The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-21
NOTICE VALID
ATTORNEY GENERAL so ADVISES
AUDITOR JOHNSON CONCERNING
CLEARANCE TAX SALES
GIVES WAGNER NO CHANCE
In This Event There VIII BE No Oc-
casion for the Sheriff to Serve
the Papers, and 1t Is Estimated
That 1t VIII Save the City About
$4,000 - Commissioners Meet
Again at A p. M. Tomorrow.

At the special meeting of the board of
county commissioners yesterday, for the
purpose of considering the matter of the
special tax clearance sale law, passed by
the last legislature. the county attorney
was directed to procure from the at
torney general an opinion as to what con-
stitutes a sufficient service and report
at an adjourned meeting at p. m. to-
morrow.
After the meeting County Auditor john
son waited upon Attorney General
Douglas and received the sententious
opinion, sit Is up to you" This Mr..
Johnson CONSTITUTES to mean that he Is
sustained in his contention that the work
of serving delinquent notices upon the
owners of the 1900 pieces of unoccupieo
property in Ramsey county can be done
by the auditors Office at an expense Of
$1,000, Involving saving to the county
of nearly $40 900, which would otherwise
go to the sheriff in fees
All of the commissioners were present
at the meeting except Commissioner
Quehl, and the county attorneys Office
was represented by Assistant County At
torney Zolman. Commissioner Harry
Hardick resolved himself into an 1nqulsl-
| ton and piled Mr.. Zollman with ques'
| lions relative to the clearance sale law
and the construction to be placed upon
| It's provisions.
Everything done so far has been In
proper manner and according to law"
| said Mr.. Zoilman. 1.-THE object Of the
| law is to serve q proper notice upon the
owners and occupants. The law provides
] that the notices. In cases where the
| premises are occupied, shall be served by
| the sheriff, but there is no provision re-
garding the service in cases where the
property is vacant. / would suggest that
| the attorney general be asked for an
| opinion on the point. Certain contracts
| in relation to the sale of 1881 have been
held good"
| County Auditor Johnson suggested that
| the auditors office could send notice
| through the mail with copy of the de-
| scription The service would thus cost
| about 81, 600 in place of the S20,000 that the
! sheriff would receive In fees. The sugges-
| tion was offered that the board allow him
| 81. 600 for the purpose of performing the
| work through a. deputy auditor who could
| do the necessary work Of viewing the
| property. If not, he would turn the work
| over to the sheriff, as his office was not
fitted for performing the service required
| without extra help.
ST believe that no actlon Shoulu DC
| taken without asking the opinion OF the
| attorney general upon what would constf-
tute proper service" said Commissioner
Lott.
'The state auditor has Informed me
| that service by deputy auditors Is legal,
and that some counties have already
adopted the pran," declared Mr.. Johnson.
1t was finally decided that the county
| attorney obtain an opinion from the at
| torney general on the question, and on
| motion Of Commissioner Lott the board
adjourned until 4 o'clock Monday after
noon.
After the meeting County Auditor john
son said: 81 am convinced. from my
talk with the attorney general, that
service through my Office wNlld be as
legal as through the sheriff's office. l
am willing to accept any suggestion from
the board of county commissioners, II
they see fit to propose change OF plan.
Otherwise shall turn the matter OF serv-