San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-01-12
The Texas Immigration Movement.
Galveston News.

The immigration movement in
in Texas promises to mako memora'
bic tho year 1883 as that of the great
est in growth and development in the
history Of the state. In certain
sense the idea of boom car
ries with it tho suspicion Of decep-
tive artifce. Booms usually mean
the rapid unloading Of property at in
aated values by spectators upon
oyer-credulous immigrants. There
is no necessity that Texas people and
property holders should adopt dc.
ceptive methods. Prosperity thro'
stimulated immigration can be attain.
ed without misleading those persons
who arc to become citizens of Texas.
All that is required to attract the
best Glasses of settlers aud the most
desirable investments of capital is to
show only the simple truth. Texas,
if it were known throughout the 9TH
or states as it is, would draw rapidly
and steadily. The state has suffered
in recent years from two cause.-the
drouth in certain districts and the
shrinkage in livestock values. 1t has
happened that these misfortunes
have usually come together, the one
in q measure tho cause of the other.
While this is evident it is a singular.
ly short-sighted policy that has di-
rected legislation in hostility to the
vast livestock interests at the mo-
ment of their greatest depression.
During four years of this depression
the state administration was en-
gagged in continuous opposition to all
efforts at the establishment of the
livestock interests upon basis mu-
tually advantageous to the settler and
the cattle breeder. But now wise
and firm policy has been adopted,
which is enforced in such manner
as to give hope and encouragement
to all concerned, 1t is true that
there are nomadic free-graziers and
and crossroads politicians, in no
way interested in the establishment
of any definite and judicious policy,
who are by every means in their
power discouraging the settlement
of the country. But before the year
1883 has expired, it is confidently an
ticipated that the long struggle
against just state policy will have
ceased, and that all legitimate inter,
ests and pursuits will exhibit a rapid
and healthy advance. The year 1883
will probably see the foundation Of
enterprises in in Texas that will lib
crate the meat producers from the
exactions of the great monopolies
that have controlled that business.
The influx of capital will establish
such industries as we'll as manufac-
tories of the staple products of the
fields and mines. There is every rea-
son for hopefulness in this direction.
To assure these investments of
capital all that is required is to Sc
cure population of hardy producers.
Localities are relied upon in the more
populous and settled districts to ex-
hibit their attractions in the way of
cheap lands, inviting by their fertility
Diversity and abundance the better
class of farmers, and to exhibit their
attractions in the way of schools and
churches, peace and order and gen
erous hospitality and substantial in
ducements for settlers of all profes-
sions and pursuits. But the princi-
pal work of those who have under
taken the promotion of immigration
is to attract great great tide OF
settlers to the districts that are COM
paratively unsettled. 1t is believed
that in no country on earth is there
offered the immigrant as liberal terms
as Texas offers in the sale of the
school, university, and asylum lands.
By the assistance of the land COM
missioner who has procured the clas-
ifcation of these lands, the executive
committee can publish to the world
q description of every section
and dissection. This descrip
ton, with the liberal terms offer
ed by the state, should draw settlers
from every state and country where
the facts are made known. If the
executive committee and the locali-
ties work together energetically the
years 1888 and 1889 will be the most
memorable in Texas history.