The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-02

eastern counties OF the middle west have
fiourished under Its influence. Millions OF
acres have been sold, lands have been i'm
proved and the states revenues from taxa
ton have increased. and the school FUND
| available resources increased rapidly.
am IA anxious for the law to remain intact
| SO far as II affects that country as any
man, but there Is an enormous territory
| lying in the far west and southwest to
| which neither the present nor any other
| former law has been practically applicable,
| and In this territory all former laws have
| resulted In dismal failures so far as sales
| ara concerned, Tho reason to any man
who knows the facts or VIII take the
trouble to find them Is perfectly plain.
Different conditions exist, In most places
| tho soil and In all places the seasons will
not permit OF successful or reasonably GER
ain production OF food products. Every
body who has over lived In that country
knows this 10 be true. An examination OF
the record OF sales IN the land office
demonstrates what I say, and the forfeited
accounts In tho troasurers office verify II,
1t is the great cattle and sheep raising part
OF Texas. II a man can only get enough
land 10 raise them on. And In this con-
nection lei me say that the bill wo have
introduced provides for n limitation as to
the quantities Of land to be purchased by
any one person 50 as to secure the greatest
number OF citizens to that country which
In the opinion OF It's trainers tho country
Will support. BY common consent OF all
people who are informed on the subject
this country can not be put 10 any other
permanent uBn than stock raising pure
and simple, and TO continue the policy of
offering these lands for sale with the iimi-
tation In quantity and settlement now OPP
Grating is simply to defeat all purpose to
sell the lands and besides to maintain an
insurmountable obstacle to the permanent
development of that portion of the State.
IN "a nj af
example.
I'm each county seat In my district and
in all the smaller towns and villages, more
than ordinarily good schools and churches
are maintained. The stock raisers as
rule keep their famiiios In such towns,
the conditions not being such that these
advantages can be had upon their ranches.
Now TO require them 10 keep their fami-
lies in the country 10 meet tho require
ments OF actual settlement. Is both unwlhe
and unchrlstian. Neither time nor settle
mcnt will help the situation Regular and
bountiful rainfall can never come 10 this
oountry; nature has prescribed It, Until
the attitudes are loveled by tho slow muta-
tions OF time. tho course OF the Winds are
changed and the material laws OF preoipi-
tation reversed. you may as well look for
good sensons with any degree OF regularity
In Southern New Mexico or Arizona rs In
this part OF Texas"
What counties will be affected by your
billg'
We'll. can not answer that question.
The bill as introduced Is only intended as
q basis to work on. think this matter
ought 10 be left largely TO the members
from each district. i understand that upon
the main pnrposes of tho bill the sena-
tors and representatives OF the country |
south OF the Texas and Pacific railroad |
are practically agreed and Will want most |
Of their counties included within Its oper-
alton. II does not apply to any part OF |
the Panhandle and some question may arise |
as 10 its northern boundary"
Are there any other measures before /
your committee OF tho same nature?"
"Yes. but l have not had time to exam |
Inc them critically. Tho bill OF Judge |
Bolin. so far as II relates TO the present |
surveyed school lands. IL along tho same 1
lines as the one I have discussed. II Is a
sensible measure, and 7 think shows
understanding OF tho land
question by him.
What benefit DO YOU think Will now
from a measure OF this character?r
Every benefit that can dow from COM
mon sense. businessliko treatment OF the
subject. IL is tho only way the State
can ever sell these lands and 20 out of the
and business. The lands will be sold on
lime and the interest viii be immediately
available for tho public schools. Enough
Is required TO be paid down TO insure the
OF the contract and procure
4 good interest bearing Investment for
be school fund. In addition. The lands pold
become taxable " ouce. and contribv)o
% the support Of TIE teverAneat.
sc iar - " peeple Wa llse = s445
'esnssy sre eonretnee ~ ~ ~