Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-11-03


hcncnclarlcss Does any one hear an ob.
lection to this policy from the land spec-
ulatorsi Hardly. Tho state now has
corner on the land market in the sale of
small quantities. Although the spccu.
letors offer exactly the same lands
irom 30 10 90 per cent. less, vet
they can only sell for cash or its cquiva.
lent. The man who has 40 money canuot
OF course buy from them. The man who
has n little money buys his home on thirty
years time and puts his money IN i'm.
proycmcnts, which he would not be ahlr
TO make for a half dozen years n com.
PEELED to pay cash down for his land. The
spectators very naturally desire to break
the monopoly OF the state on the land
business. II they can so dclude the land
board or the Legislature as to have
prices Increased 10 50, or even So, an
acre they would be practically masters Of
the situation. Their own lands arr now
on the market az from 50 cents TO 81 an
acre. The settler already pays double
price for the privilege Of buying his land
ON thirty years time II She price was
trcbled he might object.
Land Spectators have been and always
were at the bottom OF the cry
Tor higher priccs---at least since the
school lands were taken of the market 20
them, Not being able 90 buy any more IN
large quantities, they are now trying TO
sell. Strange, Isn't II, that such pro-
verbally shrcwd trader as the land specu-
lator should want TO sell lands at SO cents
an acre when, by taking tho advice OF the
News to hold, he might realize $50 or SIS
an acre2
With reference 20 the watercd lands
alone, there are the best OF reasons why
they should bc put ON the market--rcas.
ons which have been given so often that
u seems unnecessary to Tostate them IL
always falls upon the poorest OF the poor
classes TO strike the first blow OF devotion
nent. They have made West Texas what
II isi have forced an acknowledgment OF
its resources from the unwilling News.
What they might have done, had cncourng.
ing legislation always been extended.
cannot be estimated. Water Is The first
essential of home. The poor man is
unable TO provide IL. II granted the
privilege Of quanlng from the abundant
stores of nature, the energies expended
here could be prolitably utilized In other
directions. Watcred lands have always
formed the nucleus OF settlements from
the day the lsraelltos entered Canaan and
there Is no good reason why'rcxaS should
seek to change the natural order OF things.
After the country Is thoroughly developed
and wealth comes TO bless Its inhabitants
water viii not be such an object, because
with money II Is easily provided. The
/ rich valley of the san Joaquin Is worth
$50 and $40 an acre, because irrigated by
/ bitches that II cost millions OF dollars TO
construct.
The News Is pronlgatc In IT, lnslnua-
tions regarding those who favor differ.
cnt land policy. IL has great deal
to say about free grass. hind
barons and bulionaircs. Not an
uncommon thing this, the pious dodge
! II the lands are reserved from snlo hy a
price which takes them beyond the rangc
of prospective purchaser, what rs TO be-
come OF themy One year ago the News
proclaimed itself opposed TO the lease
system. II has said nothing about this
latcly, but as no change OF opinion has
been announced, the presumption Is that
10 still opposes the lease. There YOU
have free grass IN its new and revised
sense free grass for the cattoman, but
utter prohibition TO the settler. II Tin,
News was not beyond all thought Of IAN
purity, sanctltcd hyu long and exemplary
career OF righteousness, lingering suS
picion might bo created that it has beer
enlisted by tie cattcmcu to fight the fur
thor settlement OF The country. When /
Is remembered, however. that IL hai
always advocated o herd law, and OF
posed all measures which the West de
sired It must br conceded that TO d Ger
tain extent the News Is consistent.
Sell the lands at such "a low figure ~
TO offer inducements TO immigration
limit the quantities to one or tWo see
lions IN order to check monopoly, unt
give the settlers grazing privileges on the
common, to obyiutc the necessity OF buy
ing and fencing in pastures, and TO pro
vide a sure support, In the early stages o
agricultural progress There Is u policy
that VIII settle the cOuutry--the highusi
aim and province OF a state. Let tn,
I people who are engaged on the side oi
the plow aud the hoe, determine whether
/ It shall be abandoned, ostensibly ful
speculative purposes, but really 10 pro
/ vide exclusive "free grass for the cuttl,
barons for long term OF years 10 come
Let not the News fret its honest soul
When IL becomes absolutely necessary
/ that II shall "lot up on the discussion ut
/ land Affairs, those interested VIII, per
/ haps, not make much ado about the mat
/ ter. The Galveston Wharf company
might be- able TO give some pointers, and
they say trip % the gulf in August Il
very pleasant,
R,A.S.
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