Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-03-01
ToRRENs SYSTEM FOR s. G.
Land Titles Bearing Seal of the State
Cannot BE Questioned.
(The State, 21st.)

~ hS OlstS, g lpI.J
The registration of land titles, as
provided in the bill by Messrs. Carey,
II. II. Harris and l.. M. Rogers, re-
Gently enacted, is voluntary on the
part of the petitioner. Once secur-
ed, however, the title bearing the
seal of the State cannot be ques-
toned; or if questioned, no addi-
ticnal expense IS incurred by the
holder who is protected under an
assurance fund.
TO register q title under this Tor
rens system holder of land must
petition the county court Of common
pleas, which Is given competent ju-
risdiction In the matter. The petit
ton must bo accompanied BY q list
of all persons interested in the land
for which a title is desired, includ-
ing the names Of the adjoining own
ers. This petition is then referred
to three or more licensed attorneys,
who have been appointed by the
Clerk of Court as examiners Of titles.
If the title appears to be good, sum-
mons are issued Through the sheriff
on all parties named in the petition,
thereby making them defendants.
Advertisement in a newspaper Is
also required. If any of the defend
ants Ale an answer then a hearing is
held by the examiner of titles, who
must render decision within 80
days. If any defendant files a dis
claimer it relinquishes him and all
persons thereafter claiming under
him. Right of appeal is granted.
Aussurance Fund.
Upon a title being declared valid,
the register of mesne conveyances
files the original certificate in the
ton and issues a duplicate to the Pc
titioner. The owner of the land
then pays one-tenth of 1 per cent Of
the assessed value Of the land for
taxation for an assurance fund, out
Of which the owner may secure COM
pensntion in case of grievances aris-
ing.
Every decree rendered shall
bind the land and bar all persons
claiming title thereto or interest
therein" the bill provides. "Shall
quiet the title thereto and shall be
forever binding and conclusive upon
and against all persons, including
the State OF South Carolina, whether
mentioned by name in the order Of
publication or Included under the
general description, to whom, 1T may
concern 1t shall not be an excep-
ton to such conclusiveness that the
person Is am infant, lunatic or is un-
der any disability" The act be-
comes effective May 1, 1916.
Urged by Manning.
This measure, providing for the
Torrens system of land registration.
was passed by the Lower House at
the 1915 session and by the Senate
this year; 1t was advocated and its
passag ge urged by Governor Manning
i'm his annual message to the General
Assembly.
The Torrens system was first in
troduced in Southern Australia in
1868; it's benefits and prospects
were noticed by other countries.
which have since adopted it. In the
Canadian provinces the system Is
practically compulsory; similar sys
TENS are In operation in England.
Wales and Germany.
In the United States Illinois ad-
opted the system in 1895, and has
since been followed by California,
Massachusetts. Minnesota, Colorado,
Washington, New York, Philippine
Islam ds and Hawaii, largely under the
local option feature.