The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-01-10
.The Road Question:
TRAVIS County, January 2, is


TRAVIS COUNTY, January 2, 1889.
To the Editor of The Statesman.
In your issue of this date is a letter
from my esteemed friend, Walling, which
invites some thought and, perchance,
some comment somewhat in way of reply
to one or two points he makes. But first,
because it is SO much pleasanter to agree
with man than to differ from him, will
not dispute the proposition that the cot
ton crop recently marketed has gone where
the best prices invited il. Macadamized
roads all over the black lands in the
northeastern portion of our county would
not have brought bale of cotton to Aus
tin if the liberal merchants of Mason or
Round Rock were paying more for it than
the buyers of Austin
Cotton is worth so much in proportion
to its bulk that the farmer can, and does
often, haul it much further for very
slight advance in price. So we can safely
agree with all Mr.. Walling says and inGi-
mates on this subject. And, when he says
that any farmer could haul to market in
the 365 days more than he can raise, will
still agree with him, especially since while
he is hauling his old crop, he is, just to
that extent-and very largely it is too
reducing the next crop, (which l rise to
explain"
The farmer has nothing to sell until he
produces it. In the spring months 'from
early morn to dewey eve" he must toll with
hand and brain, with horse and plow and
hoe. Whether wet or dry, he must needs
be up and doing. When the "heavens are
opened" and the earth is one vast expanse
of mud and water, he must straighten and
repair his fences, set out potato and cab
bage plants, go to the blacksmith for
needed repairs to his tools.
When his crop is made he looks with
pride on the result of his labor in the fast
maturing grain or the blooming cotton
but for a moment, and HES him away to
the woods for his winters fuel. For cold
and bitter experience has taught him that
when "chill Dec ember's blast" shall round
his cottage roar, the earth will probably
be one vast expanse OF sea
and mud, when, but for his fore
sight his wife and BARNS will shlver
and freeze, for the black mud as effec'
tually protects the forests as the 80 pei
cent tariff on woolens deprive him of the
needed blankets and jeans. So, under the
vertical rays of a tropical sun, with much
lart or and expenditure of vital force
sweat and profanity, with faded teams and
br eakiug wagons he gets his winters wood
perhaps by the time his fast opening
cotton demands his ceaseless toll for al
the bright days, often part of the nights
of the autumn months. Now he has
something to sell, but every day he take;
in going to market is just that much
taken from his needed farm work. He
cannot in "wet spells" haul his cotton
or his corn, his oats OF
potatoes to town, be they ever SO much II
demand or so high. 1t is with some show
of truth said that "cotton is thirteen
months CROP" and when the last lock j:
picked the pillow should start to getting
the land ready for the next crop. Ii thu
roads are made so the farmer can go tt
market when he cannot pillow just tina
much time is his clear gain.
Yesterday, in the afternoon, "Jupite
Pluvius," out of sympathy for the ga!
throng of callers, for it was New Years
stayed his down pouring, and to-day all il
fair overhead, and il we had turnpike
roads the city would be full of wagons
with corn, fodder, oats, potatoes, etc. AS i
is it will be week, or even longer
before the roads will admit of travel, an(
oFeu Ouon Wlpl ohAJ hishV iO""''
that time the fields will be in condition tt
pillow and the husbandman shoUld be at it
1t 70 safe to say that system of turnpike
roads would add at least one months tint
to the agricultural class, and, if slime il
money" this adds one-twelfth to hi
wealth, or, to his capacity to earn wealth
which is the same thing. In future, will
your permission, Mr.. Editor, may offe
some practical suggestions in regard tt
the building of these turnpikes, for haV
had some experience in road work.
RUsTICIJs