Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-08-09

AUSTIN. IEA.. Aug. ;, 1871.
! Editor Gazette
The conditions surrounding Inc suggest
an appeal 10 the courtesy of the Texas
/ press.
4 few evenings since | was present here
when some gentlemen had assembled at our
board of trade 10 consider whether they
would invite other boards of trade to call u
I state convention on the alien land act
They were chiefly business men. So far as
l know. or then believed, was the only
man present who opposed alien mortgages
on land in this country. When invited, ]
= declined to make speech, but in few
words advised calm action, expressed my
opposition to alien ownership of land, and
warned the meeting that if convention
was called other people beside boards of
| trade would be there and resolutions not
desired by that meeting would follow. /
was especially anxious that the legislature
which enjoys, when in session, the hOSpi
tally OF Austin, should not regard this
city rs the leader in move to condemn
them.
Since then-I have been assaulted and mis-
represented by the Austin Statesman until
other channels than that paper must be
found to prevent the injury it may inflict.
] am nor the apologist for any presidential
candidate, who, responding to Wall street,
opposes the free coinage of silver, and had
therefore no right to expect fair treatment
rom tfl3t paper
What is known as the alien land law at
tracted but little attention in the legisla-
ture, for our people, Of all parties were
committed by national platform to stop
alien land ownership. The national Demo-
cratic platform of 1883 reafirmed the plat
form of 1854 which declared that mo more
grants of land should be made to corpora
lions. or be allowed to fall into the hands
at alien abSentees.' -
The national Republican platform pledged
that party also ''to correct the evil of per-
hitting large holdings of land to be acquired
by corporations and individuals, especially
when non-residents or aliens"
Equally emphatic are all the platforms of
the producing classes, whether third-party
men or not. In the face of this evidence of
universal jealosy of alien land ownership,
business men in every cityin Texas are now
agitating a demand to repeal the alien land
law.
People seem to forget that every nation
governed either by the civil or common law,
has always, until modern period, prohib-
tied aliens from acquiring land; and this
rule has been changed only where the com
mercial and monied element control the
policy of government.
The reasons which seemed to demand
legislation here in Texas have seldom been
referred to. F'orei en- capitalists, Ii is as
serted, hold mortgages estimated at $50
paid on one dollar of that money, for the
notes as soon as executed are sent to Great
Britain, there to remain until they are due
Those OF US who are seeking TO avoid debt
find our taxes unjustly increased in proper
ton. The interest on foreign loans, amount
ing to about five millions each year, which
IS dug out of the earth by the toll Of our
people, is sent Immediately across the
ocean, thus making money scarce at home.
or 1t is reinyeSted here to fasten additional
chains on the neck of industry. All this
capital enjoys absolute exemption from the
tax burdens we bear.
Old nations, with the accumulated wealth
of thousand years. find thus 4 rich har-
vest in lending money here When inter-
est has accumulated they foreclose their
mortgages. until now their pastures are all
over the Panhandle. If a manufacturing
industry once falls into their clutches. they
begin TO buy up competition. Only few
months ago, the papers were full of infoT-
nation about foreign capital buying up all
the breweries of St Louis and Milwaukee,
the stockyards of Chicago and the like.
The nation whose capital owns the land of
another people, own that people.
There IS a pasture in the Panhandle
owned by a syndicate composed chiefly of
British subjects, through which a road
runs for over 100 miles. They own and
have about four counties in this one pas
would prevent the killing of deer in large
pastures. Thus a citizen of Texas, travel
ing over her soil in a region far removed
from shelter, would be criminal If, 70 sat
isfy his hunger, he should shoot wild deer
in this British park.
The advantage of having cheap money
during our financial depression is admitted.
but We should remember how rapidly we
adapt ourselves to new conditions, and that
America is not pauper. When ships were
freighted with our gold, and destined for
England, only few weeks ago, it scarcely
made rifle in our stock market. Money.
however scarce, viii go like any other arti-
sic of exchange. where il is most demanded.
IF we have already passed under the power
of foreign gold. with land mortgages, until
Texas mus. encourage such investments or