Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-06-05
REMEDIES SUGGESTED
FOR A NUMBER OF EVILS IN
COUNTY AFFAIRS.
RY BYRON MILIETT,

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county officers, if I had anything to
offer in the way of change concern.
ing the county's business, l should
make my intentions manifest. My
answer is, might suggest many
things, but if l should enter very
much into details, it would occupy too
much space for newspaper article
and leave much unsaid, which ought
to be noted. Moreover, it is evident
that any suggestions which the writer,
or for that matter, any one else, might
make in that behalf, will not avail
very much; that the people are too
contented; they think, they see too
much prosperity in sight; it is natural
for man to chase delusions, no matter
how shadowy."
1t has been remarked, that it is too
soon to agitate such matters, that the
defects in our county governmental
system can only be remedied by legis-
lation that the time to discuss reme-
dies is when members of the legisla.
ture shall be chosen. 1t seems to me,
that the time is now opportune to can
vass propositions of that kind; for if
We shall wait till the campaign is on,
everything of local feature will be
brushed aside; then, Hurrah boys for
Teddy and prosperity" the needs OF
the taxpayers will not be considered
" y little bis;" the boodler and yellow
dog will 90 in with the rest. Then
comes the legislative session; an U. S.
Senator is to be elected, TO which
every other interest will be sub-ordi.
mated, and at the end the people will
find themselves in the soup" always
forgetting, never learning. Some
times, / think it serves them about
right, if they are too ignorant, or in
different, to look after those matters
that most concern them and their
families, take the words and promises
of politicians, who have no intention
of fulfilling. All they want is votes,
and they lie to their constituents to
get them:
Whoever can make two ears OF
corn, or two blades of grass, to grow
upon . spot of ground where only one
grew before" deserves better of man.
kind, and does more essential service
to his country. than the whole race Of
politicians put together.
Perhaps, at this time . few hints
with regard to county officials may not
come amiss; like unto seeds cast by
the way side, few of which may fall
on fertile ground. Let US briefly con-
slider the Treasurer's Office, who is
compelled to keep large clerical force
to make out the delinquent tax lists /;
certificates of delinquency must be
issued separately on each distinct tract.
or parcel of land bid in by the county,
on which there may be delinquent
taxes; then notice must be prepared
requiring much labor and great ex.
pense before publication is made,
which is no uncomfortable item. All
of which must be borne by the tax.
payers of the county, or to speak more
accurately by those who pay their
taxes then come foreclosure proceed.
ings and sales Of the delinquent prop
erty. The title acquired by the pur-
chasers becomes problematical; a. the
notice under which the proceedings
, were had in numerous instances is
likely TO prove defective. for many rea.
sons, among the most prominent Of
which, is the wrong party a. owner is
indicated in the original process; then
the point is made that the owner can
not be deprived of his property with.
out due process Of law" and it is
found that no title has been conveyed.
Still the county has been sorely
cinched, and what are we going to do
about itf It would seem, that there
ought to be some remedy to save all
this cost and expense. Unless some
thing shall be done in that line, as
we'll a. in other directions, is the
future, especially, in hard times, which
Uncle Mark Hanna is predicting with
great deal OF fervor, we might just
Is we'll throw up our hands, let the
county own the property and become
the landlord, collect the rents where it
can, and make the repairs, which will
serve as an object lesson in Socialism
OF one kind, Of which many Of our
Republican friends seem fearful, es.
pecially their paid agents in the court
house.
"All roads lead to Rome" The
number of delinquent tracts on the
county's records is great, and ought
to set us to thinking, as to how
a change may be brought about. 1t
goes without saying, that if We lessen
the public expense, We decrease the