The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-08-04

TO the Editor WoRKmeMAE's ADVOCATE:
SIR 1T is but seldom that q copy Of
your valuable paper reaches this part Of the
world, but when In the course Of human
events, one does Hoat BY We sieze upon il.
eagerly peruse its contents, and most heart
lily endorse the sentiments Of its cultivated
editor. Thinkieg that short sketch Of the
+" Lone Star Slate," it's resources and de-
velopments, its attractions for and induce
ments TO strangers, might be acceptable TO-
majority Of your readers, we have sub.
Joined q few facts regarding the largest and
least known state in the Union. Ii don't
know whether We are i'm yet or not.) Texas
extends from East to West through about
six degrees OF longitude, and from North to
South through i've and hal. degrees Of
latitude, embracing within its vast limits
nearly every variety OF climate and produce
lions known in the United States. Of this
large territory only about one-sixth ia in
ihabited, and scarcely one seventh under
cultivation, leaving srx-sevenths Of the
finest pasture lands known in America. un-
used, save by the wild deer Of the prairies.
This state is divided into three grand phys
zeal sections, viz: The coast lowlands, ex-
tending from Louisiana to Mexico: the
alacent undulating prairie country, slightly
timbered; and that hilly and somewhat
mountainous region which extends from the
Rocky Mountains northwest to Red River.
comprising, also, that plain denominated by
the Mexicans, nj lauo estacedo,v which i
four thousand feet over the level Of the
Gulf, utterly destitute Of water. having
scarcely a landmark To guide the traveller.
The eastern portion Of the state Is vatered
by the Sabine, Naches and Red rivers
the middle by the Trinity and lis siuncts,
and the Brazas the western nv the tribu-
taries of the Brazas, the Colorado. San
Antonio, Gandaloupe and Rio Grande The
principle outlet for the productions Of the
eastern portion of the state is Shreveport.
La This portion of the state is filing
rapidly with good classi Of population.
and Is destined at some future day to form
state Of its own. The principal produc-
lions are cotton, corn and wheat
The middle portion is much broken. and
differing in many features from the eastern
division. The surface is broken into small
sand hills covered by a thin scattering
growth "a scrnbby oak, and in some places
covered by almost impenetrable thiekets q
small oaks. The region is interspersed
however, especially in the eastern part, by
trac1& rich, heavily timbered land. and IN
the A6sceth, east OF Trinity River ore vast
almost ihexhaostibie forests or pine,
destined az some future day to supply oil
ne Gulf States with lumber. This region
~ also rich m iron and coal and recent in
vestigations have proven IL to be the finest
oil region in the world. This part Of Texas,
especially the sandy hills, is peculiarly
adapted 70 the culture Of the grape. Upon
almost every mound are vines loaded with a
Proiusion OF the finest fruit. As yet the
cultre of the grape can scarcely he termed q
branch or Texan agriculture: although. Al
some future Day not far distant, il villa be
second only to France, in the production of
~ grape. The money i'm cotton IN cansing
ID culaure to b. The aIl-sbsorbiag bfanch u
agriculture at present
In the southern division Of this STATE is
situated Houston, the metropolis, in which
centre i've railroads. whose iron arms
extend through the richest portion Of the
State, add pour into Houston untold quaint
ties OF cotton, corn, wheat and hides. The
Texas Centrsi r. H., w. j. Hutchins, Presi-
dent, win soon commence building in the d.
reotioa Of Kansas City, via Fort Smith,
Ark. This road now extends over hundred
miles Of the finest part OF Texas The Tex
President, is in . rapid stale Of progression,
And ina few years the Crescent City andl
Houston viii be linked BY the finest railroad
in the South. This road possesses more in
exhaustble pine forests, thus affording on
every outlet any quantity Of lumber. Next
upon the list is the Galveston and Houston
r. R., A Sessums, President, connecting the
metropolis with the Beautiful lslanaL City.
Upon this road is shipped nearly all the pro-
,duce destined for Northern and European
markets, and, although two lines OF daily
steamboats, run from Houston 70 Galveston, !
IN opposition, yet, the road does an immense
business, and annually reaps . golden har
vest. Civil Engineers aud thousands Of
Irishmsn are badly needed upon ell the
roads. Any number Of Irishm-n would be
hired upon almost any terms, and kept con-
tinually Ut work for years 10 come. The
Top and Brazoris T. r, sud The Buffalo
Bayou, Sraycs and Colorado H. r. pass over
rich portion Of Texas, snd bring much
cotton and sugar TO market The spirit OF
railroad building seems to burn afresh in
every part Of Texas. and companies are
being organized and capital collected Cor the
purpose % erryias eeir ssAsn@ istc
effect.
The corn and cotton crops Of the State
ars 10. far fair, yet Ne army worm u be-
ginning to make it appearance among the
staple, and many fears are entertained for
the crops. The rains this year are almost
without precedence, Il being the wettest
ss1son in she annals OF Texss; much dck-
ness IL looked for in consequence, and somsl
opine that yellow fever uili break oas in
our midst this year. Many families are
leaving to while away Their fashionable
hours upon the Gulf or Lakes or in some
Northern city, leaving Ne city 70 lean
apctAecasies, hungry. iootiag physicians,
and poor clerks. 4l
!, Professor Cline, an accomplished teacher,
IL attempting to organize system Of free
schools In the State; afEhod9h The scheme
meets With some Opposition, as N has done
elsewhere, yet, the accruing benefits are 50
evident, that tie majority will, no doubt,
acquiesce in the matter.
The Texas Teacherss Convention has lust
adjourned, the talent Of the State was well
represented, and their proceedings are dss-
tined TO Hield vast inlinenes for good M
on the present - veil - oOning generation.
Their acknowledge abiiIhy - teashsrs will
cause the profession 10 rank precedent to
any in thu land Ptofnnna, AGlf~~ NJ Na-