The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-04-01
START mANUFACroRIEs.

The other day we were telling the
people of Austin how they would nov
be compelled toIesort to industries for
maintaining the commercial standing
of their community. We hsve shown
how golden opportunities have been
allowed to slip for making Austin a
railroad center, through which inte,-
change and travel might have been Sc
cured and capital attracted. Our peo-
pie would not listen TO entreaties By
which, had they been guided, millions
IN property values would have been
both saYed and made. We have seen
how these people are prepared 10 aIlos
everything to pass away from them,
rather than make investments 10 rail-
ways. and now they are appealed 10 10
maintain their standing. and even their
honor, by putting money into manu-
factories. Ii Georgetown can spare
the means for building ten miles
OF railway, certainly Austin car
sfford to put one or two, or even FIVE,
hundred thousand dollars into produc-
tive machinery. Were opportunities
presented for the easy establishment of
factories at Austin, with tSo or three
hundred thousands of dollars invested
therein, there would be no limit to the
acquisition of capital sec king such man
Der Of Investment ia our midst. Lit US
look little into the results thst accrue
from these things and see what bene-
fits may be derived therefrom. Cotton
mills Of sufficient capacity would at
once attract to this city for sale SO, 600
bales of cotton; and when these So
900 bales of cotton were placed in the
market they would represent in csah$2,
500, 900. Suppose thoae who deal in the
staple fortunate enough 10 make half a
cent per pound upon it, the profits uI-
der this favorable condition wouli
reach $125, 900, and This would benefit
only few meG, the rich reservation be-
ing made in the interest of mill men aud
operatives of Massachusetts and Man.
chester. Were these $4,000 bales con-
verted, even into ysrns, the prof
would reach to at least $500, 600,
which would he distributed smorg
mill men and op,1stives in thus COM
munity, snd would thus go towards
perpctustlns the solidity of all This
section. From the cct'on required to
produce these so. 00O bales there would
be removed 1880, 600 bushels of seed.
Assuming thst twc-thirds of these
seed would lind their way to cotton
seei OIL mill, VIC m4y credit 10 the
producers at least s175, 600 on this
item, and to the oil mill men ana their
laborers nearly en- equal sum, all Of
which would be invested here, and
again add to the general prosperity Of
this section. II is gaid that the straw
crops If the northwest are producing
as much money as s derived from the
grain taken from it. This is the re-
suit of demand for the manufacture
of paper and of other manufactured
products in which straw is consumed.
Similar arguments might be used cor
cerniDg wool, hides and gram pro
ducts. Where handling and shipping
products gives employment 10 one man,
manufactures employ three men and g
dozen women and children. What
uUuru guIueu III uIrs1Ep-rr->>----------
would altogether benefit our peo-
pie, and greater profits upon
OR varied products would con-
tinue to build up vast wealth in
other communities. The STATESMAN
would see everybody have means fer
making bread, and NEST, and clothing,
and cottage. A little PAPER bag man
ufactory in this city will soon give em-
ployment to twenty-five women and
girls, and we wish to see employment
given to every one OF the army of uu-
employed. Let us utilize the water
power and have the mills. Gld has
given us the one, and man should do
his duty In building the other.
1