Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-09-13
ALIEN LAND LAW.
MORE REPLIES TO THE GA
ZETTE'S INQUIRIES.
SIr. Rosan Indicates the Law He Would
Like to See-Mr. Reynolds Opposed
to the Present Law.
Mr.. Rogan Fayors Changes.
RowNwoop, TEX, Sept. 4, 1891
To the Fort Worth Gazette:

Mr. hogan faSOrS ShanScA.
BRENTWOOD TEX, Sept 4, 1891.
To the Fort Worth Gazette
In reply TO your favor of recent date. So
Letting an expression from me on the allen
land law, VIII state that | am in favor of an
alien land law and supported the present
law when it came before the legislature for
action.
DO not believe, however, that the
friends OF the bill were fully advised as 10
its disastrous effects. That 1t will work
great hardship 10 those who borrow IS not
disputed. Neither is IL disputed that it
W Il drive millions of capital from our state
1t is mistaken idea on the part of the
friends of the law that no one will be hurt
except "town boomers and real estate
agents" The principal sufferers in West
Texas are farmers who have purchased
land on time. The vendors have sold their
notes TO loan companies, who are
notes n0w des a9are fh sretofore these
companies have extended the time Of pay
rnent because it was the interest on their
money, not the land, that they desired.
do not believe il was the intention OF
the legislature TO drive capital from the
state nor TO crush those who are compelled
10 borrow money on land and vendors lien
notes, whether they be booming the town
or the country, or whether they are
trying 10 shake off the yoke of landlordism
by buying farms of their own and getting
loan companies to carry them until they are
able to pay for their lands.
Whether they be town boomers or
farmers, or otherwise, who borrow money.
they are citizens of Texas, aud possess
rights that should be respected. AMI | do
not believe it was the intention of the legis-
iature 10 pass a law 50 far-reachiug and evil
III its consequences as the present law.
The oil was called up for action in the
house just before the close the session,
when everything was III Il rush, when the
legislators were restless and eager
TO adjourn, and when everyone was
trying to call up his own bill.
No one will for moment pretend to say
that it was possible for every member 10
acquaint himself with the $50 bills intro
duced into the house. 10 say nothing OF the
senate bills which came before it, during
single sitting of the Legislature. Free dis
cussion is the only way by which members
Of the legislature can acquaint thems Ives
with the features of every bill. The pres
ent law was not discussed in the house. L
believe my friend, Mr.. GOSSett, the author
of the bill, was the only one who spoke to 1t.
No one cared TO listen to an argument SO
near the close of the session. The evils of
English landlordism had all been enum-
Grated and exposed about two
weeks prior to that time in d
lengthy aud heated debate upon an amend
ment offered by Judge Terrell to senate bill
No. 100. known as the private corporation
act" when that bill was before the house;
the Democratic party was pledged to the
passage of an alien land law, and, as
a matter of course, large major
ity of the house favored the
bill and no discussion was had.
| voted for the bill. and for one, was misled
as to its extent and scope. l say uisled for
the reason that Judge Terrel's amendment,
above referred to, was thoroughly discussed
in the house week or ten days before the
alien land bill was called up, and while, in
my opinion, his amendment was not SO radi-
cal as the present law, 1t had the same
end in view so far as existing evils were
sought to be remedied. His original amend
ment was lost in the house by vote OF 10
to "a House journal, page t51 and | was
one of the members who voted for Mr..
Connellee'S amendment, as against Judge
1errell's. MIR. COnnellee'S amendment pre-
vailed. but when the bill went back TO the
senate, it too, was rejected because
il was regarded as too radical. This
shows, in my opinion, the sentiment C. the
legislature upon kindred subject, which
had teen thoroughly ventilated by aIgll-
lnent.
] have long been an advocate Of, and now
favor an alien land law, but az. opposed
10 the law as it now stands. My Idea of
law is one that would authorize corporations
or aliens 20 make loans on real
estate, and wheneverit became necessary to,
ard they did in fact foreclOse, and become
purchasers under the mortgage, they then
should have five or six years within which
TO dispose OF it. l believe such law
would be a remedy for every evil
heretofore practiced; it would in
wife, instead of driving capital
from the state, keep more money in circu-
lation, rid the law of paternalism, and at
the same time 1t would prevent English
landlordisu, destroy perpetuities and break
the strength Of corporate power.
In thus expressing myself, [ wish To be
understood that am only giving my 0pin
ion in so far as the intent of the legislature
is concerned. based on the facts above
stated, ana I speak for no one except
myself 4 change is necessary, aud
| believe one would be made. ii the gov
ernor should,include that subject III the call
for all extra session. in the event he should
see fit to reconvene the Legislature to re-
district the state. CHAs ROGAN.