The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-04-26
why Arc These Things So?

10 the Editor OF une Herald.
1t is an admitted fact that no state in the
Union at this time is making as rapid strides
in all that tends to greatness and power and
unbounded prosperity, as Texas. Railroads
are projected and reaching out in every d.
rection, manufactures are being established,
emigration is flowing into her borders from
all the older states and from the over-popu-
lated countries OF Europe;" enterprises of great
pith and moment" are being inaugurated,
and wealth and progress, with all their con-
comitant blessings, are tructifying and mul.
tiplying and blooming forth in full fruition.
Civilization and the arts are asserting their
sway in localities that but few months ago
were "howling wilderness" Agriculture
and commerce are assuming surprising
magnitude, and our state is fast
nearing the goal Of power and opulence. In
view of th. flourishing and successful state of
affairs 10 our commonwealth, 1t would be an
anomaly If our cities and towns, favorably
located ia the midst of country Of unsur-
passed fertility with an inviting and hospitable
climate, and capable of sustaining dense
population, should not aspire to- greatness
and fondly look forward to time when
they will assume metropolitan proportions.
And it is but natural in a time of such gene.
raj prosperity that the inhabitants of such
cities and towns should observe with jealous
regard and scrutinizing eye every corporation
and enterprise inaugurated, and watch with
critical minuteness the objects to be attained
and the actions of the projectors and mana.
gers of those momentus Improvements that
no rival in the great race for supremacy may
be benefited to their own dstriment and
probable discontinue. Predicsting what
shall follow on the above truths, as . citl-
zen of Dallas, who long ago cast his lot with
her for veal or for woe, and feeling the pro-
foundest interest In all that tends to advance
her welfare and greatness, trust will not
be deemed hypocritcal in abiding to what
seems to be an apparent Indifference, If not
hostility, directed against our city by one Of
the most important and powerful corpora
tions, or monopolies- If I. may so term tin
our state, and which should be actuated by
the most generous efforts in making our city
all her most ardent and devoted citizens and
friends are striving for. 1t is with diffidence
allude to the managers of the Texas 81
Pacific road, and to those who are now con.
trolling the great railroad combinations
ofthe state. 1t can with propriety be
asked, what has this road ever done for the
welfare Of Dallas beyond what was compulso-
ry on Its part. Let US see. In the i.st place
the only improvements this road has made
here are Of the most temporary nature possi>
Bile to transact the immense business lavshed
upon it with no stinted hand, and they arc
not of such character as to beautify our city
or add to its population or wealth. The
passenger and freight depots are of tho
cheapest structure and Of an uninviting ap.
pearance, and which we're erected with q
parsimony that shsmes our people. In fact
the passenger depot is a disgrace to the great
corporation viii Oh boasts Its ownership. No
lady who may be compelled to remain In the
little, contracted dirty waiting room, often
for hours at night, is free from the insults
and obscenity Of drunken men and women Of
oil compilations. The .mesgre, contracted
workshops are incapable Of making even the
necessary repairs on wrecked and disabled
cars, and broken down and crippled engines
mustbe carried 10 distant shops 10 be rehttet
and prepared to again resume duty on thu
road. The Offices here correspond, too, II
beauty, convenience and style Of architecture
with their other Improvements. A little low
one story frame house, divided up into small
rooms, few feet square, with little light an'
no ventilation, and 30 inconvenient In ever.
way 80 to render II painful to contemplst
the miserles OF lite occupants, is the heaoqusr
tefs OF the company In Dsllae. In som
iocA',ties Ibis miserable howell would b
deemed wholly unfit for fourth class do