The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-12-25
Il. L. FILLMORE,
County Judge
EMBRYONIC SCHEMES
Now Oh Foot in Austin-New Enterprises
TINT are BEING Daily Discussed.

Now Oh Foot in Austin-New Enterprises
that are Being Daily Discussed.
There is a great deal of talk in the
| city Just now over projected improve
ments and new enterprises. So far,
while much has been said, little has
been done, and most people have been
skeptical of the execution OF nearly
al the schemes that have of late af-
forded topics of sidewalk discussion.
1t appears, however, that some, Il not
all OF them, may take practical shape
ere many days. Among them may be
mentioned:
THE NEW GAS WORKS.
Their agent, Mr.. Van Steinberg, of
New York, is here, and proposes to
carry out the plans of his company
without delay. He stated to re-
porter yesterday that active operations
were to be resumed iDstanter. Quite
number of the mains are already
laid, and there isn't much more work
to be done. OF course the compilations
of the works will bring around the
liveliest sort of competition, which
can't help but benefit the citizens,
until the time that Alderman Camp
bell dreams of comes to PISS, when
brilliant beams from thousands of
electric jets shall encircle the whole
city with their dazzling rays. In the
meantime; let US have more light and
cheaper light, even if it comes from
source that is destined to be super
ceded by the mere subtle and power
full agent called electricity.
Another enterprise anent which no
little talk has been evoked, is a rival
TELEPHONE COMPANY,
or rather two new companies. Some
time ago it was said that the Pan
Electric Company would put up wires
in Austin. Now rumor talks OF the
Baxter Telephone Company. Their
agents are now in the city on propose
to start up an exchange if they can
get help from the Austinites. 1t is
said that they want the citizens to
subscribe the money necessary: TO get
it back hereafter Off they CAM in the
way Of dividends like any other stock
company. What encouragement they
are meeting is not known, but it is
said they are not without substantial
backing. In regard to this enterprise
there comes up a question.
1t is this: Suppose that
there are two exchanges in
operation in the city, both having a
goodly number of patrons. Jones has
an instrument put up by the old CON-
pany. He orders it taken out, and has
it replaced by one from the new. His
friend Brown, however, keeps the old
one. How are Brown and Jones GO
ing to give each other
CHIN MUSIC
Tho uyiroc y frhou oan't nnn
company's wires won't connect with
the others. Hence, either Jones or
Brown will have to take some pedes-
trian exercise, or else purchase a
couple of machines. But what would
a man want with two telephones? One
is sufficient infiiction, in addition to
the many other pangs of discomfort
the average citizen is doomed TO suf-
fer in his pilgrimage through this
weary world Again, the telephone
is not a particularly ornamental, if
sometimes useful object, to
have in the house. But
enough of this for the present.
THE THIRD SCHEME
that may not, perhaps, be unworthy
of mention, is the purchase and extern
sion of the cement works, located
abont two miles northwest of the
city. Some capitalists from Chicago
have bought out Mr.. e. Swenson, who
owned the present works, and will
proceed to manufacturing cement on
a large scale. The firm of John
Thompson s. Go. have sold the COM
pany the necessary machinery, which
will be placed on the ground forthwith
for immediate operations.
I ~ &c C.iI thof 0otfn1 and
wooltn factory is thing of the near
future.
It is hoped that the day is not far
distant when the hum and whir Of
machinery and the hustle of busy
traffic may resound through our
streets with never-ceasiRg din. BY
encouraging and fostering every
branch OF industry the city will grow
and prosper. The times are said to be
dull. They will never be better until
the spirit OF progress is aroused, and
mossbackism laid on the shelf for
ever.