The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-15

I y
floor to Mr.. Chambers, of Tarrant,
who spoke in support of the reSolu-
! ton and read the following state
ments, by Commission Gross: Aggre-
ate amount of school land, estimated
in August 81, 1874, I75,594, 500 acres;
amount taken up sc, 1866, 766, no claims
against 1922, 793, total, IT'S 1850.
In Janury, three months after Gov.
to the legislature that there were 10
Gated alternate sections of lands by
| railroad and other corporations and
| dedicated to common school fund
36,070 sections of $40 acres-23, 100000
acres. Also 500 leagues of 442S acres
l-2,214,OO0 acres. And then he eSti-
mated that one-half of the public do
main set aside to the public school
fund at not less than 35,0O0,OOO acres,
making, he says, 60,314 900 acres.
The constitution of 1875 rededicated
One-half of the public land to the COM
mon school fund.
On August 81, 1882, according to the
commissioner of the land Office, page
of report, there are only 33,072, 900
acres, and that there has been sold
only about 100000 acres, leaving
| about Z9,UIZ,UUO acres.
What, Mr.. Chambers asked, has be-
come of the difference between Gov.
Coke's estimate of January II, 1875,
6O,314, 900 acres, and the commission
er's estimate of August 81, 1882,
33,072,OOO, amounting to 27,242y 600
acres of land?
Mr.. Chambers argued that this was
matter which the house ought GER
tainly to investigate with view to
reinvest the state. This legislature
can't afford to go home and say they
did not know what has become of it.
Will they do it?
Mr.. Patton, of johnson, said: hope
this resolution will be adopted. A
similar resolution to this was adopted
in the house a few days ago, but was
rejected in the senate.
The gentleman from Denton, who
introduced the first resolution and
who is the author of this, fully real
ICES Importance of the object he has
in view.
The object of this resolution is that
this house shall exercise its right
| without the concurrence of the SEN
ate and appoint an investigating COM
mittee to ascertain whether fraud has
not been perpetrated upon the state
by purchasers of school lands.
| Under the law as it has existed,
and before the school lands were
withdrawn from market, no person
could purchase less than 160 acres nor
more than three sections of $40 acres,
within five miles of the geographical
center of any county, or upon any
water front, nor more than seven
sections at any other place.
| 1t is known, sir, or at least it is
strongly suspicioned, that land sharks
and land spectators have bought up
all they were allowed to purchase I'M
der the existing law, and then
through the names of fictitious per-
sons bought large number of addi-
tional sections. If this is true. it is
palpable fraud practiced upon the
state and should not be tolerated.
If this resolution is adopted the
committee appointed will investigate
and report the result of their investi-
cation to this body, and then the
house can take such steps as may be
deemed advisable to recover perhaps
thousands of acres, fraudulently pur.
chased. 1t is fundamental maxim
of the land that fraud vitiates every
contract into which it enters
We have heard it frequently
said since the action of thi.
legislature in reference to the schoo
lands, shall we have simply locked
the stable door after the studs WERE
stolen 2"
The object Of the resolution is to
appoint a committee to search fol
the stolen studs, and from all 1 car
learn, it is more than probable that il
said committee cannot recover thu
stolen studs, they can and will report
how many of them can be found.
The resolution, if adopted, can dc
no harm, and may do gread deal OF
good. | trust the resolution will bt
adopted.
The resolution of Mr.. Kendall wa.
again adopted.
Bills were introduced and referred
as follows:
BY Mr.. Durant: To regulate wear
ing of arms.
| Mr.. Davis, of Camp: To diminish
civil and criminal jurisdiction of thu
county.
| Mr.. Phelps: To amend the act grant
ing certificates to railroads, approved
April %, 1882.
| Mr.. Douglass: To protect mill anC
material men.
Mr.. Nash: To better secure preser
walton of records of tax sales.
Mr.. Leo: To diminish jurisdiction
of Webb county.
Mr.. Douglass: To protect persons il
making advances for supplies on
timber.
Mr.. Barrett: To prevent prosecu
ton of a party for two or more often
SEES ut one time.
Mr.. Taylor: TO make telegraph cor
porations subject to requirements IL
common carriers.
Mr.. Thompson, of BeXar: To ere
ate and organize Grim inal jurisdic
ton for Bexar county, and conform
same to that of the district.
Mr.. Chenoweth: For relief of inc
w. Thompson, who fell at the storm
J ing of the Alamo.
The speaker assigned various sen
ate bills to proper committees.
Mr.. Upton called up the bill to al
low the secretary of the board o
educate u clerk at 500 month unit
such time us the general appropriation
J bill shall pass.
: The rules were suspended aud tn
bill passed to engrOssment, wheI
, there not being a sufficient number O
, members voting ON its final passag,
} the house adjourned till 10 a. IL
: Monday.
Mr.. Garrison was ready, he state
: to the house, to present his repoI
upon the condition of the peniteI
tiaries. but was prevented by adjourn
ment.