What requirement was mandated by the legislation in 1905 regarding school lands?

The legislation mandated in 1905 concerning school lands required that these lands be sold through competitive bidding. This approach was implemented to ensure transparency and fairness in the disposal of state-owned lands designated for public education. By requiring competitive bidding, the legislation aimed to maximize revenue for the state’s school fund, providing vital resources for educational purposes.

This requirement also helped establish a structured process for land sales, which could deter corrupt practices and favoritism, ensuring that all interested buyers had an equal opportunity to bid on the school lands. This competitive element has continued to be a significant aspect of land transactions in Texas, helping maintain integrity in dealing with public assets.

The other options do not align with the legislative intent of providing a fair and competitive framework for the sale of school lands. Selling through auction or giving the lands away for free would not have served the legislative purpose of maximizing funds for public education. Additionally, requiring annual surveys would not be relevant to the process of selling the lands but rather pertains to land management practices.