The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1890-08-16
a LiBERAL TEXAN.
Attorncy-General Hogs ON RaiIroaos ""~
the Abuse of Land Monopoly.

Acknowledgement Hogg, OF Texas
who is running as Democratic candidate
for Governor, outlined his views on
various public questions in recent ad-
dress. lie declared himself in favor or
State regulation of railways, and show
ed the analogy OF railways to toll ROADS,
where private corporation maintains
the roadbed and charges sum hxed Dy
law to all persons travelling over sno
same. 4
beginning with common earth roads,
graded and Ieveled. public highways
changed not in principle, but in conan
ton and methods of use and enjoyment
Passing through many transmutations,
from the plain dirt road to the graseA
way. from the latter to the horse-car
line, and from that to the steam rail-
way, the public highway developed, az
it is now, into the greatest civillzer
known to civilization, indispensable 10
commerce and to the wants OF the pup
lie. has never escaped the control OF the
power that gave it life. So long as they
were simply earth or turnpike ROADS
Nut little or no question was raised as
to tho right of the Government to con-
troll or regulate them, but since they
have become laid with post-oak sleepers
and steel rails, ballasted with sea Shells,
equipped with fine coaches propelled BY
steam engines and controlled by mag7
mates, pools and combines they are de-
FAINT of law and revolt at control in all
respect. They are now called private
enterprises.
Quite as striking was what Attorney
General Hogg said on the land question:
He spoke thus:
Our constitution further provides that
"Perpetuities and monopolies are con-
trary to the genius of a free government
and shall never be allowed" This pro-
vision was almost at corporate power in
all respects, but especially at their own
ership of lands. Under our present laws
land corporations are not prohibited,
nor are they expressly admitted; though
they are operating in our State by .
kind of license and the law of comfy to
an alarming extent. They control and
own about one-fourth of all the lands
within the State. When title vests in
them, as they live on forever, it be-
comes perpetuity. In this way the
evils Of the English laws of primogeni~
ture and entailmynt so distasteful to
Americans will be surpassed by corpo-
rate estates. The control of the prop
erty in large tracts is equivalent to q
monopoly. Many of them each own and
now have exclusive possession and ems
joyment of over million acres of land
in one body. Go into the far West
through some OF the richest counties of
our State and you will find great pas
lures and corporate estates wired in and
exclusively from settlements
their management committed to agentss
their titles in alieaa English cords, syn-
dicates and corporations. The like has
never been known to any country that
guarded we'll its institutions with re-
spect to the rights, liberties and priv
leges OF the free people that compose il.
'Shese large estates, controlled now foS
pastoral purposes, will soon be in des
mand for settlement As time goes ons
within few years, as the demand fop
homes becomes stronger, these princely
will be cut up into small farms
and rented or leased and operated by
foreign poasantry, uncongenial to our
people and under the absolute control
OF men who do not understand or respects
the principles of our government. In
time they will become voters, and cast
their ballots as free men according to
the will of their landlords and rulers.
In this way the time is not far distant
in Texas, il this condition of affairs
shonld be permitted to continue, when
our people viii be met in their councils
by representatives Of English aristocracy
elected by their serfs and poems.
While we have the poweri in the legiti-
mate exercise OF our rights as citizens,
It is we'll not to overlook matters of such
serious Importance and threatening
danger to the welfare of ourselves and
our posterity. This is country, not Of
landed monopolies and estates in per-
petuity created and run for serfs and
slaves, but is one of freemen that should
be controlled in all things by and for
Them. AS tho title OF land is concen.
trated into the ownership of the few, in
that proportion patriotism is destroyed.
The greater the number of homes, the
larger the number of patriots. Deprive
our people of lands and they become
tenants subject to the will of those who
'wn their homes. In time they grow
poor, diseased. degenerate and servilc.
When that period is reached tho under.
ying principles OF our Government will
De only known by the blotched leaves Of
history; and the thoughtless, indiffer-
INT people OF to-day will be condemned
BY the mourning millions who bear their
names. Cautiously observing vested
rights and principles of justice, il am
elected your Governor, shall favor and
insist upon the passage of laws that will
prohibit the further operation of land
corporations and to limit the tenure Of
title in those now owning lands within
his State. Within a limited ro.i.a "a