Texas. Legislature. Joint Committee to Investigate the Purchase of Blue Ridge Farm

The Texas Joint Committee of Investigation into the Prison Commission and the Lease of the Blue Ridge Farm was created by House Concurrent Resolution 6, 36th Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, May 7, 1919. The committee was to investigate the lease by the Texas State Prison Commission of 5,000 acres known as Blue Ridge Farm in Fort Bend County, to be farmed by prison convicts. The lease between the Prison Commission and the owner gave the state an option to puchase the land. After oil was discovered on the farm, the owner convinced both Governor William P. Hobby and the prison commissioners to sign a release waiving their option to purchase. By doing so, the state lost an opportunity to acquire the farm at a figure well below market value. Questions were raised about the validity of the release and the joint committee was formed to investigate this issue and leasing practices in general by the Prison Commission.

The committee held hearings in May and June 1919 and heard testimony from over twenty witnesses, including Governor Hobby and the Prison Commissioners. The committee issued its findings and recommendations in a report to the legislature criticizing the actions of the Prison Commission and concluding that the waiver of the option was null and void. The committee recommended that the legislature use every means available to exercise the option to purchase the land and to restrict the leasing powers of the Prison Commission with private landowners.

(Sources include: the guide survey completed for this material.)

From the guide to the Joint Committee to Investigate the Purchase of Blue Ridge Farm proceedings and testimony, 1919, (Texas State Archives)