The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-10-02
AUSPICIOUS OPENING OF
THE INTERNATIONAL
FAIR.
THREE THOUSAND PEOPLE PRESENT
Address by Governor Ross and Response
by Orneias the Mexican Consul
The Traces nd the
Election.

SANrAHToNIo, Tex, Sept. 30.-The open
ing day of the third annual exp. sition of
the San Antonio Fair association was in
every respect most auspicious. Not cloud
twas in the sky. A stiff gulf breeze was
blowing and the temperature was delicious.
The ceremonies of the opening were begun
this morning at 10 clock by magnificent
parade through the principle streets OF the
Gov. Ross, Gen. S. Stanley U. 3. A.,
Mayor Callaghan, President Schreiver of
J. Fry was chief marshal.
The parade was led by the famous Mexican
military band, which was followed by in
fantry, cavalry and artillery of the United
States army, and local military ana CIVIC
organizations.
The parade reached the fair grounds al
IL O'Clock, where, in the exhibition hall,
Gov. Ross delivered his opening address.
The governor spoke, in bis happiest way,
his address being filled with eloquent
utterances of the past achievements OF
Texc--And magnificent future, opening to
the state IT, e prediction that the states de-
velopnent and expositions within the next
decade would far surpass all preceding.
Gov. Ross spoke as follows:
In response to your courteous invitation, MIR.
President, ladies and gentlemen, am here to say
few words with regard to this great international
fair which is designed to bring to view, in some
measure, the material advantages and productive
wealth of Texas and our sister Republic OF Mexico
and to enable the mind of the visitor to rise to some
appreciation of the magnitude of the future which
awaits the Developments of their lmitless resour
In the providence of God, it has been the lot
of San Antonio to be ndissOlubly linked with many
of the most critical and stirring events in the histo
ry of state when its whole social fabric was In
formative condition, and have always felt great
pride in its progress, and strongly impressed
with the advantages to come to II tne
great commercial mart of the west | have always
found her people with unanimity and happy accord
filed with an energy which nothing could exhaust,
and a steadfast frmness of purpose which no un-
toward event could shake, pushing her fortunes to
the 'front.' forgetful of all minor differences while
pursuing their way, ixedly as the wise men OF
old who followed the star to the manger, looking
back only to receive fresh encouragement In ad-
dton to the happy combination of great and oene-
fcent forces which she has grouped here for the
pleasant advertisement and instruction OF the pee,
pie it is worth trip any time to see her beautiful
houses, surrounded by extensive grounds with now
ers and forest groves showing love OF the beaut
full of nature which is an index of the highest de-
gree of refinement and all of which,-whether IN
the beauty of spring the splendor of summer, the
glory of autumn, or the uncrowned magesty OF win
ter, furnish the material for picture of wealth and
quiet content that would be the pride OF every
model, and the perfection of every master. When
our visitors hear the oft repeated declaration that
Texas contains PA 356 square miles or lI55SI $40
acres it is difficult for them to comprehend the I'M
mensity of her area, until it is more torcibly I'M
pressed upon their mlndS by means OIL comparison
which shows her to be six times the size of the en-
pire state of the north and more than equal in mag
'nitude of the twelve New England and Middle
states. With this understanding they are prepared
to give soIie credence to the fact that Massachu-
sets wiSEher comparatively sterile and exhausted
sol-where nature is frostbitten and hfeless for
two thirds of the year-can sustain population OF
1856 to the square mile Texas, with her genial and
balmy climate and fertile lands can better provide
at the same ratio for over 5O,OOO,OO0 people The
total average of the nine principal crops of the
NAIS Stntn hnn rVn nt IL
wheat, hay potatoes, and cotton, is in round num-
bers 145,OO0,0OO acres. Texas could produce all
these and have surplus of over 3O,OOO,OOO acres,
or in other words she could supply homes for all
the people in the United States, and furnish the
main crops for their home consumption and expor-
taton, which they produce. If the capabilities OF
her soil were developed she could rival Louisiana
i'm the production of sugar. South Carolina in rice;
Virginia in tobacco and Kentucky or Missouri in
hemp while her wheat rpens month earlier than
that grown in more northern states, weighs heavier
and bears transportation through the tropics with
out the danger of fermentation. The world con
sumes about 12OOO.OOO bales of cotton
annually, and while Texas produces
about one-sixth of this amount now
or probably one-fourth of the amount raised in the
United States, she has soil and climate capable OF
producing, under skillful and intelligent manage
ment at least l5,O00O0 bales, which is considera
bly, more than is now consumed by the civilized
world. And this crop, for the production of which
she is so peculiarly fitted, has become an element
of the largest manufacturing interest in the world
a currency in itself and the greatest boon to human
industry She enjoys the proud distinction of being
the first in cattle, first in wool and first in cotton
and by proper effort will soon become first in com
mercial and agricultural supremacy. Her lumber
men of eastern Texas are sending their lumber int
the markets of Idaho and Montana from an area OF
pine timber greater than Maine or Vermont And
realizing that among the resources of country
must be ranked first of all its power to produce an
educated intelligent people, without which soil
climate, and natural resources exist in vain, fol
they cannot work out the nobest destiny of noble
people, she has shown her zeal in the interest OF
popuar and liberal education by providing perma
nent school fund in bonds, land, notes and unsOld
lands worth at the lowest calculation one hundred
million of dollars, the available revenue from which
is being utilized for the education OF the masses in
an annual expenditure of over two and hall
million dollars year from the state direct, and
probably half as much more by local voluntary tax
alton This, with her present low tax rate OF TWEEN
tv cents upon the one hundred dollars worth OF
nroperty, and which with proper assessment can
at once be reduced to twelve or fifteen cents as
permanent rate, should commend the state to the
home seekers These state fairs are throwing sig
nidcent light upon the vast and varied productions
and indicates with no small degree of certainty the
character of industrial development upon which
we are now and will be for some time to come de-
nandant We are peculiarly an agricultural and
stock raising people, and on examining the situation
II will be difficult to avoid the conviction that we
must for the present look to these interests as the
cbiel source of our wealth. and we must exert every
energy to increase the foreign sale of products and
a more cheap and rapid exchange among home con
sumers In Europe, not only is every field OF avail
oblp land cultivated to the highest degree possible
and that by hand labor without the aid Of improved
machinery but every nook and corner, and roadside
where vegetation will grow is made to yield some
thing for the food of man or beast A failure t.
SIMPLY cheap food to the people would be fatal t.
IN the peace Of the communities, from which they
would recOil. And it is equally well known that il
,,a no stern and i'm some of the northern states
large portion of the lands are constantly growing
loss productive, in consequence of requiring eacl
year more artificial fertilization, and the additiona
cost of agricultural labor increasing the demand 10
GOOD products which, with good seasons and abun
dont harvests they cannot fully supply. And un
der the influence of modern improvements the rura
population is gradually quitth.i the fields an'
GROUPING itself around the industrial establishment
If the large cities and manufacturing cen RS wher
higher wages may be obtained; and the food pro