The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-11-08

sheep husbandry is but in its infancy at this
time. Now, why should the wool, which Is
sold in San Antonio, be transported 25oo miles
to wooden factories when il could he manu-
featured here and the cost Of transportation be
saved The difference 10 the cost Of trans
portation alone would amount to a consider
able profit to the manufacturer at San Antonio
and enable him to undersell New England.
The San Antonio river not only affords abund-
ance Of water power for running factories, but
Is peculiarly adapted to milling and factory
purposes from its measurable exemption
from sudden and protracted freshets which
necessitate stoppage Of work. The purity
Of the air and the salubriy Of the climate
peculiarly point out San Antonio as an unex-
ceptionabe seat for manufactures. Operatives
would be glad to come here from the bleak
and inhospitable climate Of New England to
enjoy health.
There is room and need for a cotton factory
here, also, and the necessary supply Of the
raw material is sold in the city,
Experience shows that one mandatory
never fails to suggest and lead to the starting
| Of one Of some other article-to foster and
stimulate a manufacturing spirit and enter
prise. Frequently one sort Of mandatory is
auxiliary to another, that is located close at
hand, and reciprocally advantageous.
The railroads with which Mexico will soon
be reticulated, are destined to open up an un-
bounded trade with the United States, and
large portion, the lions share, Of this over
flowing and formulating trade from Mexico
ought naturally to fall into the lap Of San An
tonic, which is situated in the very gateway to
Mexico. Manufactures here would act as
load stone to draw the Mexican trade, for the
reason that the goods and wares fabricated
here could be sold cheaper than such as were
manufactured in New England, and the pecu-
liar tastes and needs Of the population Of
Mexico could be better consulted. The large
resident Mexican population which is in San
Antonio gives her the vantage ground in the
competition for the commerce and trade OF
Mexico, provided the citizens Of San Antonio
do not 20 clean out Of their way to insult the
national feelings Of the people Of Mexico.
1t behooves San Antonio to put forth all
her energies to secure the lions share Of the
trade with Mexico, for, as Colonel Sellers
says, 'there's millions in it," past any doubt,
and once it begins to flow in a channel it will
be next to an impossibility to divert it into
another, since Mexicans like to trade with
people whom they know, and are distrustful
Of strangers. In my opinion the letters oil
Mr.. Clifford, written from Mexico, were
pitched to the right key, and will bear excel
lent fruit for San Antonio, by conciliating the
favor of the people Of our sister Republic.
For my part see no earthly reason why the
populations Of the two republics should not
cultivate the most friendly feelings and the
most generous rivalry and use every precau-
ton to prevent all needless friction in their
intercourse and business transactions. JUS
tice and courtesy should be the rule and
the aim.
In this connection would advise the mer-
chants OF San Antonio to adopt and adhere
to the plan OF "small profits and quick sales"
and to reach out for large trade rather than
endeavor to grow rich upon a small trade and
high prices. That San Antonio should enjoy
a respectable wholesale trade with Mexico, it
is absolutely essential that she should hold
out inducements for Mexicans to trade
with her. by reasonable prices. Both
wooden and cotton factory on the
San Antonio river, 10 the vicinity of San An
tonic, would pay dividends Of not less than
10 per cent. per annum to their owners. l
believe, that they would pay higher divi-
dend, were they discreetly managed, but it is
a rule with me to studiously avoid all exag-
geration on subjects Of this kind, for fear
persons might be misled.
The earnings of the hands employed in the
factories would all be expended, weekly, in
San Antonio, and would constitute fine re-
tail trade. Now, suppose 300 hands should
be employed, their wages would aggregate
at least quarter Of a million Of dollars, an
nually, every dollar of which, would be ex-
: pended in the city Of San Antonio. That is
no small item, to be sure; but this retail trade
I is but one Of the many rivulets, which would
flow from these factories with as fructiiying
an inAuence as the overlooking Of the Nile.
The Nile overAows but once a year, while
these fructifying rivulets having their fountain
: in the factories, would know neither winter
nor summer, neither food nor drought.
An $50 men, by subscribing $1,000 each
IS could start either wooden or cotton factory
G or five or 10 men might ''pool their capital
:, and start both Of them. The stone for build
)! ing is at hand, the water power is waiting tC
e be utilized, the money is in San Antonio t.
% build and run them. d.