The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-03-02
INTERFERING ABOUT IMMI.
GRANTS.
Chat with the President OF the
southwestern Immigra-
ton Company.

A STATESMAN reporter dropped in up
on Colonel VIM. w. Lang, president of
the southwestern immigration company.
The news-gatherer found Colonel Lang
in one of his most pleasant moods, hence
he answered questions quite freely, and
from his well stored fund of infor-
nation much of an interesting char
acter was obtained. 1t will be re-
membered by the readers Of the STATES
MAN that Colonel Lang spent considerable
time in Europe, last year, in the interest
of his particular line OF duties as presi-
dent of the company above mentioned.
His headquarters were established in the
city of London, from which central
point he conducted his gigantic opera
tons. Descriptive pamphlets, circulars,
maps, and other printed statistics of
Texas and Arkansas, were systematically
and effectively distributed il England,
Ireland, Scotland and Germany. From
all the information Colonel Lang could
obtain, while in the mother country,
he became satisfied that the great
majority of immigrants from Europe
during this year will seek homes in
Texas. He saw and conversed with
hundreds of people, of all nationalities,
seeking information about the Lone
Star state.
The first installment of German immi-
grants, the result of Colonel Lang's
labors arrived in this state ten or twelve
days ago. There were two hundred and
sixty two of them, mostly young people,
and possessing ample means to provide
themselves with comfortable homes. A
few of them have located in Travis
county, and they have the appearance of
being well to do class of people.
While Texas halls with pleasure the
coming of all classes of honest, hard
working immigrants, the reporter re-
membering the land troubles in Ireland,
and the distress among the people of
that down trodden country, asked Colo
mel Lang if, in the great tide of immi-
grafton flowing to our shores, there were
any people coming from the Emerald
Isle, and If anything was being done, spec
tally, to induce immigrants to come from
that country? Colonel Lang answered
both questions in the affirmative, and to
sustain his assertions, placed in
the reporters hands neatly
printed pamphlet, the title of
which is 0.Catholic Colonization in the
Southwest: Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana,
Indian Territory and New Mexico" The
book, which contains sixty-three pages
of information, was compiled and edited
by Rev. Stephen Byrne, o. s. D., and
the writer's descriptions are from the
latest and most reliable reports. 1.-The
Irish Catholic Colonization Association
of the United States, is incorporated I'M
der the laws of the United States, and
was founded to promote, encourage
and assist the settlement of Catholic citi-
zens and emigrants on the lands in the
states and territories of the United States.
The officers Of this association are
Right Rev. John L. Spalding, president;
Anthony Kelly, vice-president; w. ].
Onahan, secretary, w. j. Guam, treas
urer. Board of directors: Most Rev
erend James Gibbons, Baltimore, Md.
Most Reverend Z. A Feehan, Chicago;
Most Reverend John j. Williams, Bos-
ton; Ri. Reverend Stephen V. Ryan,
Buffalo, N. Y; Rt. Reverend James
O'Connor, Omaha, Neb.; Ri. Reverend
John Ireland, st. Paul, Mimi; Rt Rev
erend John L. Spaulding, Peoria, Ill. /;
Reverend Stephen Byrne, Somer-
set, Ohio; Reverend D. j.
Riordan, Chicago, H.; John
Lawier, Prairie du Chen,
Wis.,; Anthony Kelly. Minneapolis,
Mimi; John Boyle O'Reilly, Boston;
P. v. Hickey, New York city; James H.
Dormer, Buffalo, n; Y; Dan ]. Foley,
Baltimore, Md; w. ]. Onahan, p. j.
Towle, w. ]. Guam, Chicago, Ills; John
Fitzgerald, Lincoln, Neb.
In the book before US much space is
devoted to a comprehensive "write up"
of Texas, and several pages are covered
by an editorial taken from the STATES
NAN of December 10, 1880. As preface
10 what the editor of the BOOK has
to say Of Texas, we quote the following :
Commencing to write about this great
state, and filled with deep and sincere
desire to elevate the industrious poor, l
feel.a sensation of delight in the convic-
ton that it is indeed for them land of
promise. Texas is truly the Empire
state of the South; and, in view of its
immenee size. of the whole United
States. Its area is 274, 1856 square miles,
or l75, 600, 900 of acres; 80 that it is six
times as large as the state of New York,
and more than twice as large
as the whole British empire
including England, Ireland, Scotland and
Wales. If Texas were as thickly inhab-
tied as Massachusetts, her population
would be as large as that of the whole
United States, which is $4,000, 000."
The following is an extract from pri-
waite letter, and published in the book,
from a most intelligent and reliable wit
ness of things as they are in Texas
''SAN MARCOS, Nov. IA, 1880
Rev Stephen Byrne,
DEAR FATHER-You ask my opinion
of Texas. Well, must say that / do
not think this state can be excelled any
where for immigrants, laborers and
working people generally. Those who
want to buy land can get all they want
and that good land-for fifty cents an acre
and upwards, according to the locality
and the settlement around it. The
state has millions of acres surveyed
lately and now offered for sale at
Austin for fifty cents cash an acre. The
railroads also have large quantities of
land which they offer for sale on very
favorable terms. There is a splendid
chance for laborers and working men as
there are several roads being built and
others projected. Common laborers get
from 81. 20 to 81. so a day, according to
the kind of work they perform; and,
what is still better, they need lose
scarcely any time the year round, for the
cold am UNITS to almost nothing. Be-
sides this, living is cheap in this coun.
Try. Any information can give you
will send with pleasure.
Truly yours, u