Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-01-03

has existed against the appropriation of
immense areas to any one person or firm.
About % 900 900 acres of public lands
of every kind are still uDsold and I'M
leased. A great deal of this is beng used,
but not in way that incurs the penalties
of the present law; illegal appropriation
being restricted TO "fencing - q herd
ing' and line-Tiding - Great num-
bers of these users of public lands would
doubtless lease if extra inducements and
persuasIons were offered a slight de-
feet in the law exists here perhaps. The
motive in making the above suggestion is
to direct attention to the subject. espec-
tally the attention of the legislature,
upon whose wise action depends the well
fare Of the state.
SALES.
More important still is a careful and
patriotic study of that portion of the law
relating to sales. The pioneer who, with
seaiIt means, plants his roof-tree in the
wilderness, and single-handed wrestles
with nature 5 unkindest forces, deserves
every encouragement. He should at
least feel assuI ed that no slight accident,
or sudden calamity, providential dispen-
sation beyond his control, shall deprive
him of the fruits of his toll and endur-
auce; assured that his diligence and good
faith VIII not be in vain, but all sufficient
to make his security complete. That the
miscarriage of q letter containing a re-
mittance, the negligence of a
trusted agent for q day or
two, sickness which Temporal
rily incapacitates a man for at
tention to business, the destruction or
failure of a crop, should result in for
fixture of worthy citizen s home, of all
L. All, ,a
verge OF cruelty. Nor are such condi-
tons necessary for the protection of the
state. On the contrary, it is believed
their effect is injurious and detrimental,
from the fact that they discourage pur-
chasers and retard sales. 1t is very es-
sential that the state hold herself III posi-
ton to enfore her rights and protect her
interests with vigor and without expense.
She must insist upon prOmptness III the
payment of interest; in fact, she must be
prepared TO declare forfeitures as a last
resort. The experience under all the
laws previous to the act of April y, 1888,
proves this. But is not that act, as well
as the present law, too rigid? They both
forfeit absolutely and without reserve I'M
less interest is paid by August l Pecuni-
airy penalties are sufficient to enforce the
collection of taxes. Would not a similar
penalty secure promptness in the pay
ment of interest? The annual interest on
a section of land is, say, $50. Now, if
the purchaser should be required to pay
$50 additional as a penalty for his failure
to pay on the day fixed, would he not
then have a sufficient motive to be
prompt? Then, if this interest together
with the penalty are not paid within a
given time, say six or twelve months,
let the forfeiture occur. This would give
the purchaser time to repair an accident,
to recover from sickness OF other
calamity.
On the first day of August, 1887, many
forfeitures occurred for non-payment of
interest due for the year 1886 1t was
then the duty of the commissioner of the
general land office to have these lands
classified, appraised and put on the mar
ket under the present law, which re-
quires them to be carefully valued;''
in other words, be valued at what they
are worth The result has been in hun
dreds of instances that the price was fixed
at from 10 to 100 per cent. in advance of
the amount due on the old contract. This
burden fell, i'll most cases, upon men
our own citizens-who were suffering
from fall the calamities of drouth. No
power of dispensation no discretion was
anywhere lodged which could be applied
to such cases. The law was exeented
but it was a painful duty. The state
made money by it, but does she want
such money?
1t IS not intended to discredit the pres
ent law, nor to advise change which
would affect its general character and
policy. ANY such changes are to be dep
recated, but it is honestly believed that
few slight notifications of the kind sug-
gested would give needed protection, en-
couragement and relief, would injure no
one, and be blessing and gain to the
whole people.
FORFEITED LANDS.
Exhibit Fl shows the forfeitures which
have occurred by operation of law on
August l 1887, and August l 1888, for
non-payment of interest due for 1886 and
1857.
All these forfeited lands-566 ,493 acres
were sold under act of April u, 1883,
by the land board. The enormous total
of these forfeitures, about two thirds of
the amount sold for the same period. in
dicates forcibly the depression not to say
distress, which the west has recently I'M |
dergOne, and is an evidence that not |
only the price of leases should be re-
duced, but that the purchase price of |
IdHuS ms possibly D6eQ TOO llgn. 1t Is |
a fact apparent to those acquainted with |
the public lands that the difference in |
minimum price between watered and dry |
lands is unreasonable and without good |
cause. 1t is deemed safe to the interests |
of the state TO make no arbitrary dis |
tinctiOn on account of water, but, with |
the same minimum as for dry lands, to |
provide for the careful valuation of |
watered lands.
The prices now fixed for timber and |
timbered lands is also a subject for care |
full examination.
There are several other matters con-
nected with the public lands to which it |
is necessary TO call attention on most of
which the interests of the state require
that legislative action be had.
IRRIGATION.
First in Importance is the subject of
irrigation. The wonderful results in
other commemorative through this
agency are insignificant compared to
what is possible from the re-
sources of Texas. With more irri-
gable lands than all the states and ter
ritories west of US combined,
and with more prolific climate and soil,
with the experience of the world for in
struction and guidance, there is no reason
for waste Of time Int with visa a0d foS