Message of Governor James S. Hogg to the twenty-fourth legislature of Texas Page: 9 of 48
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MIESSAGE OF GOVERNOR HOGG.
9
LAND CORPORATIONS.
To carry out the Constitutional inhibition against perpetuities and
monopolies, the last Legislature declared that the unrestricted ownership
of lands in this State by private corporations is a perpetuity, and therefore
prohibited. It simply winds up what are known as "land corporations"
having in view the ownership of rural lands for agricultural, horticultural,
or speculative purposes. It does not interfere with the right
of corporations to acquire or own lands for the purpose of carrying on
their legitimate business; and it gives to the then existing private corporations
whose main purpose or business was the acquisition or ownership
of lands, fifteen years from the date of the act within which to part
in good faith with their titles. As in the case of aliens, those land corporations
failing or refusing to sell their lands within fifteen years from
the date of the law, are liable to have them sold under proceedings instituted
by the State's attorney, and the money deposited subject to the
corporation's order. Neither as to aliens nor corporations, was the purpose
or effect of the law to confiscate property or to destroy vested rights.
They are wise measures, adopted at a suitable time, for the purpose of
protecting the titles of our soil from the domination and control of
non-resident aliens and corporations. Experience will more fully attest
their efficacy when the people realize the true condition of their neighbor
States who liave failed to adopt like measures.
THE FIVE LAWS.
It is with much pride that these five measures are pointed to as the
future safeguards of the people's rights and liberties. They prevent the
confiscation of the people's property through the methods of excessive,
discriminating transportation charges. They save posterity from the
onerous burdens and confiscation through the method of fictitious railway
bonds and stocks. They secure the people of to-day and of the future
from extravagant municipal bonded indebtedness, which, unchecked,
would lead to their bankruptcy. They guard for all time the citizens of
the State in the enjoyment of the land for homes, without the threat of
absentee landlordism or the danger of corporate monopoly. Above all,
they sound in justice and obey the spirit of the Constitution.
OTHER LAWS AND MEASURES.
Many other laws have been passed that directly or incidentally benefit
the people. During the past four years a home for the maimed and
helpless ex-Confederate soldiers has been established and maintained at
the expense of the State, without resorting to taxation. Injured women
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Hogg, J.S. (James S.). Message of Governor James S. Hogg to the twenty-fourth legislature of Texas, book, 1895; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5862/m1/9/?rotate=270: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .