The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-12-18
VOL iii.
AUsTN-PREsENT I'D FUTUnE.


ACSTEN-PREsBNT AND FUTURE.
The situation Of Austin, the Capital of
the great State Of Texas, is confessedly un-
rivaled in the United States, perhaps, on
the continent. Covering number Of gen
tie hills Of easy ascent which swell out
from . high bluff on the Colorado. river,
Just below its outlet from the higher hills
on the west, il commands the most beauti-
full views on every side, and has the most
complete drainage that could be imagined.
The consequence of these advantages is an
exemption from mud and dust and unusual
general health and comfort throughout the
year. The heat Of summer is tempered by
the fresh sea breezes Of the Gulf, and the
cold Of winter is only sufficient to brace
up the system and it it for every in
nocent enjoyment. The numerous live
oaks, scattered here and there over
the hills in and around the city, give
It q cheerful appearance throughout the
dreariest December and January, and the
rides in every direction are delightful at
any season. AT its feet flows the Colorado,
which, Notwithstanding its name, rolls on
for nearly the year round its crystal cur
rent to the Gulf, while on the east you look
down the rich valley, stretching along its
sandy banks, and on the west behold the
towering elevation Of Mount Bonnell, with
all its romantic associations. Such is Aus
tin by nature, and as yet but little aided by
the labors of man.
At the close of the war, Austin had
scarcely over three thousand people within
its limits-now it numbers over ten thou
sand. Then, with the exception of the
public buildings. 1t could show little in the
way Of architecture, Its houses being mostly
small and built of wood Now it con-
tains on the principal business streets,
Congress Avenue and Pecan, long lines of
stately and substantial edifices of stone. and
brick, and, in its extensive suburbs, may be
seen beautiful villas with every modern i'm
provement. Since we first visited Austin,
during the civil war, the change has been
marvellous for Southern city. It's growth
and improvement have been great and unri-
vailed, except by Dallas in the northern
portion of the State. Though during a
portion of the time the city has been under
the control of officials appointed by the
military authorities, the citizens thereof
having ne voice in its government, and
though much was done by them of very
doubtful utility and much Of actual Injury,
yet has her march been at all times onward
and she now presents a very favorable pros
pect with still brighter hopes in the future.
What has mainly done all this2 Why has
Austin so grown and prospered9 1t
must be confessed, however, fashionable it
is becoming Of late to abuse railroads,
that the growth and prosperity of our city
is mostly to be attributed to the completion
of the Central Railroad to its eastern boun-
Diary and the expectation of other roads,
soon to be built and to centre here. With
out these helps, Austin would have in
creased and improved, no doubt, like most
other Southern towns and cities, slowly, but
with these completions and expectations,
her progress has been rapid, and she is now
what she is, the beauty and pride of Texas.
Much has been done, but much more re-
mains to do. Austin requires imperatively
the completion Of two more railroads, the
International, to connect her more immedi-
ately with New York and the East, and the
road south to Indianola, to give her a shorter
communication with the Gulf. She must
have substantial and enduring bridge
across the Colorado at tho foot of Congress
Avenue, the very centre of the city. She is
about to get gas and she must have an
abundant supply Of wafer, also, for both use
full and ornamental purposes. She viii soon
have completed tho finest sidewalks on the
Avenue to be found anywhere, perhaps, in
the South; but her streets must be still fur
ther improved, and covered drainage sew
eTs built Of rock Of ample size) should be
constructed on both sides of Congress Ave
nue. The present plan Of the city authori-
ties viii not do, as we have said over and
over, and shall continue to say until the
plan be abandoned We do not want, every
hard rain, river running down the main
beautiful street Of our city, and we must
get rid Of the unsightly and inconvenient
little bridges which now disfgureit. When
this great improvement and many others
are made, when We have done all within our
power to do, and which our duty requires us
to do, then will Austin become still more
the beauty, tho pride, and the glory Of
Texas.