San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-11-09
OUR MANUFACTURING FUTURE.

state OF the UnlOu 50 lar as aloo 10
| concerned, and it is estimated that
she will have population of three
million in 1890. This immense en-
pire of one hundred and seventy-five
millions of acres with its wonderful
natural resources and superb climate
is soon to receive tide of immigration
unparalleled in the history of our
states. San Antonio is the largest,
most attractive and healthful of all
the large number of thrifty cities in
the state and has elements of advan-
tage as a commercial, industrial and
distributing point unsurpassed in any
locality of the state, being situated In
an extensive valley and near the
source of the San Antonio river
which runs through the city and af-
fords an abundant supply of pure wa
ter for all purposes. The site of the
city is at an elevation of six hundred
feet above the sea level and is noted
as being especially healthful, many
suffering with pulmonary and Ca
tarrhal troubles, are effectua.ly
cured. The thermometer seldom falls
below 20 degrees in winter, or
rises above 90 degrees in summer
with no extreme changes of
heat or cold. The atmosphere is
neither too dry nor too moist, which
renders it the most desirable climate
foc cotton and wool, spinning and
weaving on this continent. San An
tonic contains within its corporate
limits thirty-siX square miles and has
a population of about $4,000. 1t is
supposed to be the oldest incOrpOrat-
ed city in the United States, as the
first charter was granted to the
settlement, "then named San Fer
nando," by the king of Spain, in 1888.
The old streets and plazas laid out
by the first Spanish adventures, and
the grand old mission churches,
planned and erected under the direc-
ton of skillful Spanish architects, by
command of resident Franciscan
Monks, over $50 years ago, are still
held sacred as monuments to the
herOism of the pioneer bearers of the
CROSS, anu IJdbllOlS " llO INlilti lSNL viz
b-.nners of old Spain. The visitor,
upon inspecting the strangely beauti-
full edifices, is impressed with the
idea that the medieval architecture of
that remote period, possesses a de-
gree of merit which may be made an
interesting study and theme for the
student in architecture of the present
day. Here the development of two
civilizations are observed, the 10th
and 10Th century present their
separate systems Of business, the irri-
CATION bitches of centuries ago and
the mains of the city water works are
doing their work side by side, being
simple comparison of the ancient
and present methods.
The act of Incorporation under
which the city is now operating was
passed in 1870. San Antonio is alive
to all public enterprises which are
found in the large cities OF the coun-
| try, there being complete system of
waterworks with about so miles of
mains and $50 hydrants, a we'll or
ganized fire depa ctment, with fire en-
gines, hose carriages, etc., % miles of
street railway and many miles of
paved streets and sidewalks, an cleo
| trio light plant which supplies 1000
candle power lights for the streets at
proper distances, and also gas COM
pany which supplies an excellent
| quality of gas when required. There
are five daily and seven weekly news
papers, three national and six private
banks, all solid and reliable, also
great wholesale and retail houses, en-
| bracing all departments of trade.
This is also great wool market, there
being ten million pounds shipped to
northern markets annually.
Cotton, cattle and hides in great
quantities also find a market here.
There are a large number Of fine
hotels, the Menger being the largest,
which are models Of comfort and
their constantly increasing business
necessitates frequent engagements.
The city is we'll supplied with
churches, there being 81, which rep
resent every denomination. There is
also a we'll conducted y. NJ. G.. A.,
which is doing a good work in quiet
way. There is an opera house mod
eled after the Princess Theater, of
London, which is as large and more
deliberately furnished, and the San
! Antonio club have an extensive and
richly furnished suite of parlors, bath
rooms, refreshment and dining halls
which occupy the second and third
stories of same building and are I'M
surpassed for elegance and comfort.
Texas has the largest school fund of
any state in the Union and the educa-
tional advantages are equal in every
respect to those of other cities. The
school fund is more than p million