The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-09-19
FRAUDS AND VIOLATED LAW IN
WEST TEXAS.

WEot tGHNS-
The reports of tie commissioners
recently sent into Northwest Texas
indicate condition OF affairs there
that tho State ought not 10 tolerate
Longer, both In protection of lis dig
nifty and revenue. The land board
dispatched their commissioners to
gather facts upon which 1t might act
intelllgently, and now, that the facts
are known, the various officials re-
sponsible fer the strict enforcement
Of The law. cannot ignore them or ex-
ouse themselves for failure to act in
the premises.
1t has boon charged, ana generally
believed, time and again that many
thousands of acres of the States lands
were being used by trespsssing bar
ons, without a cent of profit to the
people, and tho reports are now con-
iirmed by tho discovery and citation
by the commissioners Of actual facts
OF not only trespass and Illegal use,
but tho extensive fencing, in the plain
fsce of tho law. In Borden county
are 81 sections enclosed, in violation OF
the law. Some 5000 head are
being grszod in Scurry county with
out tho payment Of cent OF rent 70
the State. Other instances are given,
showing the extent TO which the
cattlemen ara robbing the State, in
open defiance Of law.
But the grazing OF their cattle free
and the illegal enclosures, 30 far as
loss of revenue is concerned, are not
to DO compared to tho loss resulting
from false returns for assessment and
taxation. The figures submitted by
these commissioners are startling
Companies owning 10000 head return
only $4,000 for taxation. In one
county, where tho value OF the cattle
WAS over 81, 100000. the rolls show the
assessed value only about $4,000.
Mr.. STEVENS thinks that the State
III the ways pointed OUT, IL losing mll-
lions OF dollars. Tho officer whose
duty II is To enforce tho enclosure act,
tho board who are the custodians OF
these lands, and more than any or all
| others, tho assessors OF tho countos,
whose duty 1t is to ace that the taxa
BILE property is all and properly re-
turned, cannot excuse themselves for
this inattentiou to tho plain statutes
Of the code. There is positive in.
Jury done 10 those who pay their rents
and taxes honestly, and premium
placed upon the violation OF tho law.
IL Ia true that this great Northwest
has besn almost, heretofore, terra
incognita, aud the State officials could
not DO expected to drop sll other bus
incss and turn themselves into n de-
festive corps, but the matter has now
been partially Investigated, and there
is no recourse but to enforce tho law to
the letter. Probably the half has not
been told. A more thorough search
Will reveal yet other trespasses, false
and INSULT ,lent returns and high.
handed violations of tho States stat
utes. 1.-THE farmer OF Dallas or Har-
ris county Ia compelled to regard the
law; II the honest lessee of Western
lands is compelled to nay his rent, thel
should the others be- made to do like
wise. Ignorance or negligence will
not excuse fsvoritism, and, II collus
ion Is at the bottom OF these frauds
thsn ought the facts not only mee, the
fullest disclosure, but "no guilty mar
should escape" In the meantime
there is plenty Of work ahead Of S.a;,
ofnclals.