When you buy land you buy from the county only.  If you wish to purchase a lot or plot from another party who is willing to sell, the two parties concerned go to the chief real estate agent who is an official of the county and has charge of the county diagram.  The former owner or title-holder, upon establishing his identity, releases to the county his claims and surrenders his title on condition that he receives the sum agreed upon between the two parties.

The county agent then issues a new title to the new purchaser.  It is a simple common-sense document completely describing the new owner, his relatives and his station.  Thus each purchaser has his own title from the county and it is guaranteed.  Under this admirably simple system disputes as to titles are rare and can scarcely occur; but if any should arise, the county takes the defense and bears all expense of litigation.

No counter claim is even heard after a title is five years old.  Thus it is impossible to resurrect an old buried claim and rob an innocent owner who purchased and paid for his ground in good faith.

In transferring real estate no lawyers are required.  Several persons, however, must witness the execution of the deed.

The county publishes a journal, monthly, stating the owner of each lot or plot number in the county.  This is furnished free to each land owner.

All credit to Tor-tu for these common-sense regulations!  Our laws covering this field are heathenish compared with the statutes of this far distant world.  There no man loses his real estate by the awakening of a sleeping title, and if this could happen he would be fully reimbursed by the county.

In our world some titles are as clear as mud.  Often we pay a large sum to have the records examined and even then a purchaser has no assurance of non-interference.  Here it is even possible to buy a lot, build a home, and five or fifty years afterward have it sold by some one who proves a prior claim on the land.  No such foolishness, or child-play in the guise of legal dignity, is countenanced in Tor-tu.

The whole civil system of this sphere is superior to ours.  A person who violates the law is not treated to free boarding and lodging in a well heated and lighted building, as is quite prevalent in our world, but is compelled to enter profitable labor under strict surveillance.  Any prisoner becoming rebellious and refusing to work is dealt with severely.  If he is still insubordinate, he is placed on the revolving wheel of death until his stubborn will is broken, or he falls fatigued into the jaws of steel.

This convict labor does not compete with the regular ranks of honest toil.  The main work of criminals is farming, and the products of these farms support not only the criminals, but their families as well.  What is produced beyond that is sold at market price and the proceeds are applied to current expenses of the county.