The
BATTALION.
Vol. X. CoijvKGK Station, Texas, June, 1903. No. 7
VT By R. H. Mansfield.
VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. The A. and M. College as a Factor in
; —- = . ■ ■ the Development of the
State.
No fact has been more evident to the
world or more gratifying to the native
Texan than the recent rapid progress made
by the Lone Star State along the lines of
industrial development. This advancement,
which is as yet practically in its infancy,
is all the more deserving of note when we
reflect that this state, almost boundless in
its extent and limitless in its natural wealth,
has so recently become a member of the union.
In the great struggle for freedom from
the Mexican yoke, when the grim walls of
the sacred Alamo were stained with the
martyred blood of such heroes as Bowie and
Crockett, there was exemplified that same
spirit of indomitable courage and determin
ation which has ever characterized the cit
izens of Texas in the upbuilding of the
commonwealth, first as a republic and later
as a state. Out of almost impassable for
ests have been carved cities of importance
in the industrial world—cities resounding
with the din of foundries, machine shops
and manufactories. From these bustling
centers of trade have emanated enterprises
which have fostered the growth and im
provement of the surrounding regions.
Upon the completion of the Nicaraguan
canal the ports of the gulf coast bid fair to be
come veritable emporiums of trade between
the United States and the Orient. This
increase in the commerce of the coast cities
will give an impetus to harbor improve
ments and the building of railway exten
sions forming a vast network of lines for
the transportation of products between the
ports and inland marts ; < This railway con
struction, in which Texas today ranks
among the foremost of the union, fosters
the growth of towns and cities and opens
up to exploration and improvement vast
regions of hitherto unknown wealth.
The mining regions which have as yet
been superficially worked remain for the
enterprising young engineer to develop to
the full extent of their unfathomed treas
ure.
The advancement made in the oil regions
has been a marked one in recent years and
with increase in the number of fields being-
operated, a stimulus has been given to
manufacturing industries because of the
cheapness of oil fuel as compared to other
fuels.