The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-14
TUESDAY, APRIL a, 1908.
N. NO } !, / ACTION.

fss NOW FOR ACTION.
3 One Of the most important measures 'e'f'H'l
before this General Assembly, Is that n
Known as Senate bill No. 1885, intro
sRauced In February by Senator Mc1lwainea.
81 PetersburgS for tho establishment e OF :
1.-THE Torrens System OF Land Reglstrra-
n Honfsin Virginia. It IS n great PUBIC l1
VI measure because It affects the material
Il development OF the whole Common wea lth
AZ and the interests Of ill Its citizens; and
a it{ ID most important Mt this time, Pc Pc
! cause now Is the opportunity, while al oil
our statute laws are being revised and
q new Code is being made, to amend
our antiquhted land laws and to IN IN
corporate modern methods into the gen
eral bouy5 Of our laws. The ToTrens
system has been thoroughly tested and
has been proven to meet every prac-
tical and theoretical requirement. OF the
busy age in which we live. ut was frs; first
adopted In South Australia in 1858.
& Queensland took 81 up in 1851 Victoria
nj and New South Wales followed the lead
In 1862; Tasmania In 1868; New Zealand
and British Columbia in 1870; West AUS
tralia in 1874; Manitoba and Ontario In
II 1856. N ii 565
The course pursued by England Is most
& Instructive. IN 1862 some Of the features
81 the system were introduced by what
e IS known IS Lord Westburys act; and
In 1876 many other features were en-
4 bodied In what IS known as Lord Cairns
act. Subsequently the House Of Com
mons appointed a learned committee to:
make a thorough examination OF the sys-
tenn, and after fully Investigating the
subject this committee made an able
report in 1880 recommending 1t in all Its
( details. But with that conser ~ z. t l!r
which has always marked her course It
was not until 1897 that England more
completely made the Torrens System her
own by comprehensive act OF Parlia-
ment. And so pleased has she been with
II, that in 1900 Parliament appropriated
( 81 1926, 900 for the erection OF n Land Reg
istry Office In Lincoln s. Inn-Fields. Tn
1900. also, registration was made compul-
sorry in the County Of London, and It
has been compulsory In the city OF Lon
don since May 1, 1901. i
In the United States tho Torrens sys-
tenn has been for some years in operation
in Illinois. California, Massachusetts,,
y Oregon and Minnesota. It has been In
operation In the Philippines since Novcml-
her g. 1909. and will soon go Into effect
a in Hawaii. while preparations are also
Z being made for It's Introduction into Porto
Rico. In Colorado the Legislature has
lust passed a Torrons act. drawn by
Hon. Edward T. Taylor, president Of the
state Senate; and the matter Is pending
before the present Legislature Of Miclr-
,gan some'1legislative action. has also
been taken on the subject in Iowa, Ne
traska. Rhode Island. and Wisconsin,
while 1t is under discussion in the Bar
Association OF twelve other States, to-
wit: Georgia. Kentucky. Maine, Missouri.
n New York, North Dakota, Pennsyl-
ranla, Tennessee Texas. Washington and
West Virginia, And information has re-
Gently been received that the matter will
presently be brought before the Legisla-
lure OF North Carolina.
The Virginia bill has been drawn by the
chairman Of the committee appointed BY
Joint resolution of the General Assem-
bly, on February 15, 1901 1t has been sub
mitted to some of the leading experts and
highest authorities in the United States
a on this subject and has received their
Il commendation. 1t ought to be promptly
reported and passed by the General AS
ia sembly. IT can be demonstrated that the
bin will not impose any burden on the
State. but will actually bring in revenue.
after paying all costs OF administration.
1t has no compulsory requirements for
4 registration but leaves 1t optional with
every landowner, whether or not he vii
take advantage of its provlslons 1t OF,
fers a cheap and, desirable method Of
4 clearing titles; 1t will enable men to dea
quickly cheaply. and certainly with rea
estate: 1t will encourage investments II
lands, and by creating a greater demand
q, II will add to their market value; 1t vii
enable men TO use their lands as basi.
az cash credit, and VIII thereby increase
the banking capital Of the country; ant
these things will all tend to encourage
immigration and to build up the vast
places and develop the resources OF tn
state. The bill will come up before tn
House Committee on Courts of justice
"Wednesday evening, and should be favor
ably reported without delay,
II =-====------z==-=-=
Isl THE NEGRO AND EDUCATION
The Rev, Or. S. A. Steel, formerly O
a