The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1872-09-12
The Capitol Question.

opponents of Austin for capitol hon =
ors; the former much the most for>
midable of the two. What have either
OF these places however to offer as an
lnducement for the location OF the
capitol with them? Waco boasts of
its central location, its wealth, its i'm
Provements and its morality, and urges
all these as inducements for the loca>
ton of the capitol at that point.
Houston claims that it is rich, influential
and practically the center of the State,
and urges, besides, that its location is
a remarkably healthy one az
Of course each of these places
would like exceedingly well to have
the capitol; that is, besides the honor
attached to it, their citizens would like
it in a speculative point of view. But
are such purposes to guide intelligent
and disinterested voters by no means.
They know that but little or no faith
is to be given to the promises of cor
porations or communities, that the
immense taxation necessary towards
establishing the capitol elsewhere will
be saved the State by the generosity
Of the places themselves. All such
promises are nothing more than moon.
shine, and should one Of these places
secure the capitol, a nitiable complaint
would at once be raised in regard to
the inability to procure such large
sums of money for the public good
| (more properly private) and the very
first legislature would have clamorous
petitions presented it for buying ground,
constructing buildings, andbeautifYiUg
the capital of the great State Of Texas.
Yes, and the great Ststo of Texas
would have TO be provided with capitol
improvements commensurate with its
future magnitude. In case of removal
the successful place would require two
o.. three millions of dollars to con-
| struct permanent improvements. Il
the people are disposed in the imme-
date future to have their burdensome
taxes doubled, simply to establish a
lively real estate brokerage for Waco
or any other place, We are very much
mistaken in them. The fact is the
people will not allow themselves 10 be
led into any such snare.
The removal of the capitol would
Increase taxes, while if it still remain;
at Austin there will be no absolute
necessity for any further expenditure:
for a long time to come; not until tho
people, overlooking with pride and
wealth, desire to improve the seat o.
government on grand scale. A
present the State has all the buildings
necessary, and they have cost it large
sums. All the archives are here, and
the expense of removing them, beside
probable damage, would be by nc
! means inconsiderable. These are some
of the weighty questions, but there ar
others still. Austin is positively tn
most healthy place in the State; it
entirely above the malarial district
the Colorado dashes by it clear an,
pure upon bed of sand and stone
the atmosphere, directly from tn
mountains covered with cedar sur
F rounding it, is the very embodiment q
health, and the everlasting supplies c
pure water, with which the city coul
:: - --'=::::J ..ild rneapiy suPphed, ar
considerations worthy of reflection. /
is said that case of malarial diseas
has never originated in Austin, and ii
history shows that an epidemic la
never visited it. The Importance {
having the seat of government at sue
. place must be acknowledged. Pictul
, its location where fearful diseases max
5 periodical visits, and think of tn
! panics, the wholesale flight of govern
5 ment officials and clerks, a feein
t Governor, an abandoned treasury, a
3. absent Comptroller, panic,slrickel
! Adjutant General, a vacated Ian
= Office, or the whole government apps
/. ratus for time on railroad wheel
and reflect doubly well on your votr
First, the people cannot afford to hay
, their taxes increased at this time, an
5 certainly, when forced to do their dul
, as Legislators or otherwise, or to pro
s ecute necessary business at the capito
r they will prefer to have it where then
i selves and families can spend a pleas
ant season with security to themselves