The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-12-02
FIGURES FOR DRoxEs.

The city of Augusta. Georgia, has
built magnificent canal, supplied
with water from the Savannah river,
which furnishes 1900 horse power.
with capacity of great increase. The
annual rate for power thus supplied
is $5.5H per horse power, or one snd
three-quarter cents per day. which
is about 2Uo times less than the pres
ent cost Of steam power in the city
of Austin. One hundred horse
power on the canal at Augusta
would cost :hc manufacturer $3.50.
while one hundred steam horse-pow-
er at Austin, with wood at So per
cord, for running night and day, as
the mills run at Augusta. would
cost over $4,000. With such figures
as these who ought not to doubt
the propriety of at oiks building
canal to supply water power in this
city. The question of cost is one of
minor Importance when the vast
benefits to be derived from ample
and convenient W ater power here are
considered. AT the mouth of Bull
Greek, six miles above Austin, dam
could be constructed that would
supply vast deal of power, enough
at least to make Austin great man
ufacturing city, and when it could
be announced that one hundred
horsepower could be utilized here,
on the banks of the Colo
RADIO river, and within the corporate
limits of the city. and beside the
railroad tracks, at $3.50 per year, or
even three times this sum. there
would at once be applications for all
the power that could possibly be
supplied. Flour mills and planning
mills would resort without delay to
such convenient and cheap power,
and capitalists would rear factories
here for the manufacture of cotton
and wool and hides. and for the
working of stone and wood in untold
amounts. The STATESMAN has be-
fore urged the establishment of this
water power here, with the knowl-
edge that it would create industries
needed for the advancement of our
city. 1t again urges our people to
move in this matter. and it tells
them that unless they at once get up
and go to doing things of this sort
in lively style. property values will
decline ten times as much as would
be required for such Improvement.
Little over Il wear ago gentleman
bought tract ofland. notm than
two miles from the county court
house, at fifty dollars an acre. Eight
years ago land adjoining this sold
for $3.50 an acre. He thought he
was securing "A bargain on which he
could make a fine speculation. and
yet few days ago much smaller
tract, equally as well located and
just as good property in all respects.
adjoining il. was sold for thirty-three
dollars an acre. Eight years ago
fifty acres of this land was held as
worth $4,000; two years ago as
worth $500, and now il sells at $l650.
1t is admitted sthat thezxalnnrinr,- OF
eight years ago was fictitious. and
yet there was a reality about il
shown by payments made at
these rates in hard cash. Again we
appeal to these people to reflect
upon duties, that reason and pride
and protection impose upon them.
Points are presented showing what
may be effected with such energy as
actuates the people of Augusta,
Georgia; and the course of property
values here is referred to to show
what has been lost by inaction. Ac-
ton can be postponedno longer, ,unles
the people of Austin have reached
the solemn determination that their
children must abandon these homes
AMI these beautiful scenes for life
and fortune in other communities.