Page:Handbook for Boys.djvu/369

348 administration of the county court, usually called the probate court. This latter proceeding is in the case of the owner's death when his property is divided by the court and distributed to the heirs—the family or other relatives according to his will; or in case no will is left the law provides for the manner of its distribution.

The Register of Deeds: County Court House The record title, therefore, of all real property is to be found in the office of the register of deeds in the county court house. It makes no difference what kind of real property it is, acre property or city property, here the title of ownership is always to be found, the books of record being always open to the public. Thus when one buys a piece of real property, a home for instance, he-should receive from the owner a deed and an abstract of rifle, which is a paper showing the title as it appears on the records, and this rifle when not vouched for as perfect by an abstract rifle company, should be passed upon by a lawyer in order that any flaw or defect therein may be made right before the deed is passed from one owner to another. In some states, however, the law does not require the owner to furnish an abstract. When the title is proved or pronounced good, the deed should at once be placed on record.

Personal Property Personal property is that form of property which in general terms is stated as movable, such as animals, furniture, clothing, tools, implements, money, stocks, bonds, mortgages, etc., the transfer of which from one owner to another is not as a rule a matter of public record, although in the case of a bill of sale—sometimes made of some forms of personal property—the county record may .give evidence thereof. Therefore it is, that in the matter of taxation, the tax record or assessment comes under two general heads—a tax on real property and a tax on personal property.

Property and Government It is desirable to be a property owner so long as the government under which one lives protects one in his property ownership. The government must do two things: it must protect the person and his personal rights as a citizen, and it must also protect property and the fights of property ownership from enemies within, as from without. In order that this may