Page 33 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

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COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.
but there is no other place with superior advantages for the manufacture.
Take, for instance, the mills in the Eastern States, we find nine-tenths
of those in the United States stationed there, and fully one-half of the
materials are procured from the South. The last three years have
proven Texas to be the queen mother of all cotton growing states ; surely
San Antonio is more accessible to the entire state's product than a point
three thousand miles away; besides, in the immediate vicinity of San
Antonio are raised in the neighborhood of 100,000 bales each year,
and though the greater part finds an eastward shipment, San Antonio
merchants handled last year, despite the small crop, more than 25,000
bales. This amount converted into clothing, even of a coarser texture than
common, could and would find ready disposition in the neighboring towns,
and would yield sufficient for the raiment of thousands of people. We
hear constantly of the failure or suspension of work in the mills of the
East, hundreds of workers being thrown out of employment, and yet
those with capital have thus far refused to take advantage of the fortunes
to be had simply for the investment of small capital in our midst. Here
is the opening for this industry, and, with the prospect of supplying al-
most an entire sister republic, indeed the day is close at hand. when these
industries will be prosecuted to their utmost extent. The wool trade and
its home consumption in manufactures is assured. Our other staple pro-
ducts will follow the inauguration of that industry, and all Texas, all the
South must turn their eyes upon our city; and the magnet of general
prosperity will command the investment of all their surplus capital here
in our midst.
MEAT CANNERIES.
The whole world is aware of the enormous stock pursuits of Texas,
and particularly the southwestern part. The numbers raised are beyond
accurate computation, but half the Southern markets and many of the
North are laden with Texas-bred beef. There has been much said by peo-
ple from distant parts of America, that a pound of beef in San Antonio is
as costly as in New York. Perhaps, at the present day, it is; but the rea-
son is most potent—labor is the cause. Surely the reports of prosperity
in our section have extended throughout America, sufficient to teach these
people that labor here reaps a great reward. We have proven it the home
for all classes. The future points to the day when the labors will be
prosecuted to such an extent that prices will be, in the local meat market,
but half the present figures; for the consumption will be twice or thrice as
great, leaving the worker with just as large a profit, and a greater deal of
satisfaction.
With the abundance of stock of every description, the facilities for
manufacture of all our home products, it can be easily realized how soon
the packing and canning industries, to supply an enormous surrounding
country, will be located with us.