Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-06-01

hundred years, In this day and time
this IL long period to wait to realize
on investment that has already been
idle and useless nearly one-third of a
century. With a growing money
demand for the use of this land 1t can
not be expected that the people of
Texas will continue to pay taxes to
support schools when the same revenue
can be derived from lease of this
land; for under a voluntary lease
system without interfering with tie
settlement of the country, revenue
can be derived that will double edu-
cational facilities. 1t is true, the state
left that land for long time undis-
turbed, either by lease or sale, but this
was for the best of reasons-because
there was no demand for its lease or
purchase; but such a condition of
things no longer exists, and the sooner
we all realize the change in circum-
stances the sooner will we adapt our
selves to 1t and the less will be the in
jury done, and l believe you will find
the danger to the settlement of the
West more imaginative than real.
When the man with the hoe is ready
to stick it in the ground the ground
will be ready for him, so long as any
THE LAND BOARD.
A majority of the legislature of
which l was member believed in a
minimum rental of 4 cents per acre
because we thought that the change
in the states policy in so important a
particular should be gradual and that
we would realize more from the land
in less time. The land board no
doubt reasoned that if they got the
same money from the lease of one
half of the land, that the change would
be more gradual and satisfactory be-
cause it would leave more land open
to settlement aud free grazing for
longer time. There is in no civilized
well-settled country under the sun
owner wishes to use it or derive
revenue from it by lease, and
such thing cannot exist in Texas.
The amount of land owned by the
school fund is large when we consider
the large revenue that might be de-
rived from it annually, but is compare
lively so small that any policy pur-
sued toward it cannot materially
affect the prosperity of your growing
section. OF course there are details
that need changing and the law can
only be perfected from time to time
as its defects appear, but 1t does seem
to me that the general policy cannot
be successfully assailed.
| heartily favor the settlement of
the country by natural processes, and
would never knowingly adhere to or
favor any policy that had contrary
effect. | want to see each man, the
head of a family, have chance to
have his own vine and fig tree; but in
the name of the actual settler, would
hate to see the large herds of cattle
browsing on the "childreri's grass"
and the owners of the cattle becoming
rapidly enriched, while the children
of the state remain uneducated or re-
ceived their education by the sweat of
the brows of the thousands who own
no cattle and have none of the
children's grass convenient upon
which to Craze even their own work
horse.
The Democratic party has at all
times tried 10 do what is fair and just
to all people, and it is truer to-day in
Texas to Its principles than it is any
where else. Whenever n Democrat
goes TO the Repu olican party for COM
fort and nurture he lays himself in the
Siotio Vi ikiOhVPOiy anu SOl 10 vi III
Justice and oppression, as eXemplitied
in the tariff and thousand other
ways.
don't think that the more conser-
vative people of the West Il class
you as such and of the other sections
OF the state are far apart enthis ques-
ton, and little time and patience will
produce results satisfactory to all. The
; republican party or any new party can
afford to promise your people anything
, for before they ever have an cppor-
tunity to comply with their promises
In Texas,th necessity for the COM
pliance and your requests will have
faded from the memory even of your
selves.
J Men politically and socially as init.
! mately associated as are the majority
4 of the representatives in the legisla.
. ture, will not designedly or know.
ingly injure the interests of each
e others section of a state of which we
are all proud.
l believed full, fair and impartial
consideration of this question, in and
: out of legislative halls, by the people
the press and their representative
: faction of all reasonable men, and in
e the interest of the school fund, which
Is our common heritage.
l. l note what you say in your edito
: rial as regards the criticism of the
Q views and actions of men in public
. position, and assure you, as far as
= am concerned, that the editor who
= criticises fairly, however unfavorably
. my official acts, has my respect anC
u esteem, and no one can be more ready
to profit, or can take in better part
= such criticism. Free grass on land fol
which there is demand for the gras,
v only, means free land. Free schoo
Z land means an abuse of trust funt
y = for the constitution requires of US tt
y realize revenue from this source ant
q use it in popular education. Tn,
y senators and representatives of tn,
y West are among my most valued
+ friends, and will bear me out in til,
I, assertion that have always con
y tended for fair and just course to
. ward that section.
y hope ere the ides of January tina
y there will be satisfactory solution O
>. the entire question.
" l remain yours truly,
= BARNETT GIBBs.