The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-03-26
THE LAND BILL.

LII begins TO look as InOugn Ine Leg
islature will pass the land bill which
originated in the House early in Feb
ruary. The bill passed that body and
was sent to the Senate, where it was
freely amended, and it is again under
consideration in the House, and will,
beyond much doubt, become a law.
1t provides for the lease and sale of
lands belonging to the common
schools, the University and the
asylums. The prices fixed are infex-
ible-fve cents per acre for leased un-
watered, and ten cents for watered
lands; for sale,two dollars per acre for
the one and three for the other, and
five dollars per acre cash for timbered
lands. Lands may be leased in guam
ties not exceeding fifty sections to any
one person, firm or corpora
ton, and they may be sold
to actual settlers in tracts of not less
than one hundred and sixty, nor more
than six hundred and forty acres, ex-
cept in the case of timbt red lands,
which may be sold, not leased on any
terms, for five dollars per acre cash
for not less than one fourth nor more
than one half section. Lease money
is to be paid annually in advance and
purchase money as now-one thirtieth
in advance, the balance in thirty
years, with five per cent. interest, pay.
able annually. AS means of enforc-
ing payment for the use of grazing
lands, it is provided that a "rent
agent" be appointed, who shall visit
the lands and require persons using
them to lease and pay rental. This
feature of the bill was added in the
Senate only few days ago, arising, no
doubt from the declaration of the
Comptroller on the subject of en-
forcing leases. The Governor had
failed to recommend the creation Of
some legal tribunal to enforce the col
lection of rent for school lands in the
great unsettled Panhandle country,
until the Comptroller showed how
taxation for education might be sus-
pended under system of enforced
leases. In the Governors transmittal
of the Comptroller's letter to the Leg
islature he says: 'In my message to
the Eighteenth Legislature, L suggested
the propriety of some tribunal not
known to the present system, for the
purpose of enforcing the law in Ger
tain portions of the State" 1t may
be seen on examining that message
hat not one word was said
about new tribunals to collect
rent from school lands, or to
protect them, nor was any such object
mentioned in any of the matters SUBJ
mitted by him for legislation. Now,
when the State has lost over million
of money in rent by not having some
tribunal in the unorganized counties,
it matters not whether he be called
trent agent" or what not. The Gov
ernor comes to the front and says
81 told you So" 1t is well known
that he was opposed to any such
measure being adopted by the
Eighteenth Legislature. He and his
friends opposed the Terrell bill, which
provided for commissioner of pas
turage," and the Governor only puts
himself down on the record as not
opposing such measure after the
Senate has provided for a "rent agent
and after the Comptroller has urged
the enforcement of contracts for the
use of lands. But, aside from the
record of public pen on this question,
it is hoped tho proposed will be
adopted. IT. ort of what is nee
essary. but it is ep in the right di-
rection.