The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-01
the ToRRENs TITLE SYSTEM.

After an expression of public sentiment
which, toward the close, became wide
spread and inslstent, the legislature Of
this state enacted and the governor ap-
proved a measure putting the Torrens
system of land transfer into operation
in the principal cities of the state. TIE
law was enacted last winter 1t is not
seIf-enforcing. In order that it shall
become operative action is required on
the part Of certain officials
The Glob e has repeatedly, since the
passage Of that law, urged that such ac-
ton he taken as would make it opera
tive. 1t will continue to do so until
steps are taken to prevent the law be-
ing, as it is today, a dead letter. We
are satisfied that its provisions are pro-
motive in a great degree of the public
welfare, and that it's enforcement will
among other good results, facilitate the
ownership by a much larger proportion
of the people of their own homes.
The law calls for the creation of one or
more examiners of title. Until such an
officer is created nothing can be done to
enforce the law. The most enlightened
sentiment among the dealers in realty is
now strongly in favor of its being put in
operation at once. There is no opposi-
ton to such action save such as comes
from official and public Indifference and
fiom the insurers of realty titles, and
the examiners of such titles.
The official whose duties and response
biltties are most seriously involved in tho
new system of transfer is the county
register of deeds. We 90 not pretend 10
know just how injurious1y CIR otherwise
the operation of the new system would
affect the income of the office OF Register
Fitzgerald; but we believe that gentle
man to be a capable and reliable public
official. and one who would do anything
in reason to promote the public welfare
in any direction having a Bearing on his
official obligations.
The o b e, then, appeals to Mr.. Fita-
gerald to take the initiative in bringing
the Torrens law INTO operation. If
he does he VIII be rendering a great pub
lie service. however injuriously it may
affect the revenues of his office for the
time being. His own intelligence has
told him, and his experience in his pres
ent position has no doubt, confirmed the
knowledge. that the present system of
land transfer is cumbersome insecure
and in all things unsatisfactory; that It
operates to place it beyond the man of
small means and laborious life to ac-
quire ownership of and title TO his own
homestead.
The thing required to be done first Of
all is to bring about the appointment OF
one or moro examiners of title. Register
Fitzgerald can bring this about readily if
he desires. The judges of the district
court are now in vacation, and can be
relied to give ample consideration to the
choice of such omcial or officials. IF
the matter is brought directly to the at
tention of all of them, they will at once
discharge, we believe. duty which the
law Imposes on them. and let the peo-
pie who desire it have the benefit Of a
cheap and secure system of land trans
fers.
1t is not necessary at this time to go
into the benefits Of the Torrens system.
1t is sufficient to say that all experience
shows it to be the superior of the pres
ent system in every respect. and that
the failure to put its provisions in opera
ton is an injustice to the people which
ought to be remedied. The Clio b looks
to Mr. Fitzgerald to take the necessary
steps preliminary to putting the law in
operation.