The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-04-12

put into operation many of the lessons
by which her sister states have so
much profited. 1t mas been used to
her disadvantage that she was great
cattle aud cotton state and only that.
This was so much impressed upon us
that we ourselves for years were in
Glued to believe it. Happily for US
that bubble has been for some
years exploded. We know that
Texas is great not only in
area, but that she can
be made great in every way agricul-
turally, commercially and "manuiact-
urally" Her mines and timbers are
as inexhaustible as her land and the
pluck of her people.
Yet while we have learned this les
son, have we not been slow in putting
it into practical effect? Ten years ago
the cattle man received his dreadful
black eye and set about changing the
conduct of his business. But Texas
cattle are still sent North to be
slaughtered, while Texas is of all
places the ideal spot for great pack
cry. Our cotton planters have fell
the gnawing tooth OF the mortgage
that 5 cent cotton will not satisfy
And yet to what limited extent
have the farmers consented to
diversity their crops, and
to raise cotton only for
profit and not as their crop of main
reliance? In mining we have done as
yet absolutely nothing. But it is in
the line of manufactures that Texas
presents a truly pitiable record. The
exception to this is so marked it is
notorious. 1t really has been left for
Austin to take the first step in. any
thing like Wholesale manufacturing
in the state. Our opportunity for
doing this we have ourselves created,
but to take advantage of it is yet the
privilege OF the future.
And what of this New South as ap.
piled to the cities? Our older settlers
lived on the increment of their values
as the slow tide of emigration flowed
in and later upon the COW mans SO 1.3
per cent. Trading was a rather
primitive matter until within the last
fifteen or twenty years. But now things
are on modern basis. Our stores
are we'll equipped with the goods and
styles that prevail in the great centres
that set the fashions for the world.
We are in close contact by railroad
with every point of the compass.
Monty, that great desideratum, is
purchasable at but 2 per cent higher
rate than prevails generally else
where. Under the rules of the New
South we measure up to all the re-
qurements save one. We live, eat
and dress well, we have railroads and
all the modern appliances of civiliza-
ton and we enjoy cheap money; but
in one thing we have been lacking
progression. Measured under the full
standard of the New South we are
delinquents under heavy bond to
the future. And 1t seem
that the history of our growth to this
time points with special emphasis the
rule of conduct for our future. Our
elegant homes and public buildings
set off in sharper contrast our lack Of
proper streets and sidewalks. The
great volume of trade that has been
diverted to little towns that have
sprung up around us should convince
of the necessity of macadamized
county roads The cheap rate Of in
terest that so disgusts the money
lenders and that has piled up s., 000,-
900 of idle capital in the banks should
compel us to find a new line of invest
ment that will return 10, II and Is
per cent. And this investment, which
means manufactures, would answer
the one remaining demand OF the re-
quirements of the New South. 1t
would give every idle dollar lucrative
employment, it would largely increase
our population, it would create new
taxable values and make foundation
for paved streets and sidewalks, it
would establish a home market for
Texas products, it would cheaper the
cost Of living and in every way bless
the whole communicate would make
of Austin an ideal city under the
regime Of the New South.
THE house yesterday by a very
large majority vote decided to adept