The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-15

support of his substitute. He re-
viewed the features of the several
dis, and contended that his substi-
tute would more effectually protect
the pubic domain, and at the same
time open the lands to actual settlers,
and prevent their being bought and
acquired by purchasers in large
bodies, by land monopolists. To this
end his bill proposed to limit pur-
chaseS TO 64O acres of agricultural
lands, and sales on long time, from
five TO twenty years, TO suit pur-
chasers, and instead of selling pasture
lands to reserve them from sale, and
lease them for not less than three or
over ten years.
This last feature of leasing would,
he argued, measurably protect the
public domain, so much of which had
been sacrificed, and would augment
the magnificent school fund of TN
state, which to-day, he said, was worth
S6O,OOOOOO, notwithstanding the spo-
liations to which il had been sub
jected. The rent from leasing would
give us half as much as the interest
from sales would, while IL would give
us the advantage Of holding them to
improve in value, for the benefit of
the university, free school and asylum
funds.
Mr.. Robertson made an able argu-
ment, eliciting some applause. Un-
der his substitute watered agricultural
lands shall not be sold for less than
80 per acre, and unwatered for not
less than 50 per acre. All sales are TO
be Tor cash, or on a credit with inter.
est from five to twenty years, as
stated. For the purpose of carrying
these and other provisions of the bill
II provides Tor an educational land
department. Rates of interest: 3 per
cent for five years; per cent for ten
years; per cent for fifteen years. and
. per cent fof twenty years.
Mr.. Davis, of Lamar, said the policy
of leasing had been suggested by
Commissioner Walsh before the legis-
lature met. He could not indicate
what was the best policy for the state,
but his idea as a lawyer would be To
sell on long creeit and reasonable
terms of interest.
Mr.. Robinson, of Jack, argued that
1t was not so much our duty to lock
after the interest of emigrants as the
| immediate wants of our children for
school advantages.
Mr.. Moursund spoke as to the fea-
lures of the several bills. He liked
some of the provisions of the senate
bill and some of the Browning bill.
AS to the policy of leasing, he argued
that 1t was not so desirable as was
commended. The stockmen, it was
true, had said in their late convention
that all the pasturage lands could be
leased, but at a price two cents) which
he contended was too cheap to
amount to much benefit. Besides this,
settlers would prefer buying to leas-
ing, so that they could have and i'm
prove homes of their own.
| Mr.. Nash in the chair.
Mr.. Browning spoke at length in
support of his bill, the features of
which have already been explained,
when the bill was.discussed on pre-
vious occasion. The prices fixed in
the bill are:
For watered agricultu-
raj lands. ........... $500 per acre.
Unwatered agricultu-
| raj lands ..........., $50
Watered grazing lands 1.50
Unwatered grazing
lands. .....,......... LOO
| 1t provides for county boards of APP
praisers.
Pending Mr.. Browning's remarks
the house adjourned.