The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-08-16
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE LAND
GRAB .--LES>ONS FOR THOSE
WHO MAKE LAWS

The action Of Governor Hubbard in
bringing the matter of land grabs prom
inently before the PUBLIC, it is hoped,
VIII prove q state benefit. The Caney
and Bernard certificates, lately issued,
have intrlnsically as much merit as
many others issued in advance of them,
and against which not breath of legal
objection aas baeu raised. Opposition
to this bill was presented by the
STATESMAN when il was introduced in
the Legislature, and from time to lime
we have commented upon it. Had
Gpyernog Hubbard heen In the Exec-
utiye chair two years ago and had he
followed up course similar to the one
he now pqrsues, the provisions OF this
bill would never have been acted upon.
He would probably have paused to con-
slider when the enormities of such
measures were presented, COR ,hey were
presented time and again in these very
columns. An extract from a compre-
heusive editorial in the Daily STATES.
NAN of July %, 1870, reads.
II sFATesaAs has, upon several oa-
easious, referred to the charaC CT of the
bill passed at the last session of the
Legislature for clearing out Oyster
creek, the Bernard river, and Csney
creek, and those who place any value
upon the landed iHterest Of the State
dare lot pass over this measure with
out rejecting upon the miserable uses
and purposes into which legislatures
are often led. We have heretofore
given an insight into the motiYes which
pleced this Eill tefoEe the Legislature,
and finally secured its passage. It was
begotten Tor private ends, passed with
out due consideration, and It's provis-
ions have been executed with bind
ness to justice and decency which re-
quires more than passing notice.
The bill was first introduced in the
House by the menber FROM hraSoria,
and az attempt uade to rush 1t through
as an appendage to another bill then
about 20 pass. Several members, how
ever, being Immediately p.sted upon
the enormities Of the proposition, the
bill was rejected. 1t slumbered until
an opportuue moment, zot long before
the end of the session, when it was iu-
troduced in the Senate. passed imme-
distely without due inquiry, aud upon
the heels OF the session was brought
into the House aad rushed through, IL
is presumed, without recognition. The
Governor, without delay, signed the
bill, made the pecessary commissions,
and huge land gobble, without con.
sideFation, the result.
Had such warnings as this, fre'
quently given, bseu heeded before tbs
work now dIsputed upoI waa done,
the conflict now gong on in the exec
tive department Of the State govern
ilIent would never have been produced.
And yet after these warnings the con
ract for Oyster creek, the most glar-
sg ImproprietY of them all, was car
RED cut, and certificates for eight sec
sioEs Of land per nile we're readily
granted aud remained nndisRdted. i
an issuance of certificates by the land
oommissloner, upon q lsw complies
With, Gan be made nall snd void, theI
certainly Governor Coke shsEld hayI
seen that the Law was never carried out
sach would have been charitable. snd
Il the question now raised be lega
one il would have been supported ;.
justice. But, like the Naecss scheme