C
HonorableCoke B. Stevenson Governorof TbxaS Austin, Texan
Dsar Sir: OpinionHoe.O-5011 Bet Authorityof the Governorof Texar to issue patent to the Podor@ Gtivermwatunder facts auhnittsd.
Ik am in receiptof your l*tter of Deoemkr 11, 1942, Iherein you requestthe opinionof this daputmsnt upon the followingquestion*
"Is the Governorof TOXM authorizedto issue pate* to the FederalGoverrrment under the faotr subnittsd?"
The facts as containedin pour attaohedoommunication addressed to HonorableBaeocmGiles,,Ccmmissioner of the GeneralLand Office and nitten by CliffordB. Elm; DivisionHead of Real Eatate Suboffice, Ar Dspariment,l&w W~~ico, read in eubstanoeas follownc
The UnitedStates is requiringfor militaryair- port purposesthe Southmst Quarter of the Southeast quarter (S.E.*S.E.*)of Seotion27, Blook CA, Fublio Sohool.Lauds,in Reeves County -- a 40 aore traot of land. Under oondemnationprooeedirgsentit- led: 'UnitedStates of Amerioavsr 2,560&ares of Land in Reeves County,Texas, State of Terns and Joe Rorshem et al', Civil No.,154 in the U&D&, pea08 Division,an order for possessionwas entered securingizeaediate~pcssession of said land for the FederalGovernnant. Later a Declarationof Taking was filed thereinunder the terms of which the Fsdsr- al Gwermusnt has aoquiredfee simpletitle to said dssoribadIands,srosptingmineralsthereinand sub jeot to aortaineasementsthereon.
A Csrtifioateof Faots preparedby the General wnd Offiae showsthat prior to the institutionof the aforementionedoondemuationprooeedingsthat ;heds;; ~~b~a,",~~li~~~~~~,"~:: 2h%.,, her obligationfor unpaid purchaseprice and interest thereon;that said sale of land was marked "Forfeited" HonorableCok63. Stovanson,(0;5011)Page 2
bp the said Land Office on August 26, 1941, for non-paymentof i&west and the 86m so stands on the recordsof the GemaralLand Offloe.
Lillian8. Ninkler and her husband,Sam Bnklar, haw b6ea mad6 partiesdefendantto the said oondsm- nation proceedingby mason of the fast that this officehas been uuableto obtaina quitolaimdmd or other instrumnt which muld extinguish"ny right of reinstatawentof the 8aid land purohasswhich they MY have.
This officeoffsrsto puro~se,said40 aore tract of land from the Gwernor of Tarcrs,~aoting for the State of Texas under authoritygrantsdhim in Article 5245,V.A.C.S.;and th6 offer being mcapted, stipula- tions to that effectwill be sntaradin the oondamna- tion proceedings,thus obviatingthe neoessityfor aondmnation of 6aid tract of land.
Artiols 5242,Vernon'sAunotatedCivil Statutea,provideatiat the UnitedStatesGovermwmt throughits properacent may puraharelanda within the State of Tens and held same as sites onvhichto are& forts, military stations,arsenals,dock yards, etc., and the coasentof the Lsgislaturais hereby expresslygiven te any suoh purchass.
Arti 5245,V.A.C.S.,reads as follow88
"Rhea this Statemay be the owner of any land do- sired by the UnitedStates for any purposespecified in this title, the Guvernormay sell suoh lad to the UnitedStates,and upon gryaentof the purohase money thereforinto the Treasury,tha Land &mmissiowr, upon the order of the Governor,shall.issusa patentto the United St&es for such land in like manner as ottsr patentsare fssued."
Clearly,the abomwquoted statute authorizesthe Govercorto sell and patent lands dosiredly ths UnitedStates for ,my of the purposss or like purposesspeoifiedin Article 5242, "when the Statemay be the owner" thereof. It follows,therefore,that wheneverthe State of Texas is not the ownerof the lauds desired,etc., that the Governorlaoks the requisitm authorityto 8611 6~66 or to ptent same~ Unl66sthe Stat6 of Tens is the owner of the S.E. t of the 0. 2 of S60tion 27, the land in qusstion,th6 Goveruorwould