Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-03-15
Alton LandLaw,

1t is and should be the policy of every re-
public to identify her citizenship with the
titles to the soil. Experience has taught
that the pioneers who open the way in all
new countries are known for their liberal
ity and poverty, and that few new states
have have been settled by the wealthy
classes. The lands are occupied homes are
erected and the wilderness reclaimed gen.
orally by those who have but little wealth.
After the hardshipS of frontier life are
passed and the resources of the country are
known, then it is that aliens, without any
intention of citizenship, are eager to lay
their hands upon the richest soil at the
lowest price possible, to be held for specu-
latiye purposes. When it is possible for
theselands to be collected and owned in
large bodies by aliens, swarm of foreign
tenantry at once follows, and a large estate
dominated by alien landlords, spring up to
menace the peace and happiness of the citi-
zens and to perpetuate system Of bondage
on the tenants themselves.
The last regular session of your honora-
Bile bodies passed law for the purpose of
correcting this threatened abuse in Texas.
1t has been held unconstitutional by the SUI
preme court upon the ground mainly that,
as it was declared to be an amendment to
law, it never specified what statute or law
it intended to amend.
a careful, close analysis of the bill would
indicate some obnoxious and unnecessary
features that should be removed. The law
should be so drawn that within reasonable
specified time after an alien "a person not
citizen of the United States) acquires by
purchase, inheritance or otherwise deed
or title to lands within this state he shall
either become citizen to enjoy said land,
or shall sell it to some citizen of the United
States. The future prosperity, comfort
and happiness Of our people, and public
policy as well, demands just but infexible
oil 1aVRd llrrr rfh ar cro har-
them, and it is now a law of the United
States that it shall be unlawful for any
person or persons not citizens Of the United
States, or who have not legally declared
their intention to become such citizen. or
for any corporation not created by or under
the laws of the United States or Of some
territory o. state of the United States, to
acquire, hold or own real estate or any in
terest therein in any territory or the
District of Columbia. II also provides that
corporations having more than 20 per cent
Of the stock owned by aliens shall not own
any real estate in said territories The low
applies TO all classes of corporations and in
lands, except by inheritance or in the ordi-
nary course Of justice in the collection OF
debts created before the passage Of the law;
and it makes it the duty of the attorney
general of the United States, when the pro-
visions of that law have been violated, to
institute PEOCcSUtnsS " 4oLIclt Tic tAt4eS W
land so held 10 the United States govern
ment. The law IS referred to as significant of
the public policy supported by the people of
the United States. When we consider that
the Federal government has reserved to the
Indians within the territories over 600 acres
of land per capita, and that there is not to-
day in the whole area Of Texas, including |
mountains, valleys and streams and good
and poor land alike, over
sEvExFE-FIvE ACRES
per capita of her population. then it IS well
to weigh and consider the injury that viii
certainly result 70 the present generation !
ard 10 posterity unless reasonable safe |
guards ara now thrown around the soil in !
tended for the homes Of the people.
Il is right TO cultivate IN all respects |
friendly relations with aliens and i1drce the |