The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-13
MIR. ADAMS IMPORTANT
LAND REGISTRATION
BILL SHOULD BE LAW

I In house bill. No. 1s9. patron. MIR.
Adams. OF Charlotte county, the MEM
bers OF the general assembly of Viz
GINA. have an opportunity to enact
legislation of material Importance to
the people of the Commonwealth.
Mr.. Adams bill is commonly known
as the Torrens BILL and provides for
registration of titles to land. and the
issuance of certificates OF titles 10
same. A holder Of certificate OF
registration under the law would have
a guarantee title forever, and in max
ing transfer of the property thereafter
or In securing loans on same the ques-
ton OF the validity OF the title IL eiimi-
mated.
Under the present system, whenever
a land owner desires 10 sell or Dor.
row on his property, the first aues-
ton Is: Have you got a good title2t
This means that each transaction in-
wolves the employment of lawyer
and the bill has to be paid. The same
old titles are examined over and over
again, every time there is transac-
ton. this causing an expenditure OF
money that Is enormous This expsndi-
ture means nearly million dollars a
year and is useless tax upon the peo-
Pile which viii be saved to them by
the bill (Torrens), which McAdams ad-
vocates. The present system not only
causes great expenses but also delay
and uncertainty, for on questions OF
titles, lawyers often disagree. This
necessarily makes real estate hard and
slow TO handle, and men hesitate 10
bury capital In same.
The rural credit systems, to which
the officials in Washington are now
giving much consideration, can never
operate successfully in Virginia, until
1,t. en- To adv {1A Nc
Mr. Adams. is enacted by the legisla-
ture.
The Torrens system will make your
lands merchantable. II will convert
lands into q quick asset and render
them available as source of ready
commercial credit.
How Law Operates.
1t operates in the following man
ner;
First. A title is examined once Off
clally, and confirmed by order of court
That ends the matter, and cuts out the
endless examinations of t!tles no "
necessary. Your title Is registered, and
you have made n permanent improve
ment. which will last as long as the
law prevails. and will never cau for
hetterments or repairs.
Second. You are then given n GER
ti1cate of title, which guarantees TO
all the world that you have such title
as is set forth therein to the lands
therein descrihed---for example. a life
estate, or fee simple, in whole or
in part, free from encumhrances or
subject to such encumbrances as are
mentioned In the certificate.
The Torrens act will help the far
mers and everybody who owns real es-
tate in the country as well as in the
city.
1t will kill the business of the land
grabber In Virginia.
1t will enable the State to collect
her taxes promptly, and no mans land,
when registered can be sold for de-
linquent taxes without his knowledge.
1t will help every body who deals in
real estate.
1t wilr lessen the cost of transac-
ton in real estate. stimulate and in
crease the market, and this increase
values; and when a poor man buys a
home he will get a good title to II
and no one can take IL away from
him.
1t will promote development Of the
whole State by settling titles And it
Will invite migration, because stran-
gers will not hesitate to buy such
guaranteed titles
Shall Virginia keep up with the
procession, Or hating, lag behind?
If Virginia wishes to preserve an
honorable place in the march of pre-
gress, she must do justice to her land
owners. The spirit of our land laws