The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-02-06
AN OBSERVER.
INTERESTING VIEWS OF A STRANGER
AND HINTS OF VALUE TO
AUSTINITES.
The Advantages Which Austin Affords for
Being Made Manufacturing City.
About Cotton Mills.

Shapard, of Shelbyville, Tenn, a well
posted gentleman, and visitor to
the city who kept his eyes open.
Il hardly think it possible to con-
ceive how a stranger could be other
wise than favorably impressed with
the capital city Of Texas. Blessed
with an abundant supply of pure
water, built upon many hills gently
inclining toward the Colorado her
natural drainage is superior, and the
healthfulness of the location tor a
large city unquestionable. With
broad streets everywhere much is
added to her natural beauty, and
ample opportunity afforded for pleas
ure driving as well as an abundance
of room for all commercial needs"
THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
"What do you think OF our public
buildings?"
"Your capitol is q magnificent,
grand structure in suitable position,
and is worthy of a pilgrimage to see.
A sight of it ought and doubtless does
cause the heart of every Texan to
swell with pride commensurate with
the size of the great state. The uni
versity occupies also commanding
position, is an honor to the
state and speaks well for the
interest her people are taking
in public education. The other pub
lie buildings which | have noticed
are beautiful structures. and furnish
evidence, not only Of the liberality Of
Texas, but of their purpose to keep
up with the progressive spirit OF
Christianity and modern civilization.
And the many elegant resid ences to
be found in almost every part of the
city snow that people of wealth and
taste are gathered here to avail them
selves OF the superior advantages and
attractions afforded"
AN IMPORTANT HINT.
eff, however, Austin would keep
pace with other cities of Texas in their
rapid growth, it is evident she must
bestir herself, develop new interests
and enter upon other avenues to pros
perity, for she can hope for no very
material and early growth without
adding to and improving the advan-
tages she possesses. In this connec-
ton, as a stranger, l am impressed
with the conveniences which Austin
affords for being made a manufactur-
ing city. The river flows at her south
ern boundary with the railroad run
ming almost parallel to it with SUI
ticient space between them for the
building of mills and factories.
Heretofore other opportunities have
been afforded for profitable invest
ment, and capital, always sensitive,
has hesitated to venture into new en-
terprises. But these opportunities
are now lessened, and the time has
come when capital must pluck up
courage and make a venture. A ven
ture need not, however, be made in
the dark, for Texas has the advantage
of the experience of other and older
states of the South by which she may
be guided. The trade journals, such
us the Manufacturers Reco I'd, of Bal
timore, and the Tradesman, of Chat
tanooga, abound with instances
of manufactures of various kinds
springing up in the South. And
usually the success attending the 10
cation of one plant is such as to lead
quickly to the building of Others"
NO PLACE SUPERIOR TO AUSTIN.
"With deep water on the Texas
coast, so confidently hoped for, it cam
not be long before the cattle OF the
state will be slaughtered at home,
large tanneries established, and then
follows naturally the manufact-
ure of boots and shoes. But
with cheap material and
a good market at home there is no
need to wait for deep water to build
wooden and cotton mills. 1t would be
difficult to find location for cotton
mill superior to Austin. There is
enough cotton marketable at Austin
to supply a hundred thousand spindles
and with a greater number of spindles
the supply OF cotton would doubtless
be increased, cotton, too, of very
high grade coming directly from the
producer, thus saving the expense OF
rail transportation. Much of this
cotton, too, can be bought in the seed
and the expense of baling be
thereby saved, which is no
inconsiderable item. Now cotton
is raised in Texas, the expense of car
rying it East paid, it is then manu-,
featured and at an additional expense
returned to Texas and sold to the pro-
Queer. Or, Texas is the market for
Georgia mills or Tennessee mills in
both of which states cotton is bought
ut a higher price and is of grade in
terror to Texas cotton. Fuel can be
procured at Austin at reasonable cost
with no danger OF an increase, but a
favorable prospect of a reduction in
price"
SOME OTHER POTENT REASONS.
"Other reasons for the building o.
cotton mills in Austin could be
enumerated, but these ought to be
sufficient to induce capital to turn
in this direction. Cotton mills in
other parts of the South pay interest
upon mortgage bonds and handsome