TAX TITLES.
On motion by Mr. Heffren, the bill [S. 52] to amend Sections 218, 227 and 228 of an act concerning taxation, approved March 29, 1881, was read the third time.
Mr. HEFFREN spoke in favor of the passage of the bill.
Mr. WILLIAMS, of Knox, was of the opinion that the men who buy up these lands at tax sale are able to examine the title before making such purchases. He thought that the advantage should be given to the person whose land is to be sold.
Mr. ADAMS thought a man should know when he goes into the market to buy land whether or not the title is good. He was opposed to a man going into the Treasurer's office or the Auditor's office and buying land and then coming to the Legislature and demanding the return of his money with interest. He was opposed to the bill.
Mr. PATTEN did not like the feature of the bill It appeared to be too much in the interest of one class. He did not think it was a good bill, and he was afraid of it. It looked to him like it was created for the purpose of lifting some man out of a difficulty, and therefore he was opposed to it.
Mr. FRAZER believed that the persons opposing the bill did not understand its propositions.
Mr. SHIVELY said It occurred to him that this is a just proposition. The County offers land for sale under the provision of the law. Parties come and in good faith bid upon this land and purchase it. Now it seemed to him that if these parties pay their money over it is but just and fair that they should have the money back if they loose the title to this land.
Mr. MOODY: Under the present law, if a person buys up land and the title is imperfect, there is no way for him to get bis money back. This bill simply asks what is fair between the person who buys up this land and the County.
Mr. WILSON, of Kosciusko had examined the question and had given home attention to the discussion on this bill in the Senate. He desired that the tax law should be as perfect as possible. By an examination of the tax law he found that two sections are diametrically opposed to each other. He believed that this bill would remedy the defect. He was in favor of the bill.
Mr. SMITH, of Tippecanoe, was reliably informed that this is a good bill and he would support it.
The bill passed the House by yeas, 59; nays, 29.
On motion by Mr. TULEY, Mr. Huston's bill [H. R. 230] to legalize the sale of certain real estate in the town of Connersville, was read the third time. M
Mr. HUSTON stated that the State had a suit pending in the Courts at the present time for the recovery of the real estate. But he believed this was a just bill and one that should pass. He did not believe it was in the interest of the State to take real estate from parties who have paid the full value for it. It was represented to these parties that he would be perfectly safe in buying this land. He bought the land, paying the full value therefor, and he simply asked now to have the State quiet the title.
The bill passed the House by yeas, 77; nays, 10.
Mr. JEWETT, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported back the bill [S. 78] to amend Section 2 of an act to provide for the establishment of a State Bureau of Statistics and Geology with the recommendation that the bill pass with amendment. The report was concur ed in and the amendment wag adopted.
On motion by Mr. Jewett the amendment was considered engrossed, the bill was read the third time and passed the House by yeas, 66; nays 37.
On motion by Mr. GORDON, the Speaker appointed two members to inform the Senate that the House is ready to go into Joint Convention for the purpose of electing a President of the Board of Benevolent Institutions, etc.
