Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-09-09

| months ago the defense was arrogant,
uncompromlsing Its primary object
was almost universally asserted to he a
revenue for the sch FOOLS. and the West
ern country declared tit for grazing
purposes only. Watered lands were
withdrawn from sale, but left open to
lease, Sales were only possible to set
tiers through competition. The in
crease in the lease price was boldly de-
clared TO be for the sole purpose of aug
mentlng the amount Of revenue to
arise from the lease.
How is it to-day after six months of
agitation? After an agitation that has
been persistently pursued despite
obloquy and calumny? How is it to-
day? There is no opposition in all
Texas TO the Democratic ticket nomi-
mated at Houston, and yet that ques-
ton which was derlsively denied to be
an issue, that question which so many
fiippant scribBIers declare was killed
at Houston, is to-day the paramount,
the engrossing, the only issue before
the people.
Free grass men as well, certainly,
as lease law men knew there was no
power in state convention to annul
laws, but the object of "free grass
men was to insure agitation to leave
the people of Texas 10 discuss this ques.
ton and not leave it to the shifting
theory Of any legislature or other body
Of men, and this agitation has been
secured. The disposition Of the
public lands of Texas is of
sufficient Importance surely to meri.
discussion-and it IS being discussed.
Free grass" men were reviled, rid
iculed "sat down onn at Houston, If
you please but for all that the dis
cussion goes on, and will go on until
the right trlumphs. The victory Is
practically won now. All that sin
-ere anti-lease men strove for is ac-
eomplished, Men to whom free grass
was an incident, not an object, sub.
mitted with patience to being called
organs of bullionaires and commun-
lists and fence-cutters that agitation
might be secured. The candidates for
the two highest offices in the state can
not make speeches without discussing
the disposition OF the public lands
and yet men say free grass"
is dead. If free grass" was never an
issue, is dead issue, why these dis
cussions all over Texas Free grass"
was but representative term inter
ested organs and politicians insisted
that it was the prime object of
'kingsn and "barons," but the discus.
sion goes on. But what is the sub
stantial progress of-his dead issue
The very convention that ''sat down"
on II inserted this plank
We believe that the schools and gen
eral interests of our state will be best
subserved by the leasing of said lands
until such time as they may be pur-
chased by actual settlers at reasona-
BILE price fixed by law, without compe-
tition and in such manner as not to
retard the development and prosperity
Of the frontier.
"Free-grass" men, conscious of the
motive that inspired them, can afford
to smile at the proviso, AMI the same
convention expressed its opposition TO
"A herd law, albeit we are told there is
no herd law to fight The Houston
Post, the firm adherent of the leasing
system and the state administration
is moved to say:
Now the questionis who shall decide how
the lands can be leased without retarding
me settlement OF the frontier, the land board
or the Legislature Either may be conpe
tent, but the Post regards the laitor as the
more proper aad satisfactory, aud the only
point to be decided Is whether the land
board has the right To deny To those desiring
1t the privilege OF leasing the lands. Ifthif
be decided in the affirmative then the Posi-
is Of opinion that It would give more general
satisfaction 81 the whole matter be relegated
TO the legislature. OF course the cattlemen
viii demur to such action by The board, but
aiter the course they have pursued IN the
iree-grass campaign their objections are emit
tied to small considerations. IL Is only about
, four months until the legislature conyenes
and the interest OF no one viii
very likely suffer in the meantime. SO ial
as the members OF the board are concerned
q the language of the platform Is in exact ao
cofdance with their views, and suspension
fop rauons win be no sort Of reflection
upon themselves. Taking another view O
e the ca e, such action would, In great meas
: nre, satisfy the people OF the Northwest, by
convincing them that tho effort will be mad,
to carry out the Injunction In The platform
: while It would ada strength to the state tick e
/ by Withdrawing It's members from ihe posi-
q ton OF factors Ia the settlement OF the ques
: tion. and leaving the free grass people nj
> open field To fight for members OF the legls
: laturo.
II The slur at cattlemen can be over
h looked, as the Post simply shows tn,
!. prejudice that has aetuated so many il
e this discussion. In addition TO thi
d progress as shown by the Post, proml
If nent speakers now tell us that the Ian,
II board raised the price In order to prt
rant the lands from being all leased