The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-02-04


bounds of civilization. Her de-
lightful climate, beautiful and
location, picturesque
scenery, Colorado dam and $4,000, ,00s
capital and other magnificent build
ings are only equaled by the open
handed liberality and patriotism OF
her big hearted citizens.
To the stockmen in attendance at
this convention l wish to say that
while accepting the hospitality OF the
good people of Austin and while en-
joying the many sights and pleasures
to be found in great capital city like
this, we must not forget that we are
mainly here for business, and that we
have a great and important woEk to
do. We are here as the representa-
tives of an industry that has furnished
the foundation and is still a potential
factor in the prosperity of this great
state. And while it is true that many
other industries are marching to the
front with the steps of giant, yet 1t
can not be forgotten that it was the
stockman who first invaded the path
less plains and drove back the pam
ther and the savage and fitted this
ldlI lduu lOI UuO pCetSOlui "pouO Va SN
happy and prosperous people,. Our
actions and deliberations will be
watched with much interest by the
stockmen of all Texas. Those who
are not with us in person are with us
in heart and sympathy. They expect
through us solution of some OF the
veXatious questions that ar now agi-
tating their minds, and we must not
disappoint them
The object of this convention is
easily stated; it is the organization OF
permanent live stock association
and in connection Herewith the dis
cussion and adoption of such means
and measures as may, in your ludg-
ment, tend to improve the condition
of the live stock interests of the state
1t is left entirely with you as to what
shall be done and how it shall be ac'
complished.
The industry of which you are the
accredited representatives, is esti
mated, in round numbers, at 1900,
coo head of live stock, the value o
which, by our latest and best authori
ty, is fixed at $l50, 900. This fac
alone, should be sufficient, not only tC
Justify, but render absolutely essen
tial, a permanent organization on thu
part Of those owning, handling anc
controlling this vast industry. The
only wonder is, that the combined
opposition from various sources
against which you have been com
PEELED to contend has long ago forcec
you to resort to means and measures
that can only be attained by organiza
ton and united efforts. The farmers
the bankers, the railroad officials, tht
livestock commission merchants, tn,
lumber dealers, the politicians anC
even the hard-worked, poorly pai(
newspaper man have all found it no
only advantageous but absolutei.
necessary to organize, and by th'
various methods peculiar to thei
respective avocatiOns bring themselve
closer together and unite their et
forts in one general cause.-The promo
ton and protection of the business il
which they are engaged. Yet tn
livestock industry, the largest, tn
grandest of them all, the one that ha
done more than all other agencie
combined to develop and attract cap
ital to our state, stands, or rather eX
lists today without the semblance 0
an organization.
Times, customs and usages ar
changing rapidly; we live in pro
gressive age, and the stockmen O
Texas must keep up with the process
sion or step aside and content them
selves by being mere lockers on.
1t is not my purpose to antagOnizt
or fight other organizations or com
binations, but l may truthfully say
that for the want of organization, OF
the part of Texas stockmen, we today
find the state cut up by quarantine
lines and restrictions, which, to say
the least, are unjust, from the fac
that they were fixed and arranged by
officials who never saw and in reality
know but little of the country whose
livestock traffic they propose to reg
ulate.
For the want of organization the
stock interests ofTexas fails to receive
the legislation and recognition, at the
hands of our law makers, that it's i'm.
portance and magnitude demands
For the same reason the live stock
shipper is often compelled to pay ex-
hOrbitant railroad rates and other
charges in connection with moving
shipping and marketing his products.
For the want of properly organ
lied effort Texas has today, but one
successful slaughtering and refriger-
ating establishment, when she should
and could, by little well directed,
organized effort, have at least a half
dozen.
Organization means education, edu-
cation on matters touching the live
stock industry would result in the
introduction of improved methods in
breeding, raising, feeding, maturing
and marketing our live stock pro-
ducts.