The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-07-01
CRITICS OF TEXAs LAWS.
Texas Farm and Ranch.

Texas Farm and Ranch.
The Dallas Morning News copies into
it's editorial columns the following, with
seeming approval
The San Angelo standard asserts that
the most lnterrstinr feature of the OPP
position TO the irllA Ion amendment rs
the fear of capital Expressed and implied
The Standard adds Whenever state or
mn individual has reached that point where
they are afraid of tho wand that transforms
every Intent resource INTO Il present pos
Hctrion. progress ~ at nn end. The hNppy
mntlng Of capital and labor IL the open
door to prosperity. aud those VINO seek to
foster distrust hrlwocn these two necessary
factors are simply lending their influence
against the onward march of development.
Texas. with It's preferred creditor laws ts
unlimited homestead exemptions. etc, has
not been particularly Inviting field for
capital and capital has sought othor more
favorable localities, We are paying for
ou- FOLLY. Ten per cent intores, on money
that ~ hard 30 get is the price We pay
for our nntagonism 10 ths efficient helper
The friends OF the irrigation amendment
have reason TO lament the folly of journal
latte supper, that seeks 10 inject an old
and false tissue into the discussion OF thar
amendment ~ the question really in
general policy al It's legislation then the
amendment is marching toward AIN open
grave. 1t Ia 20 be hoped that the Issue
thus presented has no foundation In the
terms and probable operations of the
amendment II adopted. but is merely a
phnntagy OF indacrcet zeal
The assertion that legislation inimichl
and unjust 10 capital has retarded the
development OF TcSaA aud affected inluri-
ously the general welfare OF It's people ls
not new II is song that Inns been sung
ia every political campaign tor several
years past. and also IN divers Keys by
hnuncinrs great and small, rtoicutE and
non residents. With the political phases Of
thE contention Texas Farm and Ranch has
nothing To do. But It claims jurisdiction
over ,yrry subject that has q bearing upon
the material welfare of the whole people ol
the state. II capital IS mlatreated In Texas.
every citizen III the State ought 10 know
H. and every thoughtful ana conBeryaiiVe
citizen would Willingly and promptly Tend
a hand Ia remedy 1t. II the laws of Texas
are equitable and Just IN their relation 10
capital. II III becomes any citizen ar nova
paper Of ToXaH 10 assert the contrary. If
is certainly Improper and unumrly for any
Texas enterprise, dependent upon the sup
port Of Texas people for maintenance, 10
give cooruR aud crudoucs 10 false and
Injurious notions that may have been
spread abroad touching the lava and con
diuous of this state.
Ten pcr cont interest on money that
is hard to get" is the price the STANDARD
With tho Endorsement Of tho Ncws, suys
TeNas ts paying for It's antag0ni6m 10 cap
ital. preferred creditor laws ana uh-
limited homestead exemptions, otc,,' are
al az nutuppui am
The STANDARD il TO be congratulated on its
oandor Some olhef newspapers that make
a hobby OF this compliant carefully avoid
a bill OF particulars. We are moi prepared
just now 10 discuss tho moritg OF tho etc
objection to Texas laws. but Il the stand
ard Viii be little more deiinito We VIII
endoayor 10 do "a. II is somewhat ldt
holit 10 analyle the preferred creditor
laws" for tho oimple reahon that there are
no such laws. The only law on the statute
books NJ Texas referring 10 that subject IA
u general assignment law providing for
the oqual distribution of the assets OF n
failing debtor among his creditors The
preferred creditor system that uhtaiuH In
Texas Ia the common law. adopted tnforon-
TALLY with IT, and II exists hero, do 1t oN-
lists ia nearly .yury other STATE In tie
Union, without "A hHmcit Of statutory reg
ulation behind IT, The charge that TeNas.
through ilB laws. wiui,s at the robbery
Of creditors. may he tolerated from lobby
isis seeking to influence legislation, but 1t
ought not to come from Texas newspapers,
WHOM 1t 10 wholly without foundation, Cor
tain lobbyists Who appeared before COM
mittocs VI the rngular session OF thr
Twenty -hfth legislature and compared, IN
dhparaglng iernS, the policy 81 Texas VA
TINS subject with thai Of other states, were
greatly confused on being confronted with
evidence that preferences we're permitted
under tlIt. "A finn h.lt
40 by thom as models OF gOyernmantal
honesty. They pleaded ignorance. and this
Aeems 10 DO the only available plea for The
standard and the News.
The STANDARD 10 also inaccurate IN its
reference 20 unlimited homestead oS-
cmptlops,' Tho limitation upon the rural
homestead 10 certainly strong enough and
whatever OF laNlty thero may be In tho
homestead LAW ln IN favor OF those who are
amcag tho loid0st de.laimem against tho
hostility of Texas TO capital There In not
. thinking and otsarvhlt person IN Texas
who does not perceive that thO homestead
system has been The salvation of the State
during tho last seven years and whoever
would abolish Il would ,Tonsclentiously sac
rifice tho dearest and best tptcfes.s OF the
"iVsa people under the altar Of unre-
strained greed. Tho homestead law de-
frauds no man; II ia plain and well under
stood. II merely takts the home out OF
consideration in the extension OF credits,
eld to that extent IL Ia, undoubtedly. a
hnitation upon them--a Limitation that Is
wise, Just aud humane IN It's general opera
lions. The effect Of e has been to add
Immsasurabiy TO the deht-psying capacity
OF tho people u Texas US individuals ami
Ia their governmental relations.
II IL not necessary TO enter into an argu-
mani % provo 90 thinkins and reading peo-
pho that tho gansraI depression which
bears less severely upon Texas than upon
any oiher Southern or Central State. ID
not due TO TuAas stsiutes English coll