San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-12-21
MONDAY, DECEMBER 81, 1896,
HEALTHY SAN ANTONIO.

The health giving properties of the
climate of this San Antonio valley
have been discoursed of ever since
1T became the residence of observing
people. Its climatic advantages have
ever been the first advanced in pre-
senting view of it's desirability as
a residence, and on all occasions her
physicians and advertisers, and the
last as much as the first have dwelt
upon the fact that pulmonary diseases
do not engender here, and that those
who are afflicted with weak or dis
eased respiratory organs are cured
in this atmosphere, if their coming is
not too long delayed. In reviewing
the year that has passed since the last
holiday issue of the Light made its
appearance San Antonio has maintain
ed its healthfulness as of old. This
phase of the subject has been consid-
cred so repeatedly that it may be
passed over and other features of her
healthfulness brought into promi-
hence.
During the year the business of the
city has been in a healthy condition.
Not bursting it's bounds in the exu-
berance of its growth, it is true, not
pulling down it's merchant palaces
and building greater, not cutting
Swath double that of former years,
not running over with the volume OF
its daily transactions, but healthy,
just healthy, that is all. When the
depreSsiOns of other localities in the
state are considered there is reason
to conclude that this city is healthy
in a business sense. No doubt that
the year has been one of conserva-
tive movements, that little specula-'
tive trade has been INDUCED in. that
retrenchment in expenditures has
been the rule rather than the eXcep-
ton, that economy has been practiced
in high as well as in low places. No
doubt. that this is so, but none the
less the body of San Antonio business
has been healthy. Judged by the fail
yves that have occurred in COMPARE
ION, with other cities of the state
there is no reason to conclude that the
business here is in any danger of
suffering a collapse. For the volume
of business done it is doubtful if there
Is another city in the country that has
suffered less in business failures than
San Antonio. This is a sure and GER
tain sign of reasonably healthy bus
mess institution. The conclusion
then Is that when the health record
of the city for the year is written
down 1t will be proper to the health
fulness of it's business no less than
the healthfulness of its climate.
Morally the city is healthy. There
is not that overmuch righteousness
that the wise man warns against. but
all the same the morals of the COM
munity average well. Take the pop
ulation, their Diversity of character.
their varied nationalities. their posi-
ton on the frontier. their location
virtually on the border of another re-
public. make allowance for all and
YOU will find few cities of her size so
free from lawlessneSs. debauchery.
violence and all else that comes in the
catalogue of border and frontier
town. There is freedom to do and be
and say. such as is seldom enjoyed
anywhere, and yet there is no law
lessness. Churches and sporting
houses enjoy equal privileges and the
rights of the citizens within and with
out the church are equally resDerted
No better sign of a really moral town
could be adduced. True. there is lit
tie fanaticisms here but that is not n
sign of moral healthfulness. The
level headed cosmopolitan looking at
these signs would put us down as
morally healthy.
The educational health of the city
has not been neglected. The schools
of the city are in evidence. They are
the most advanced of any in the state.
More marked by the spirit Of pro-
gress. More ready to take new de :
partures in the right direction. Have
less old fogyism in their manage
ment. These only indicate their
fullness. No better town in the south
in which to educate vonr children than
in San Antonio. kindergarten. pri-
mary schools. high schools. acadn-
mics. COLLEGES. church schools. mill
tary schools. all are here and q req
Sopahle choice will he ut no less for
its selection. Climate healthy. busi-
ness healthy. morals healthy. frnn-
ces healthy. schools healthy
churches healthy as in anv
other place. there is no reason To dis
count the general hoalthf~IroSs ~
the city for the wear inst dra wing IN
close. Yes, thank you, the Light is
healthy too.