Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-09-06
a. *. SWAN. HENRIETTA.
Not in Favor of the Law 1t Now Stands
on the Statute Books.
HENRIETTA, CLAY COUNTY Ten,
ArIr /.

Editor Gazette.
Your favor Of the 9th instant, in which
YOU PROFOUND certain questions with refer
euce to section 10 of the alien land law, is
before me. You ask four questions, each
of which l will answer. leaving the second
question to be answered last. You ask first.
are you in favor of the law as II now
standS!" My answer is most positively no.
am i'll favor of an alien law with reference
to real estate, but not such as the one now
on our statute books.
think the state would be better off with
out any law on the subject than with the
present law, ana especially those who have
their property mortgaged or those who
have outstanding vendors lien notes TO
meet besides. think the law as il now
stands is not only unwise, but extremely
unjust, my reasons for all of which | will
give i'll answer to question No. >.
You ask third, twas the intent OF the law
to exclude foreign capital from the state?"
My candid opinion Is that the majority of
those who voted for the bill did so with but
two objects. One was to get the bill out of
the way and the other was 10 go on record
as favOring an alien law. | do not believe
one-third Of the members who voted for the
bill had the slightest conception of what
the effect Of the law would be. Nor do |
believe that it was the intention of any re-
spectacle number of them 10 exclude for
eign capital from the state.
y
as beneficial or hurtful to the interests of
TeXaS2" 20 which l have the honor to
reply that the effect is not
only hurtful. but ruinoUs. That we have
one of the crande tatcS in the Union d
re surrounded with more pc 81 Ilities and
probabii ties than an 9th stat, % will
deny, and thai we need TO make ours
the gre test country under the sun IS Gevel-
opment; we have the pluck energy and
enterprise, in fact. everything necessary 10
that end, save m ney- That we must get
from abroad, nd it is my candid opinion
that, aside from the fact that it Is the
cheapest money. ii is to our interes to get
as much money from foreign capitalists. ana
as little from Northe and Eastern CAPT
ta!ists, in our own government, as possible:
but as | shall take fully as much space in
answering question No. rs You can afford
to allow me, l will not discuss this point at
this time.
In question No. 2you ask what amend
ment | would suggest. This brings mp thss-
merits of the whole law. and if were to
make the law TO my own liking, would not
allow an alien or foreigner or domestic
corporation to buy or hold lands within
the state of Texas acquired by ordinary
purchase, save that l would allow all cor
pOratiOnS permissible within the state to
buy and hold lands necessary for the trans
action of their business, such as railways,
their right OF way, depot grounds, etc,
manufacturing and mining corporations
their sites; [ would allow no corporation,
such as land and pasture companies. l
would allow loan companies to loan money
on real estate security with the privilege of
purchasing at their own foreclosure sale in
the event such sale should be necessary in
the collection of their debt, but l would |
require them to ALLEVIATE the land SO pur-
chased within ten years from the date of |
the purchase. l would make no dis |
tinction between corporations whose
stockholders were in whole or in part for |
eigners and those whose stockholders were |
all denizens. L would allow aliens |
who inherit or take under viii ten
years within which 20 ALLEVIATE the
lands so acquired or to become |
citizens of the United States. 1 an IN
alterably opposed to any law OF escheats |
where owners or heirs may be found. but |
in lieu of au escheat law would at the ex-
piration of the time within which they had |
10 ALLEVIATE, have the owners cited, the |
property advertised and sold as under exc
cution, allowing only citizens to purchase
at such sale. and after paying all costs |
and expenses 1 would have the re-
mainder of the proceeds of such sale |
turned over to the proper owner. The idea
that the state of Texas would sell tract of |
land to A-who was foreign born. but has
become naturalized-receive the purchase |
money and issue to him patent, and then
after his death, because his heirs Were
aliens. (probably an aged father or mother
who had furnished the boy the money with
which to make the purchase) deprive them
Of the land with all its enhanced values
made by his labors is. in my opinion, absurd
and wholly wrong. ! am willing TO deprive |
them of the privilege of owing the land. but
the proceeds thereof should be returned to
them The state should never take some-.S.
thing for nothing, and should never de-
clare forfeiture for anything but a crime
or default in payment. l believe
the above IDEAS framed into
law would present just, reason
able and satisfactory solution o. the diss