The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-09-17
BY THE
STATESMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY.
WHAT THE LAW REALLY IS

WHAT THE LAW REALLY 49,
Have those of us, who, with III
least of patience have listened TO OIL
jections to the alien land law, studle
the real wording and merits OF tina
law? Passing by the general term
of the law, here are it's Objectionable
sections:
Art TO- No alien person who is ho Oil No.
zen of the United States OF AmcTiica,, AZ Ind,
quire title to or own any lnteIcst dn az ar other
within the state of Texas and any dec,i VI titI m
conveyance purpOrting to convey SUI I ~
interest to any alien or unnaturallZca, CON,
Or to any firm, company OF G I PIT gholl he
pOsed of such in whole or Ill PdII sh"'' w
void.
Art. lob. All aliens who shall hereafter take
lands by devise or descent, may hoil INC sai l'
for six years and no longer ProVlueu, thi. NY
alien minor or person OF unsOuhd llllu lllllerl'
ING lands i'm Texas may have six years after
such minor reaches u years of age, or person OF
unsOund mind shall have had legal GUARDIAN
Art lOc ANY alien may, for valuable cohsiu-
Grafton. take hold, assign, fOreclosc sell or buy
under any mortgage or deed OF trust, any iah'ls
within the State of Texas, in when ne mas an
interest by virtue of having heretGi3re n f s
loan of mcney, subject to the provisions OF this
chapter in reference TO alternating salu minus
within six years, as herein required =, ,,,,
Art. l0d. If any alien shall undertake 10 . noIu
lands for n longer time, or in any way contrary
TO the provisions of this chapter such Iahds
shall estheat to and vest in the STATE Oh lrNas
in like manner as is provided for the cschGat Oh
estates of persons dying without any "cNlse
thereof and having no heirs.
Now. to those looking to the pur-
pose of getting foreigners out of Texas,
or rather to ending their monetary
interests in the state, the thought
seems to have been that as under this
law six years are given these foreign
ers to settle up their business no
harm is done them, and in the mean
time we can get the benefit of their
cheap money. Indeed, this version
of the law by some has come to the
personal knowledge of THE STATES
MAN, and surprise has been heard eX-
pressed that foreign money is not now
being loaned as before, even up to the
limit of the six years stipulated.
Such forced construction of the law
is, in fact, no construction at all but a
willfully blind voicing of "a desire, a
desire to little longer enjoy
the benefits of a system of borrow
ing money we are about by law
to summarily stop. And right here
hinges The STATEsMAN's objection to
this law. We are in perfect SYM
pathy with the slogan "America
for Americans ;" but can we
not as Americans so conduct |
our business as from it to get the best
results, while at the same time fully
protecting our land from the posi-
bility of ownership by foreign land
lords? Are we not entitled to the
privilege of seeking foreign money
market if there can be found a lender
who will give us better accommoda-
ton than can be found on this side the |
water-granted of course, that in such I
case no infringement of fundamental
policy or law be found This
is all that the newspapers of
the state mean in advocating such
change of this new law as will accom-
plish the relief and at the same time
provide against all danger of ultra
American customs or influence. 1t is
not the spirit of this law that is being |
attacked all over Texas but it's method |
of procedure, its summary cutting off
without redress, possible chance of
our making reasonable monetary |
trades in free and open market.
Throw around the ownership of Texas
lands, whether by home or foreign
persons, all legitimate restrictions,
but let us not put such harsh
eXactions upon those who have to go
into the market for accommodation
as will make their burden of deb
harder to bear. For Texas is q grow
ing state and debt is an essential Incl
dent Of all growth, whether private or
public. 1t is the entrance into growth
that is the difficult stage, and it is
there that the debt pinches the most.
10 the extent then that such debt is
the quicker overcome to that extent
Is the individual or the state the more
prosperous. Cheap money is the
opening wedge to such an end. Is it
not then the duty of Texas to start
that wedge for itself and citizens, only
so far regulating its driving home as
to conserve the best interests of all?
This is all that is asked for in plead
ing for the amendment of the alien
land law.
THE RATN-lTlKERS