Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1866-11-17
The Landholders' Convention.

Lie LduuuOlucIh OOuNtutlOu.
The landholders of Texas who have made
the call for Convention in January next,
have been induced to do so for tho reason
that the causes from which we are all now
suffering so deeply, can only be remedied
by joint cooperation. .. "
The proposed convention is expected to
take into consideration the various means
by which our fields can be properly cult.
waited, and our rich lands brought into de-
mand, and made available to the owners
and profitable to the cultivators. If immi-
grants with means can be induced to come
here, it is proposed to offer them good lands
at very low price, as an inducement. If
they have not present means sufficient, il is
proposed that the owners shall agree and
sell small tracts to suit the parties on q
reasonable credit, being secured by deeds
Of trust, and payments to be made by such
installments as it may be easy for the pur-
chasers to make.
1t is believed that there are thousands in
the Northern States and in Europe who
would be induced by such consideration to
come here, and who have means sufficient
to do so, but not enough to pay for farms
Immediately on their arrival. But the
great trouble is how to give them this as
surance of comfortable homes in Texas, SO
Us to secure their entire confidence. With
limited means they cannot be expected to
set out for distant country with their
families, unless they have at least moral
certainty of securing homes on terms pro-
posed. Do.
To remove all doubt ii may be found nee
essary for our landholders to send out an
accreditable agent, fully endorsed as to
dent Consuls of the countries to which he
goes; this agent is to be fully empowered
to enter into contracts on behalf Of the
gentlemen composing the company, by
which contracts they will be obligated to
let the immigrants have such tracts ofland
as may be designated, and on terms at once
satisfactory, definite and accompanied by
legally binding guarantees. .r..r.
The proposed Convention is also expect
ed TO consider what Inducements they will
offer to invite to the State those who are
not prepared to pay the cost of bringing
their fami les, and would therefore be glad
to engage as laborers for the certain peri
cd in consideration Of having that expense
paid for them, and until their wages will
enable them to purchase small farms for
themselves, in the same way as above nam
ed Our future prosperity as individuals
and as STATE now mainly depends on
s,;;::..~ the rich lands Of the State d::gviideh
up into small farms as suon as possible,
and how this can best and quickest be done
will be q subject for the deiberation Of the
Convention. The fact is that probably full
ly three fourths of the people who desire
to come to Texas, and who would make
good citizens, are unable to do so without
help. This fact suggests the necessity Of
an organization among our landholders, to
aid them-the necessity of sending accred-
tied agents abroad TO give all necessary
information of our State and its undisputed
advantages, and TO enter into such stipula-
lions or contracts as may justify the i'm.
migrant in placing implicit confidence in
them. The agent should also be prepared
and authorized to invite skilled labor to
the State by showing our manufacturing
facilities, the profits attending manufac.
lures of wool, cotton, iron, etc., the cheap
ness of the raw material, the demand for
and the wages of skilled labor Of oil kinds
He should also be able to give capitalists
regard to the advantages of investments
in Texas, whether in lands or manufactur-
ing, or in internal improvements, or the
various industrial pursuits. p, ~.
The Agent should also be authorized to
make leases of farms, either Of wild lands
or such as are already under cultivation
There are few planters in Texas who have
not lands ready for the pillow, sufficient for
dozen or two small farms, and If the en-
igrant prefers to lease on shares, or in any
other way, there are few Of our planters
who would not find it tc their interest tc
lease on liberal and accommodating terms
rather than let their plantations grow W
in grass and weeds, aud their fences and
improvements 60 TO decay, as is now the
case to such an alarming extent. We
should be willing 10 do almost any thing tC
bring good emigrants TO our State. II
would be better TO give them the use Of oul
lands TO have them properly cultivated
and kept clean Of grass and the fences
kept in repair, than that they should con
rinue uncultivated.
five get good settlers In the State, w
shall be benefited by them in thousand
ways indirectly, independent Of any con-
tract. Indeed, il is impossible for them te
come here without benehtting every one oil
us, and being still more benefited them
selves. iN
The proposed Convention viii probably
also consider how information Of Texas
and tie advantages, can best be dissemina'
ted all over the world, where there are
people desiring to come here. This may
be done in various ways, but how IL car
be done most sHeoiuAlly and cheapest Il
the question: Gal. Nsrs.