The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-09-24
Local Matters.


49,
Aussin-Hsr Rusurs.
While Austin has many attractions and ad-
vantaees that many other cities IN the State do
not possess, still her future rapid growth and
prosperity Is q matter Of doubt. In some r.
spects her geographical location 4 an sdvsn.
tage, while in other respects Il Il q disadvan-
tage to her II the vast country lying west.
northwest and southwest Of this city was
thickly settled, and the rich SCH was under
state Of cultivation, Austin would for ysazs be
the natural great commercial centre FOR the
industries Of the population in thoss locall-
ties, but the sections alluded to are but very
sparsely settled, and the tide Of immigration
to this western portion Of the State 4 compar.
atively meagre, with no catering prospect Tor
an early increase. Even the country immedi.
aiely round about Austin e sparSely settled.
and unless an effort bemade 70 attract heavy
immigration TO Travis county, thousands Of
acres Of rich soil within q few miles Of the
State capital may lay dormant and unpro-
ductive for years 70 come, contributing moth
ing to the city that should draw vitality and
nourishment from It. Gradually and surely
trade that heretofore found its way to
Austin, both north and south Of the city,
is being tapped by railroads on either
side, and still we Of Austin are supInely
standing still and watching the Sundering Of
the ligaments which in the past have so large
" contributed to our citys prosperity, and
which in the future, II entirely lost, win add
materially to the building up Of rival cities to
the very rulnous detriment Of Austin.
The great want Of this portion Of the State
Is populatIOni producing, energetic and am
bilious population; and TO get that, and get e.
fast, something must or should be done. Some
may say, 1--WE have already done our best;
for the present nothing can be done; wait I'll
the Legislature meets, etc. Austin should
not depend on 3 Legislature, or any outside
influence She should depend On herself
alone, and then If outside aid could be obtain
cd, that much the better As for our people
having done everything possible TO remove
the clouds and barriers that hang about Aus
tin, we offer demurrer. We know that cred.
table efforts have been made by our citizens
to get the international, but We do not be-
lieve that anybody has exhausted themselves,
and that much more could be done we ear
nestly believe We believe also that some
thing could be done now by the people Of
Austin that would cause the beginning of work
on the international Railroad ct once, and
hasten It's completion on to Austin. Let no one
say right here, "Ohl little OF nothing can be
done now; we viii get the International next
fall, anyhow" We need the road before next
fall, and we especially need 70 have the line
put under contract from Rockdale TO Austin,
and that event could be easily accomplished If
our citizens generally would but make united
effort. People familiar with the country be-
tween Rockdale and Post Oak Island, but
twenty-five miles distant from this city, say
that the land Is almost as level as floor, and
that there & not creek or ravine In the whole
distance that q horse cannot jump across.
This being the case, the road could be cheaply
and rapidly built to within twenty-five miles
Of this city. A report Is common in this city
that Ward, Dewey q Co., lessees Of the peni'
Tertiary, have already proposed to do ali the
grading between Rockdale and Austin, and
take their pay in the bonds Of the road. The
completion Of the International 10 this city
would perhaps require no more outlay on the
part Of the company for rolling stock, and Il
Messr. Ward, Dewey q Co.. win do all the
grading without requiring money for Il, II
seems to rs that SUFFICIENT amount Of money
could be easily raised IN this city and by the
railroad company TO buy the iron and lay Il
down, and that too, with lightning speed.
At any rate the great importance Of the enter
prise 70 this city, and our business men and
property holders, would justify an effort to
the above end, and we are glad 70 believe that
feeling Is now rife In this city for move Of
some sort which would insure the completion
OF the International Railroad 70 Post Oak
Island by the time the Legiaiaiure meets IN
January, and to Austin BY the adjournment
Of the Legislature. Mayor Wheeler, who
takes lively interest IN the matter, 8, we
learn, now in correspondence with Mr.. Grow,
president Of the International, on the above
subject. and Il Is earnestly 10 be hoped that
ere long the dirt win be nying al the way BE-
tween the capital Of the State and the present
terminus Of tho international Railroad.
Mr.. Sam Scott says that he l. ready 70 put .
first class line Of stages between Austin and
Post Oak Island the moment the yailroad
reaches that point, and no doubt long trains
Of wagons, freighled with lumber, gods,
cotton and hides, would eli line the rad 60
long as the terminus remained ct thai point.
bes there be knocking Of heads together
upon the subject Of the early completion Of
the international Railroad 70 Austin.