The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-08
PASS THE roRRFNs BILL.

PASS THE ToRRESS BILL
II fhe week that is before the General Assem-
blv much NAV be done Il Tho Assembly has a.
mind 10 work. Not the least contribution that
the body has he opportunity Of making towards
bringing. 10 pas better conditions In Virginia is
the chance 10 pass The bill providing for the
application in Virginia Of The Torrens system
If land registration.
That a bin so obviously meritorous has so
long been prevented from passage does MOI
speak exceptionally well for Virginia. We are
accustomed 20 de things here because We are
convinced of their merit. not because they are
either new or cid Because we have refused to
be led asfray hy much of the new that is not
meritorious We yirginians have been denomi.
mated conservative ny the radicals, and because
We have adopted without regard to Its age that
Of the new which gives clear evidence of merit
q, ifs own We have been denominated radical by
come who are conservative.
The Torrens bill in its present form is not
the best that might be drawn. This Is so for
several reasons. but chiefly for the shape IN
which it is presented There Is 10 valid reason
why. if the new system OF land registration is
10 be introduced in the State. 1t should not be
introduced for all the State alike. The bill now
before the House committee provides that the
law shall apply to certain counties OF the State
If they Of their own volition. decide TO apply it.
We should prefer TO have a general Statewide
law. that would insure to all Virginia all the
benefits of the Law. However, as those who In
troduced the bill reason TO believe that Mt
this session only such bill that which was
presented would he considered VIC do not feel
that our support Of If or the votes of members
or the Legislature which We trust will be cast
for il should be aiieaated because everything
that we or they might desire IS not provided
by the bill.
The Torrens system provides, In brief. that
there shall be only official examination OF
the title to a given piece of land and that this
examination, when presented to- approved by,
and authorized by court of law. shall guar
antee the title TO be correct thereafter. In the
past in the present, and in the future, II this
hill does not pass, every time sale OF land is
made no matter how short period has elapsed
since the last sale and the last examination Of
title the owne- of the land is put 10 the expense
OF having the title OF the lana iooheu up py LAW
GERS with the consequent fees for the work, and
he resulting heavy charge the owner OF the
land.
For ourselves We see no good reason why
srv member Of the Assembly should oppose such
4 bill 1t Is intended In the interest of the great
majority Of Virginia citizens. In fact no land
owner in Virginia would be injured by the nil,
End ALI would be aided. Should there be any
member OF the legal profession. although We do
not believe there are such members In reputable
standing who would oppose a bill as this so
manifestly to the best interests OF the State,
we would merely have to point out TO him that
his generation at least is liable 10 profit by the
very general examination and registration OF
titles that would take place II the Torrens sys'
tan lis adopted in Virginia But have
stated we hay@ 100 hieh regard for the mem
hers Of this great profession to believe that any
member OF n would oppose Just and admi-
rabIe system merely for the sake OF pecuniary
advantage due 10 more frequent examination
of titles.
We do not ser repeat any good reason why
he Legislature this week cannot. and should
rot pass this bill viii the Legislature do so?