The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-08-19

SUMNER MISUNDERSTANDING of summer
resorts, there would be no occasion for the
people of Austin focking to the mountain
regions of Virginia, the extreme Northern
States and Canada, or even to Lampasas, OF
other watering places in our own State, il
some enterprising man would take it into
his head to establish an elegant place OF
summer resort in the vicinity of this city.
Certainly Barton springs across the river,
and but one mile from the city; Bee
Springs, one mile and half above the city,
or Mormon Spring, at the foot of Mount
Bonnell, present all the natural attractions
and advantages necessary for the establish
ment of summer resort which would, il
proper improvements were made, attract
hundreds to it every year. Supposing that
some man should buy few acres on Barton
creek embracing one or more of the large
springs, and then erect fine hotel, places
of amusement, and number of first class
bath houses, people would flock there by
hundreds, and no doubt the list of regular
boarders at the hotel would be largely in
excess of any hotel in the city, especially
if the rates for regular board could be kept
at reasonably low rates. In the course OF
a couple of years, after the city has nearly
doubled its present population, and beau
tiful iron bridge has spanned the river,
there is no estimating the amount of bust
ness that could be done by an establish
ment of the kind located near the capital OF
Texas. What enterprising capitalist will
see the point and take advantage of it In
time2
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES. SIN the past eigh-
teen months the public enterprises that
have been inaugurated and established in
this city are two ice manufacturing estab-
lishments, which have reduced the price of
ice from four to two cents a pound; gas
works, two fouudries and cotton gin,
and street railway two miles in length.
Add to these the improvements and addi-
tions that have been made and are being
made to State buildings, and the erection
of q new court house and Jail, and the
prospect we have for splendid new $40, 900
passenger depot, a bridge across the Colo
RADIO river, and the establishment of a
State Fair Association with $50, 900 of paid
up stock, and we think We can safely say
there are no two cities in the State that can
boast of the public enterprises in the
years 1874 and 1875 that Austin can.
Probably before the close of the centennial
year the bridge will be completed, water
works established, more street railway built,
and the International Railroad-one of the
national highways to Austin,
which will render our city still more impor-
tant and attractive. Austin is certainly
and rapidly marching on to take position
among the first cities of the South, and her
citizens and capitalists should push her
ahead as rapidly as possible. Everything
tending to old fogyism, narrow -mindedness
and the detriment of the city. should be
nipped in the bud, and enterprise and pub
lie spirit be the aim of all.
The COURT HOUSE,. - The court house
committee. We understand, has not con-
Cured with the county commissioners in
the selection Of the plan for the court house,
while the former are only willing that an
$50, 900 court house shall be built. Such
differences, Of course, have to be nasmon-
lied, but we have preferred that Travis
county should haze court house which
would be the pride of the people for fifty
or one hundred years hence. Possibly
'twould have been better had competition
been invited for the design OF the building,
and the commissioners and the committee
not decided upon the plan until they had
carefully examined designs and specifics
tons from several architects. The differ
enees now existing should be disposed Of
in the easiest way possible, and no delay
allowed to prevent the early beginning and
completion Of the new court house.
= cUsBERE.AND PREssrrKRrkE CANFxEEr-
Es.-The campmeeting Of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. which vas held 81
MccAlrs Spring. two and half miles above
Round Rock. in williamson county. closed
rs lAbors one week ago last Sunday, after