Brownsville Herald (Brownsville, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 241, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 22, 1914 Page: 5 of 8
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BALL’S KEYNOTE SPEECH
LEADER OPENS CAMPAIGN
l Coni in in* I (ft mi I'age Six.i
Texas to get more railroads. ITider the
laws of New York they an not invest in
the bonds of any railroad which has not
paid a iiiiiiiImt of sin ccssive dividtwid-.
and no new railroad in Texas could sell
them ijs bonds.
I his proposition about loaning money
hi our farmers something tin* retiring
companies did not do iN'foiv t|m- Itols-rt-
son law was passed and for which a cam
pnign lias lierii sy steiu.it ii ally inaug ir
tiled. is for the purpose «f inducing the
legislature to remit to these life in-ui
a nee companies alsnit a million dollar-
in tll.YI*s which lls*v HOW owe Texas and
let them conic in and wiite life insurance
without paying this debt. I am willing
to test their good faith by urging alt
amendment to the 1'ohn t-ou I iw that
will give these companies tie* light to
rolled premiums oil outstanding policies
lliroiigh Ie\a- banks and loan till ike
money they want to in Texas and exempt
their premium* and loans from Itciug
subjected to exe-tition or garnishment
for the in i 11 i« >ii dollars they owe u-. It
they waul to ionic lao-k and write life
insitramv in eniu|M*tilion witii the out
*ide companies that stayed and paid tin-
tax and the Texas com pm lies which «*r
ganized and paid llieir taxes I shall op
jaise allowing them to write insurance
until they -ipiarc the faxes they owe the
Slate.
I* A non OKCAMZ \TM.lXK.
The great labor army engaged in in
du-trial and mechanical pursuit* is eu
titled to lilicrnl. fair and ju-l cou-idcra
tiou at the hands of the executive law
making and depart menial authorities
I alu not one to up|mul to class ftxdiug.
loll as a right thinking man I can not
In* otherwise than sympathetic and con-
siderate of the lo'l'tig masse* anxious
for the 1**1 teruieiit of their condition."
and solicitous for the safetv of llo-ir life
and I i in I • in the hazardous occirpuiU'iis
in vvliieh -o many must engage.
In my first race for Congress in !*•*;
then* wo- included in my platform prac-
tically every demand made l»y the Clti
rago platform a- to lalmr. before tin-
Chicago platform was adopted-
During niv seven yeai- in Congress I
supported and voted for all iiieriioriou-
lalmr legislation proposed or pas-cd in
eluding the safely appli.ince laws sworn
rc|mr|s as to the causes of aeeidetd-
providing against abuse o| in itneiiotis.
the tight hour law for government work
I iv eon: riet or otherwise the lnbe!in_ or
eoti.ef made goods restriction of h *nr-
•*f labor in cert n'ti occupation*. and al'
other measure* in the interest of and for
tin* j*icteetion of lalmr. I helped 4i[<
port and fought for the first Child In'*r
plank ado|ded liv «he Deiuoeratic enliven
tiou :*.t (ialvestou in I'tui.’.
Tin* Workman - cniu|*-iisntinii net r.*
relit ly pa--«d in oui folate had my hearlv
sympathy and with amemlim-nts sln»v i
by e\|s*ri»Sin- to Is* tussled i w ill lie pro
dm live ».f groat go.*l t» industrial work
ers. I believe in organized lal**r and
whether a- an official or a private eiti
zen | stand ready to help ami further
every ju-t and proper demand ft- in such
Ixslic* which will l>e conducive to their
welfare and happim •}*S
INITIATIVE. m:i KIJI.MM M \\l>
ItKfWI.L.
hotmvriitN may differ as in ilie wis
dotn of direct legislation and the recall
Hf public official* and I would not make
that issue a test of party faith I h.evc
liecti <oii\ ineed for *oiuc year* tlial our
const it ill ion should provide power in I lie
|N-ople to initiate measure* and have
them submitted by legislative IhnI’m-* to
a direct vote of the |s-ople. upon the de
innud of a substantial numlier of ipi.ili
fled voters.
With an upper and lower house. an
executive armed with the veto pmv.r. or
a city council unwilling to pa>* demand
cd legislation making it |»ossjhlc to
thwart the people s will. I In-Mi ve in es
tabiishiug a more derieet line U-twivn
the will of the people and governmental
action.
I util not in «v in11:»tItv with tile idea
that it I* violative of any fundamental
principle to invoke the machinery pro
vidi-d by law. either to pas* a|x>u m«Mis
lires which tile public demands or In
dismiss a dislionesi iiii-oin|M’teiit or uu
fit pttblii- servant.
Every i*»r|*oration and individual now
has the right to do these things and il
can not In- wrong to give all of tin- vot
era the right to do in the management ol
the public business vvlial every individ
uni and cotporatimi can do in the mail
ngenient of tlu-ir own business.
It is ccriuiutv no mote umleiiioerati«
than the right we now haw to ih'titam
s|M*cific legislation u|m>m our ballots it
lK'ima-ratic primaries which may or may
not Im- olteyed by the legislal lire.
|*n»|***r restrictions should In- e*tab
liahevl requiring a va ry substantial |*-r
cent age of voters to sq in motion the**
i provisions when provided bv law.
haw no sympalliv with Mr. I'erga-nun
proposition when lie argued in his ojuni
ing s j ms * * ft that lie was favorable to al
these ptojHisitions and then gave an an
parciitly reluctant consent to their oxlah
lishmeni bv a law requiring .*»! per ecu
of the qualified voters to initiate or re
••all. Not more than two thirds of rh
votcra it snail'' participate in an election
ami under Mr. Ferguson’* plan it woub
t
uiri five sixths of the voters who
actually MHe to jirt lirfutv this right of
I lie people could lit* exercised.
Tli rs the |s*'»|»|<* who desired these
turiisiiits would 'hurt* the fate of Tania
Ins. who. immersed in clear and running
water with luscious- grapes siis|M*mhs|
above him and with head pinioned too
high Jo drink and too low to eat. and
hands so hound a* to render him unable
to dip up water or pull the gra|tes per-
ished. starved and faiuishcil-
M.UOIMTY NOMINATIONS.
There was a great outery raisetl from
vatious ipiariers 1hthu*c many prohibi
lion Iteinoerats of Texas. dcsiriotis of
the eleetion of a prohibition Itcmoerat
for Oovernor. expressed their preference
in every county in Texas one the satin*
• lav. in the o|s*ii and not in a eoruer
Democrats desiring to get together and
Isdiim! a enndidale with vvhnn they were
substantially agreed iijmmi a pnldie ipies
lion have exer asetl this righ! in open in
tin* part and to often Ini* it Ihvii done
behind closed doors and in seerel rail
• Ml SI'S.
Tin* pro uieiliod tltis year was so *ue-
M "fill that many aMti> attempted the
daylight mute but they made as signal
a failure as we made a sitei-ess. Futute
oiijert ions of e liter tiros <i antis to this
inv|i* of proeedure ran Is* avoided. Fleet
me Coventor of Texas and a legislature
in sympathy with majority rule and In*
fori* tin* sneereding Iautocrati** primary
there will In* a law in fori-e requiring
every ea miniate for a State off ire to get
a inujoritv of all votes -msi. either by a
|it>! eltoiee expression or the use of a
p referentml ballot to avoid a sen ad
primary. Fither way a e.iudidate ekosen
will have lieltiud him.in affirmative ex
prfssion of a majority tli.it they desire
him. or are wiling to have hint fill tin*
of fin* to vvliieh he aspires. I predirt
that under such a sys’ctu !e.-s rnuibdatcs
will offer tli.in now lake a rhnnre tinder
the plurality system which invite* di
visioqaud dis- i'ion. rather than unity.
KLKt'TlON LAWS AM' l AMi’AKiX
CONTKIIMTIOXS.
I favor a Jill re ballot tile holiest east-
ing ami counting of \v*cs. clean polities
and good government. Our election laws
should provide lietter safeguards against
illegal payment and isstiaiov of |>11
taxes ih" "irepiion o| the voter and siv
cure the calling and muiiting of the votes
as they are nisi ami their correct re
I in n.
Mori* stringent laws should Is* passe I
to secure these oioeels ilol to prevent
any vole being east miles a voter eati
■ either mark his own ballot or rail th
names of every candidate for whom le-
desires |o vote ailt] the office to be voted
i’nr before the «iftiters ttf election ami
vvaleht^s. and anv is-rs.iu wrongly mark
ing ilie hnlb t of another voter or tell
iug him how l«• vote for any |ht*oii-
IwtiiId Is* pul 1m*Iii*i«I thw bars.
The litpior dealer* ami breweries
should be miiiiH-lled by bond under pen
ally o 1 forfeiture of llieir licenses not
iti do any of the acts in respe •! to ch*c
lions forbidden by law. and ?h ir licenses
should It • forfeited it anv agent officer
or employe should eonlrjlnitt* to any can
ilidate or campaign fund.
We should have a miisl ilutioiial
a mm nd in* ii * disfranchising for five veals
all violators of our election laws. We
must stop the use oi large slims of
money in our elections whether corrupt-
!y spent «>f mu. so that 4 pool man can
afford lo run lor offii-e. Candidates
should lie limited |« reasonable exp* mli
lures and required. as now. to swear to
the source of all motley contributed t«*
IIn ir eamoaigii.
Campaign commit lees of every kind ex
(•ending nioiiev in primary or general
elections should In- r« «| 11 ito render
the same character of aeconul a* is re
t|iiirrt| of a Candida e-
LIVE STOTK IXTKKI.STS.
Texas has d ays dc|M*tided largely for
lier maierial progress atul development
Upon the great value of her live stock
indiisti is. As (Hipuiatimi lias increased
and lands have been* more valuable
for agricultural ptirimsew. in many see
tiolls il ills beell fotliul U U*Os*i' I .lltl" to
dedicate twenty acres of land to long
horned cattle when a family could In*
comfortably Mip|*»rtcd iletcon
111 some (tortious of the seel ion where
1 was b< in. entile mill hides were so
cheap in the veals gone by. and thills
*0 common that the industry of skinning
dead cattle and selling the hides to buy
tpiiniuc to break tin* chills was not im
common. The imp'-ovciucni hv iutclli
gei^t management and breeding of «*attle
hogs. sheep and goats has kept pan* with
if not in advance of. our «|eveht|tiitrnl
along other lilies.
Within reei*nt years great (tacking
houses have eotiM* to t»ur t|tM»rs furnish
iug employment to labor ami nearby
markets for our stock. The national
government as Will as the State gov
eminent has in part done its duty in
roo|ierntion with those engaged in this
great industry in l*eWciing conditions
by regulation of transport at but. iuspec
ii ti and proveniion of inception and
• spuv.'l of disease.
I favor s broad and liberal (sdiev in
• iNUiditig every proper energy of ihe State
gtivcnuneut and bringing n* I tear the aid
I of the National government in helping
the stock interests 14 Tex is. iu inereas
ing the benefits to our |nsi|ilr by way til
! intelligent and legitimate governmental
action iu projter ways. u-4 only to (tro
• mole the welfare ot the owners of large
. In is Is and stt». k. but the cucouragciticni
| of the raising l*y those who own or eon
i
trol Midi 11 bodies of laud of improved
grades of h< rise*. lUllles. eatlle hogs
sheep and goat* and helping them to find
iht best market therefor thereby con
irilmtiiijr greatly to the Inertuisisl value
and usefulness of this industry ami tin*
prosperity of a much larger numlicr of
our citizen*.
At Si: It I* Ml* UAL AFFAIRS.
I entile now to the coitMdcralion of
measures fur the welfare of those w ho
till the soil ami harvest its products and
upon whose pros|N*rity depends the pros
peril* of every t lass of our rit'zeiiship
I have no idle flattery t«• lay at the ftvt
of the farmers of Texas am! will not
create false hopes in their breasts by
promises whieh I ran not ho|s* to per
form. I know of the hardship* of the
farmer and the sr.mi reward that comes
from his toil. A* a farm hand with a
monthly wage of *I2TiU. as a clerk in a
country store a drummer on the road
and countrv merchant in uiv voting man
IiihmI I leannsl mm h of the tie iry
ecttm iuies. toil and sacrifice of our farm
» rs to make a living for themselves ami
families and anpiire ami pay for a home
of tliicr own.
I lea rued loo* that notwithstanding
these difficulties and h H'dshilM ill re
was a freedom and independence mu
nee'ed with their vocation an op port tin
il \ to cultivate ncighlsirly seutiuieut am
patriotic thought ami pur|M»sc which
has made of those who pnidiicc thei
ti nits uf the soil and provide the gran
aries of the world a citizenship that is
the recruiting ground tor the blood
brain and brawn which is the preserver!
of liberty the promoter of progress am!
the arrester of the dccadcn e which
wt uld come to our towns and cities lui
for the infusion of the Idood o| those
who had lived close to nature and ”bmke»: |
through nature up to nature's liod.*'
Our farmers are vitally interested in ‘
many tin a sure* for ttte liettermeiil of
i their eondilioii. among which are good j
roads a pro|s*r warehouse system in 1
eluding better methods for saving their
products from damage and waste rural
credits and a land policy which will nf
I'oi-.i thrifty ami industrious citizens nn
op|mrtitnilv to hay homes upon long1
lime and at low rates of interest.
Nolle of ill 's* subjects rail b pl*o|M*rly
treated in a single address and I liitlsl
content myself wiih a nn re outline of
some of th" lhough's which I entertain
upon this- iui|Njrtaiil matter*
«HMM» Rf».\l»S.
<ioo«l «lirt road* are i f (lie great* 't im j
|H*rtar*v 1«» our farming classes. Knorin
aus los-. of liliM*. energy ami coliifoll is
eiuis«s! iItem liv |nm*i* or impassable liigh
way*. ami year by year more ;ilU*nti«Hi is
being gi\* u tIii•> iin|*orlaiit subject. I<
ran not In* denied however that tle*re
lee* Imvii non Ii w.ikI** mid |hmii* return*
in many !u*taiovs. for m**tiey ■*|H*ut and
taxes voted for good roads
However we must not Ik* di***otiraged
i thereby. a* in the initial stage • t am
movement like this *u* I: tesults are to
tie r\jHfi*d Tin* National government
an*! tin* Slat** ti»t* National and Stale
departments <f Agriculture and the Agri
cultural ami Mechanical e«*llege should
in nil proper ways cooperate in giving
aid. iiif*»r*it.tIi*m in ! expert assistance
that 'he |K*op|e of Texas inav g**i the l****t
«la*** *d r**a«|s {Missihle ai ill** least p*>*
*ilde cost.
i
Till*: WA KI’IHH'SK sysTTM.
Til** S|al«* i t T* \iis should foster t n
courage and <*Kiperai** in providing a
system *d warehouses where the products
ol* tin* (arm call Im* stored and noi for*****l
ii|mhi the market at lou priei *. as js the
case with «nir «*otton crop. which is Hold
within a few* months to s.-rve the w**r!«l
tw«*lve mouths instead «d l***ing fed to
ih** market as needed for ****nsunipti**n.
Warehouse r* vipts *h<*al*i *iff**r a tie
gotiald** s« * uri'v upon which loans cniiM
Im* ha*l at low tales of interest ami mini
mii'ni carrying charge* should U* pro
tided.
Already oitr new eiirreiiey system ha**
stalled a movement in great hanking
centers looking to the aid of stu-Ji a «y>
tom. ami Texas must do h*-r full part in
working out this problem in cooperation
with producer*. lemlers. handlers ami
buyer*.
Tin* wanner in wh « li our cotton crop
of an annual value of over I^INMNNI.IHMI
js handled from the time it is gathered
r» presents an «‘iiormoi|s waste. Kx posed
to ih** weather while <*u tin* farm and at
th** potui of local shipment it li**s upon
the ground or on unsheltered platform*
and is not pro|M*rlv protect*-*! at com
presses.
Wilde |H*i*f« < ling our warehouse sy»
tern we must liN.k also to the pr lection
• •f our eoilon crop against these nmdi
tioiis. which cause country damage ami
other forms of waste ami loss which
runs into nr 11 hois annually. irrespective
**f unsHlisfa*|orv pri*vs ami marketing
coiidi l i**ns.
MAIIKKTINfi I’ROIMVTK
To find the hot markets ami rvach
consumer* at !h«* least n«sl. ImiIIi in *!*•
nn**tie and foreign shipments is a vital
sub **••!. Some three years ago in a
sjMivii Is-for** the Rusk county fair and
Ik-| on any I»i 1! had ever Imvii iiitriMluccd
therefor in < \titgrcv*. I declared that lh<*
National government was sjK*n*Hiig great
sums of money in getting information
als itt foreign mat kef* f*»r *mr nianufa*
tilling interests when niiiiii fact u ret*
w* t*** U-tter situated to fiud their *»un
markets than are tin* farmer*; that farm
era. *l«»ek misers ami like interests ought
to U* able to fiml out from their govern
meats State and National the Ih-*i mar
het* for llieir produel* at home and
abroad where their prod nets rnubl lie
plan'd upon I lie table* o| ||je fOllMIIU
ers at (he least |Mi**ih|e e< si; that a mar-
ket departliient *h<*ild Ik* establish'd by
the National government for str h pur-
pose and our Slate Agricultural depart-
ment should U* in dose toil' ll with such
National agency and such coop.-ration
would Ik-of untold value.
I am glad In sis* farming orginur.l ion*
farmers generally and our railways as
well as ottr National and State go'ern-
meitls. iH-ing aroused to action With
rural routes go.sl roads roo|n* ration by
pr'Kliavrs and eff«*cti'e action by go\
eruiiientul agencies our producers ean
lie pul in 'piiek I<nidi wilii eondilimis
existing ill all the markets which (heir
pi'Kluj is *eek. and returns thereon had
wish tie* least possibb* v'V|kiis«- and
Waste.
HrilAI. CltKIHTS.
Mudi i* lew being said and written
uImmiI the '|iii*stion of rural i-ruliti.
whereby our couutry men who live out
side of town* ami dims may obtain
money al reasonable rales wilh which j
to transact their business. si-cure loans
it|* *u binds ami buy leHues on longer
linn* and at lower rales o| interest.
Tile 'plest jolt is eoiupsirn lively a new
one in our State and nation but it i*
one that must In* met and solved. Our
new National eurreinv system of whirli
I was an rai not supporter and our
Texas banking laws together with other
avenues for obtaining money afford <h>*
iiest opp« riunity we have ever had for
litiilditig up a comprehensive plan to
help our pi'Kliieiug classes and make it
|Mis*jh|e for our homeless but thr fly and
industrious citizen* to better their con
• illtoils amj l**co|ne owners of ihe laud
upon whidi they live
v Congress has now I**fore it a bill cm
bracing she suhjot of rural credit* a*
a pari of the National system. Our
Slate banking laws ean In- made «*oo|K'ra
live wilh National law* and the present
Stale law as t<> credit muons ran Ik* p-r
let l«sl. and thus a rural credit wy stem
ean In* devised and put in operation
using both National and Slate agencies
and in eiKtperation with private capital
lessen the burdens and offer op|Kirtuni
lies in our tanners siteh as they have
never enjoyed in tin history of the State.
While iIn* people of Te\a* may Hot oh
tain money al as low rates as some proin
i«e. 1 d*» not agr«e with Mr. Ferguson
when lie says that “all this big wind'
tlhiny about the government loaning you
money at cheap rate* of interest to buy
a In me may do your grandchildren some
good bat it will not help you The sub
ject is a live one and tin* farmers of Tex
is and other States ran be relieved and
greatly improve their eondil ions in tic-
near future if lIto*i cje« is| In oi l ice do
their duty.
LAXI> I’llOltLLMK.
Wit Mi* the thin* will never oine that
ail men will exercise til" necessary
eeottomv. industn and sacrifice to put
themselves in tin- home owning class it
is a matter of great public coiuvro that
every tlirift\ ami hard working citizen
of Texas should Is afforded opportunity
to live under his own vine and fig tree
and Is* tilth* to say this is mine.
t '• »im I i t ions in Texas as to land owner
ship are not nearly so bad as in foreign
countries and some of the ohlrr State*
bill they are far from satisfactory. Not
withstanding the rutting tip of large
land holdings in many sections of th"
Stale tenants hate increased out
proper pro|mrtion to home owners am!
tin* imputation of towns und cities has
shown a uimh greater increase thall has
on.1 mini |*ii) illation. While this con
dilicai i*aa i.ot Is* absolutely .. .oiile.l.
the tendency is lor etlies and town* to
grow as compan*d with the country when
imputation liceomes more dcu«e. it is a
matter of great rotn-crti to make rouutry
life attractive and to anchor a** many
|s*« pie its |*«*»sih!e by their b c mi* g
holin'owners. Kvery legitimate ftinctiou
of government. National and State-
should !•*■ In ought to hear in roojw ration
with private capital to a *eompli>h this
great |mr|ms<* and it i> a part of wi»
• loin to iuke time by the forclm k alid
guard against a land owning few and
a homeless many. Texas should enter
U|mmi a fixi*d and definite land (sdiey
which will ili'omragi* land moiio|Mdy. en
ciairage the breaking up of large land
holding* and tin- acquisition by our |s*o
pie of homes and small farms.
All kinds of suggesti.*iis are being
made and tin* remedies offered are ni
Uiost its diverse as tin* iitimlicr of flieir
pro|mm*iits. In disi ii-'ing ibis subject
I shall give you my view|mtint letting
you know in a candid way my opinion*
a* to condition* existing remedies s-lg-
gcMtcd which do not appeal to me. a> wen
as iln**e which I deem worthy of «*oii*id
era lit m.
There arc y#t millions of acres of land
in Texas that can Is* secured by the
homeless at reasonable priv*. and large
luimls r of hoMM*s<*ekers are annually
(milling to this State.
Much h»s ls*cii said about conserving
our public schis-l lands for actual set-
tlers when tin* truth is to do >u would
Is* "locking tin* stable after the horse is
out.' as there are practically no public
school lands upon which a home owner
could make a living on a hnndrcd und
sixty urn s if it were given to him.
Tin* I'ni\er*ity of Texas has about twt
million acres of land mm h of it suitabb
for honn *tead pur|**s«-s. and thorn* lam!
might Is* utilized'in the manner I shall
presently suggest. We not*:. however rely
j largely ujsni privately owned lands for
*** t
I
tinuie*lead opportunities.
IV lore discussing i ae |tro|M»*iiiouN
v. hieh a|i|M'iir to me worthy of st-riou* eon
stilrraliim .mil tour attention it will Is*
in order to di>rn.*» some views whieh are
not worthy of consideration or not lik
lv to Is- adopted.
t 'oilfiscal ion of ail land* alsive loo
to re* ha* ls*eii seriously projMiscd by a
Mio.ll number Imt happily ihcre'are few
citizens of Texas who wttiil.l Maud for
mi. h a proposition.
<'oiwIeiuiialioH and purchase of private
lauds b\ the 1*1.tie for sale to individuals
l u make In ’in* s ii |m hi. is not subject to the
fundament*! objection* that confiscation
Would Is- but 1 do uol Udieve the pr.>|»o
sit ion a practical our or warranted by
condition* existing in Fcxa*. I do not
believe eouditioio vvjll arise in Texas a*
in In land to jusiini such drastic mcav
urt.!*.
The pro|M>iiion to allow the State lo
purchase binds from owners willing |o
sell lo be sold to home buyers. i* less ol.
:ectinliable but I do not Iwdiexe iliat this
exercise «»f sevnagnty will Is* a. eepte.l
by our people or that it would meet the
hope* and cx|»crlaiiun* uf its advocates.
Tin* t>ni|Mesiiioti to allow the Slate to
lend it' credit to lionie buyers is attract
ivc to umiiv Inn bristles with difficultic*.
l*or tin* Stale to ciuidemti lands pri
vaielv owned tor s.i|«* to purchasers of
lioincs. or without coiidemuaiion to buy
tor stub purpose from laud owner* will
lug t>* veil or to I* ml its cn-nii to help
buy homes from parties owning I iml.
would break down Him credit of tin* Stale
ami create coui|iclitivc land buyers which
would cause an advance in land values
out of all pro|Mirtion to any interest rat- *
that the SiaK* could |m>siblv save; he
sid« *. this Stale eotlld not under! do* the
work ot improving such lati I* with homes
it could not undertake to impure into the
merit* of applicants ami liny for one ami
not give like opportunit\ to others and
we would enter upon a | volley which ought
not to Ik* considered until all ies* objei*-
tioimble plans have ls*eit tried and
f.filed.
Here an* vonto propositions worthy of
*erioits consul-'ration.
The exemption of improvements u|h>m
loinestcad.* in towns and counties from
State taxation up lo a reasonable vulua
• ion. The exemption id ail land* from
State taxation fixing a maximum at
vhich tile counties c.-uld tax. therein do
ng away with non unifortniiv at whieh
land* i|t various counties are rendered
let ting the count ic* get the Ivrin-fits of
II laud lax Tin* State could Is* *iip|M»r:
rd with revenues from other son ties .-ol
leelnl without the Id |N*r cent now paid
for asses iiig and mill'd ing alul save
then by an ciiorntiHi* sum annually. An
inheritance lax on lands of non resident
descendants graduated a* to value i* now-
provided for and applied to laud* of r**s
•dents a* wall. Such school lauds as w.»
have adapted for home* for actual *.*t
tier should Is* reserved for that ptirp
The State might buy the 1 "nix«*r-il.v
! in.I at a fair value which by irrigaii •>.
>r ; * now. can Is* converted into small
i.irii.s. giving its bund* therefor and tb*
voting the land* a* far a* «***.I■* * to
homes for actual settlers on cm: 'inn*
in*) low interest. No loss com*] rone* to
the St;de thereby as tin- I’nive;*:*? must
• supported.
t r. .. __ft. 12 . . f... .I.
I I I "III (Mil I
purchaser* of homes mu ex« ceding 1
.errs could Im* Hindi* *nfi\ imhI interest
tlis favorably ill fill** Hied thereby. and
line million a year made avail
ifile |oi | irm loan*.
|'aii|i. building and loan association-
eoiild 1m- aiithorixcd to buv *ulr livide and
»■ II land* to home laivers; *neh assoeia
bon* Mould not lie subject to the objec-
tion of the framers of our Constitution
prohibiting a laud corporalion.-Iheir ob
ter* being to prevent » »r|*nratinM* from
!itoiio|. di/iiig atnl holding land. Such as
- cialiotis -innild In- limited as In amount
• f land lh«o could acquire to rcasouattlt*
profits u|mat (he cost of tin* laud improve
incuts am! building thereon and ihe;r
stock ami securities should In* i**iird n|mn
■ipprovad of pro|M-r officer* of the State
ts in case of railroad securities and with
»iirli other safeguard* as might In* deemed
1 necessary. Objection to limited profit* i*
ilisuercd by the f.ct thill none need en
gage in the business and that by such
limitation* providing against gnssl and
«jM*cul dive values a ready market could
J «• Jimii;1 for their notes and ** • uritie*
|and parsed on bv the Slate vvliich would
muijsMsjiie them for b***cr profit* and
lower rali*»* of interest.
In Last Texas there sire millions of
aer»s of fertile laud capable of raising
ill kinds of crops which nut Im- had at
reasonable price* and if ••tit up in small
farms sufficient to create a lnaac for »v
erv tenant farmer in Texas This limber
i*d land cannot In handled aides* capital
sutfieiciit is engaged which can utilise
he hardwiMNl and prc|ian* and provide
enough farms ami koine* and a schrnd
house to make a uepililtorkood: un n wdl
not go in ami make u clearing in thi-
day. away from micietv. church and
schools. Large holding* in till* great Ida* k
land country could Im* acquired and sub
divided in this way whrvi* the owner*
would not ••are to sell off a small trait
here and there a ml lb** nwhmrs would no
doubt join to a great extent in thi* move
UM’llt.
Ill West Texas and in the great Const
•anmtr% *m It home building association*
could do a gn-at work.
Hnibling and loan a*socialion* in out
cities and towns have enabled teas of
thousand* "f wage earner* to buv an I
j pav for holm** uiNMi ill'1 installment plan
limit tlicse nssoiialions have not had such
-afe guard* around th* m. Why should
the farmers of Texas uliable to unite
large payment* at ftr*l ami obtain long
linn*. I** denied tin* privilege which
inane home owner* in our cities and
towti* Have had in Incoming home w
• is? With :• system of mr.il credit* na
tiotial in it* scope; with laid bank.- or
enlarge ! futicii«»n* of State bank* stud
' credit union* In the Stale; v itl» an It *ri* v
• tn iav«*t s«-Ii*m»I funds i| laml loan* safe-
1 h guarded; with farm building ami ..
■».>** iaI'uilis thus Mllhon/.ed 1111*1 amend
meots to our tax law* that may be found
dc*irabb all cooperating to a tenan*
4 W
u|«Mi ihe share 1*1*11. These proptwUlema
ran la- |»ni up i*» ill*' |s*oplc of Texas in
• in- wav hereinafter pr*-p*»x***l
Ti;\.\.M S1IAUK 5VHTKM.
Wh>‘ti Studentv **f economics our tin-
lioiii l ninl slate govermmut and estate!*
ally (Hir/farming clasxe*. yy**iv m**>t *crit»
uiiajy consider mg the la'ttering of agri
i tillural conditions and <»|>|a»rtuuitic* l«>
llliike hoiue owners Instead of tenaiits it
is unfortunate that Mr. Ferguson -lion 1*1
have I** put* u campaign lor lloveritor
upon what he terms "the biggest question
!i Tex.la." ill.it i>. lli*' regulation of farm
rent*.
Mr. Ferguson tells yon that “the erv of
cheap ims'iiy is a Hig windy which may
»!•» your grandchildren good bill not you. *
And »hi* i» in lli*- fad **f an urmi-ril in
tercst. in State ami nation in working
out a system of rural credit* lain! banks
a wareUou-e »y stent. Is'tt« r marketing con*
oiiicns and general cuo|s*nitioii by
which tnnners can l**iu*r get the fruits
ui their toil ami obtain cheaper money
with which to I ra it'‘ad their business and
l*e given a lietter « hame to own their
oyy|| homes. Mr. Ferguson says- I quote
him: "For lift.' years the gi**l old rah*
>1 cropping on the third and fourth ami
• ui halves. hn» laeit custom im Texas. As
long .is vve had lln» gissl old ayalem we
never h**a*l **f ill;* xocialixl ami tiler** was
to reason or cause tor his «*»mplaiiit.”
I Ji'.iv** io ih<* ****ia I * *1 s ami Mr. Fer-
gus'* i«i «li»euss whether «»i” m»l Ill's one-
third and on* fourth ami hither proposi*
lion rovers th«* fi**l«l of ***rtali*t though
an I theory of government. 1 l**ave to tin*
tenant tanners wh**th**r they l«*»k back
upon i he tiflv Years gone by as the hairy-
in i**iio*l which Mr. Ferguson ik*scril***
»ii*l win liter they will Is* satisfied a* In*
M-etus to ihiuk they will I** it only tin*
tan Is* yi'eu the proild privilege f**r tin*
next fil*tv v* irs **l working tin* laud*
of .Mr. Ferguson ami other landlords u|s*n
hi* go.si obi rule.
As for me. I *b* m*t believe In* will Im-
able to lull the great body of teiianis ill
this Stale into a false sen*** **f security
l»v making lln-iu Is-liev** that his plan will
vvtiik or ihat tlicv woabl la* happy ami
**•11 ten I if lits. iiupraetii al plan were b*l
lowed
if Ids pro|M*sitit*u Is* sound why not
regulate lln* reals which the wage earn-
er* in tin city pay. when* it is as hard
for litem to llliike Inn kie ami toglic meet
am! pay increased co-i of living ami high
er prices o fpruduct* ami higher prenls.
i* «iiy pro|M*rtv is advancing in value
Wt**re than farm pro|s*rty?
Why fix tin- tUir*l ami fourth for rent
\v Is n leu;ml* * an Is-Jtcr altord t*» pay
even a botiit* as -oiae are doing in midi
lion io the share* Im names for some laud
lhail |o wmk the laud that some renters
w**ck. for itothfng?
Why m*l fix Hu* profits upon mules ami
entile and lioraea. and what umrehauls
shall charge f«*r tlnir gtnnl*?
lli* | »ro p* mi immi is unscientific. unsound
ami ill* gal ami e*»ubi is* im*l by tin* site
pie statement that the supreme rtmrl of
tin- railed Slates ha* held that the right
**i private contract cannot thus be destroy
i**L
11 has imi atmlgv to fixing the charge*
of trun>|Mirtai.ioii ami <|uu*i public* cor
|Mti*atioiis. The*) lake ih«ir charters sub-
ject to <M>'li • wi iiiliolis. Ii lias no uuolgv
to money which has its legal tender quai
ity lk\»s| by law and which is u ereuture
of the law.
Mr. Ferguson stands for regulated ten-
antry. I stand for home ownership and
opportunities fur tenants in Texas to join
ilie thousands of home eiwuers win* were
(nil satisfied to remain In.ml'. Imii by
hrilt and industry hate acquired homes
tor themselves and ill ir families even
under adverse eoudiliotts and with low
prices lor products.
Air. Ferguson admit' I hut it may lake
*i eoiislitnt ioiral amendment for his plan.
|i«s> alivlHMlv think ihe pcsiplc* of Texas
will ewer piss saeh an amendment or
that the legislature would pu*» sin h a
law. or any lawyer think i* would stand
• he ii si' «|f the courts eveu if pa>sed?
This issue nmy do to run for office on.
hilt WI* ean never get the |soplc to put
it into effect and why should 'Hill a bait
Im- swallowed while n-al is.suew are lost
sight of*
State and nation landlords and ten
ants bankers and business men. and all
classes of eitiarjiship. ean get together
•i|mii itM-asures which will bring relief to
those* engaged in agric ultiiral pur'iiits
■ nd sfang together and pull together with
• »iii prefuciiee or passion in working there
for.while Air. Ferguson's plan run only
bring disscsicMi. diseord and delay re lief
LKiilSI.ATIVK PIMM IK AM.
If suIhiii'siou eurric-s in the duly pri-
maries. the legislature ought to Im- able
within three day* after il meet* to pass a
joint rcsoliiilfui and suhitiit the prohibi
lion amend men! *n duly lbl.c. Il submis
. ion fill- .no mu eh election can Im- held
and whet He r it carries or foil*. there need
Im- no negleet of other gre-at public- cpn-s
lions.
With submission di*)MM*e*el of. the legis
lltiire v ill Is- urged to pul the State upon
h c-ash h;c'is. provide for tin- need* of our
• institution* of learning our eueemoccyn
a ry instil at ion* make provision for fire
proof buildings for the Idittd take* our
insane from count* Jutl* to a pr«q*er a*y
him ai d cm.iblc* all «»f tie- departments of
Slat* to earn on the Slate's htisincss
Then I am going to ask tin* legislature to
stav villi me iu Ansi in all summer it
necessary to weirk oot law* and msshsl
i•institutional antendi»n*nts. to siitisfae
t eerily solve our a grim It oral problem
with its is*|iic I sultiiTtw i f a land |*o|iry.
rural el* dlls w:irc*hoo*c* sysle-ttt. prote-c
tiou of farm pr*Mlue»s from damage het
ter marke t ing roll fitb.n* farm develop
I went M'stM-iictions and lav laws and in
dciing this I shall Invoke the aid of repre-
sentative** of the farming banking ware
hc«*e and 'hipping Interest studentm of
ecsutcimis. Hied all those whose advice and
! judgment w ill I"* helpful. Muhjc-ets that
ean Is- Mgncd iijmiii will lie* provided bv
statute- an t where constitutional amend
nieiit* are necensjify or protier. I skull ask
tin* legislature to -uhtuii them to a direct
ivole of the |snp|c‘. and to provide- funds
ffoutimnd on page- ?*.)
I . *
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Slattery, Martin J. Brownsville Herald (Brownsville, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 241, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 22, 1914, newspaper, April 22, 1914; Brownsville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1375959/m1/5/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .