The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-04-16

raise family, would accept such
land as gift if he is
compelled to live upon it. He has adj
joining him neighbor who may have
leased 100000 acres, because that neigh
Dor happens tn have money. He him
self may have the means to pay for
home of two or more sections, but his
government will not allow him the priv
ilege. This is not happy cOntempla-
ton for that individual, or calculated to
inspire patriotic regard either for
tho laws under which he lives
or his native or adopted
acre man is not so durable, but he may
renew when his first term expires. BY
the 10th section the original pur-
chaser may sell after three years. He
may sell TO anyone who will go on the
land and occupy it. This Vendee may
be the head of family, or he
may not. Proof of settlement
may be made by the sub.vender.
This bill recites an act making 1t penal
offence TO occupy any Of the lands
named without authority, and yet ID
gives TO particular parties 60 days over
other and unotfending citizens in which
to deliberate and prepare to purchase.
II is admitted that large bodies of these
lands are now held in defiance of ana in
secret violation OF the act OF 1881, and vet
the bill under consideration gives such
tresspassers and violators Of the law
preference over other people in buy ing
and leasing, / do not think IL correct
public policy to thus offer premiums 20
those who defy the authority Of the
state. The 25th setti II ~. =
vidGs for one OF the clerks in the gen
oral land Office TO act as a rcnt agent,
but there is no machinery
provided TO enable this person 70
collect tie rent, Besides, tho
bill provides that the renter shall
pay up or suffer his contract to be de.
clorod forfeited. But this agent is TO
see that no one uses these lands with
out authority, Here, again, tho power
rs not given him TO perform this duty;
but even il 1t wor0, tits wholly foreign
To tho caption and the purpose of the
blll TO require one OF tho clerks 10 500
tnat no one violates tho act passed
nj the extra session OF 1851, and
reclted In this act. The 2DJh section
provides for selling the timber at So Der
acre. Now, lands may have timber
suitable for shingles and lumber, bur
the quantity may not DO worth 81, and
yot 1t casnOt be sold unless it (the tim
ber brings 50 per acre. The
Both section restricts the sale
OF lands having timber suit
able for lumber or shingles to actual
settlers for So. Here again, one Soc
ton may have upon or over il some
timber such as Ia described, yet not suf.
to make 1t worth more than 81
per acre, but the purchaser, if he do
slres to settle on il, must pay 81 Tor
the land. By the last section the small
tracts OF lands in organized
no
be remembered that this is q constitu-
tional objection to the bill that pointed
out IN The beginning of these remarks.
ihese lands do not belong to any Of the
institutions named, in the canton,
Again, these strips or small tracts will
furnish thousands Of small hOmesteads
for humble people, and should be iesl-
ously guarded. Our constitution still
onsrsp pre- omption FREQ. Adjoining these
tracts may DO men who own their
leagues, ana half or quarter
leagues, ahd yet they are giv0n
preference TO acquire more over the
man without an aero and without n
nome III we restrict purchase In the
northwest to one section, no good rea.
son can be giyon for allowing those
who have comfortable homes, with
thousands OF acres purchased already,
10 urchase the small tracts alluded
TO, and thus add to their abundance
IN preference to the poor
and deserving settler who tolls 10
build himself and his little
means OF existence and a simple roof
| tree which he loves To call his home.
But apart from all reasons thus far
assigned, thore is one general objection
70 the bill that becomes pstgnt toni on
a moments reflection. The watered
sections, where the great bulk of those
lands are situated, 10 cattle raisers CON
sutute the chief value OF All.
ana no valid excuse can be offered
Tor placing the Waterod lands on the
market at " per acre. Give me control
OF the watered and l will be virtually
the owner OF all the surrounding coun-
lrp' II access cannot DO had TO streams
inc lands will romain ireo TO
those who control the waters.
IL requires no stretch Of the
Imagination 20 see that n
Is buta few years, If this bill should he
como "A law, until large capitalists
would own the waters and command
all the balance. Thus IL would result
that the only benolit the schools, tho
university or the asylums would ever
get out OF Texas lands would come from
TIE waterod sections al So
pOr acre. Tho present law IL
unWieidy and awkward, but under it's
operation the schools, tho university
and tho asylums VIII remain Tor tie
next two years tho owners of tho lands.
including the waters, subject to tho dis.
position OF future legislatures, provided
the land board should not dispose of
thenl, ana think ia infinitely salor
and better, having conscientious re-.
gard for all interests Of the state, 10
leavo Thorn In this condition than sub.
lect them TO the veNatious uncertainties.
inevitable dangers, unjust discrmina.
ions and useless litigation In which
the bill now before me, however WELL
moaning itmsy be, would uuquos.ion-
ably, invest them.
In TESTIMONY etc.
JONI IRELAND,