The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-04-16
TIPS FOR TEXANS
IMPORTANT INTERVIEWS In
WHICH ALL SECTIONS AND ALL
GLASSES ARE INTERESTED.
General Dodge, of Railroad
Fame, Discusses Measures
for POpulatiDg Texas,
And Gives His Views on Quar-
antine, the Land Bill, and
the Iron Horse,
With a Passing Reference to
Governor Ireland's Ex-
pected Veto.

Learning that Gen. Dodge, the rail
road magnate, with distinguish,
party of friends, had arrived in tn
city last night in their special car from
the North, representative of TIL
STATESMAN was dispatched to ascer
tain his and their views on some o
the live questions that now agitat,
the public mind, and are OF vital in
terest to the material prosperity of tn,
State. To this end the reporter
proceeded to the Union Depot
where he had no difficulty in locating
the objects of his search after news
On a side track, in the 1mmediatesvi-
entity of the station, a parlor sleeping
Car suggested the presence of the par
ty, and thither ne bent his footsteps
sans ceremony and without hesita-
tion. Entering the car, the scribe
confided the object of his mission to
the first gentleman he met-Mr. Ad-
amson, of Corpus Christi-and was by
him introduced to Gen. Dodge, who
in turn presented the reporter to Col
Noble, formerly Superintendent of the
Texas 81 Pacific Railway, but now a
prominent stock man in the Indian
Nation; also to DR.. Gearing, of Chi
cago. and Col. jennings, of Edwards
county, Texas. The whole party had
Just arrived from Fort Worth, and
when the representative of THE
STATESMAN entered were engaged in
an interesting game of whist.
Gen. Dodge and his genial
friends, however, were quite
affable, and received the ambassador
of the morning daily with that kindly
courtesy peculiar to gentlemen of
their standing. Launching into the
business which brought about the
visit, the newspaper man inquired of
Gen. Dodge what he thought OF
the
QUARANTINE REGULATIONS,
now in vogue in Texas, and how
they would affect the general interests
of the cattlemen of the State?
Gen. Dodge-Well, have just come
from the Panhandle section, and
while there met and conversed with
many of the leading stockmen on this
subject. The fact of the matter is,
they all accept the situation with the
most perfect compOsure, and generally
believe 1t will lead to good results.
This cattle disease, you know, only
comes once every six or seven years,
~ and consequently quarantine will not
interfere with cattlemen to the extent
popularity supposed. Besides, the
country north OF Kansas line is almost
entirely settled, and. even if you want
ed to, you could scarcely drive stock
through that territory any longer.
The section known as the Cherokee
Strip" is altogether safe from quaran-
tine complications, and whatever
stock goes from there is certain, not
to be driven, but to be transported by
cars. AT any rate, the day of driving
Is nearly over, but even as we find the
laws now, a man can drive his cattle
right through the Panhandle, and by
the time he reaches the Colorado or
Wyoming line he will experience but
little difficulty on the quarantine
score.
Col. Noble-Yes by that time the
sixty days will have expired, and
whatever disease the stock previously
suffered from will have been removed
or wiped out.
Gen. Dodg e-ln fine, 1 do not think
your quarantine regulations will at
all interfere to any serious eX-
tent with the stock interests of
Texas; on the contrary, l believe
more cattle will be sold in the Pan
handle this year than ever before.
From the observations / have been
able to make, 1 believe the stockman
are now generally inclined to cult
vate portion of the land at least, and
l assure you they seem anxious to
have the farmer go right into their
midst. They desire to have feed
grown for their cattle, and welcome
the advent of any agency that leads to
that end. The Panhandle is as fine
country as ever saw, and is extern
sive enough and varied enough for the
cattleman as we'll as the farmer.
RAILROAD EXTENSION.
Reporter. -General, what progress
is being made in extending the Fort
Worth and Denver Railway from
Wichita Falls to the Panhandle?
Gen. Dodge.-We are building it as
fast as the track can be laid. Here is
a telegram producing it) received to
night, showing that mile and half
OF the road was built this very day
We are now within twenty miles OF
Harold, and we will reach there at
latest 10y the end of the month. We
have got to Burnett's Switch, which
is fifteen miles north Of Wichita Falls
and you can say we are now carrying
all the cattle needed for transportation
u that vast section.
THE LAND Law.
Quite q lengthy and interesting COZ
VerSation then took place regarding
the operation Of the land law, passed
by the recent Legislature. and the
whole party were unanimous in tht
belief that it would be the greatest
possible boon to Texas. Gov. Ire
lands probable action in the matter
was discussed, and Gen. Dodge stated
that he believed his company 0tht
Fort Worth and Denver) would actu-
ally complete their chain of railway
right into the heart of the Panhandle
and forty miles beyond where the.
now intend building, if the Governo
signed the bill. If he vetoed 1t, he re
garded such action would be calam-
ity to the best interests OF tn
State. Texas needed immigration-it
prosperity demanded population; ant
the best way to bring the people her
las to carry into effect the land b1l
sssed by the late Legislature. Al
present expressed profound confdenc
In the integrity of Gov. Ireland, ant
hoped his prudence and craftsmanship
would induce him to give his oficia
sanction to the law referred to.
Col. Noble leaves for Galveston thi
morning, but Gen. Dodge and hi
friends will remain in Austin durin
the forenoon, and Off tae health of tn
General permits it) they will visit tn
new capitol, and probably pay thei
respects to the Governor. They tax
warm interest in the city, and ar
anxious to see it's chief attraction
Gen. Dodge is one of the leading rail
road men of the country, and built til
line from San Antonio to Laredo, 8
also several other important lines. b
is one of tie chief promoters ond Owl
ers of the Fort Worth s. Denve
and he and his party leave this after
noon for San Antonio.
NOT TRUE