New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-31
GIVE TOLD YOU So
THE CHIEF GULF PORT
WHAT is THOUGHT OF THE MATTER IN
GALVESTON.

lished an article setting forth the danger
which the Crescent City incurred Of losing
the proud position which she has until COW
held as the chief port of the gulf. This
danger arises from the fact that Galveston
is obtaining a sure improvement to the
entrance to her harbor, which will in two
or three years be completed 60 as to admit
vessels OF deep draft; and from the add
tional fact that Galveston is now better con-
nected Thy rally with the Red river country
about Shreveport than is New Orleans and
that these rail connections render it as
easy for st. Louis to trade with Galveston
as with US: while New Orleans is likely to
be deprived of her prospects for an i'm
provement in the draft of vessels coming to
her wharf by the defeat of the Fort St.
Philip canal plan, G Galveston is live town.
We would be glad to see it go ahead if it
we're not at our expense. We notice in the
Galveston Ners a communication which
gives a very clear idea of the situation as
it presents itself to US. 1t is as follows:
There appears but slight room to doubt
that Galveston will shortly begin to gather
the fruits of her well directed. erterprising
efforts to take position as one of the best, if
not the very best, seaports on the coast Of
the Cult OF Mexico.
The works undertaken for harbor i'm
provement, which were at fest considered
as partly experimental in their character,
have progressed far enough to assure US,
almost beyond possibility Of doubt, that if
they are carried to completion they will
provide an excellent entrance to our har-
Dor.
Eighteen feet over our bars is the mini
mum OF expectation, with possibilities Of
reaching greatly beyond that figure.
This, with harbor front extending from
Fort Point to the western limit of the pres
emit front, and with such widening OF the
harbOr as is known to be eminently practi-
cable, may give opportunity to capital and
enterprise for making Galveston the queen
city OF the gulf.
The trade between Mexico, the Central
and South American States and the great
commercial centres of the upper Mississippi
valley, which is now looming up, is the prize
we hold in view. 1t must come to a gulf
port rather than take the much longer route
via the Atlantic ports and the expensive
railroad lines crossing the Alleghanies.
The Mississippi river and the compare
interior to the Gulf offer means for cheap
transportion with which, if wisely managed,
the Eastern railroads can not successfully
compete. 1t is believed to be true, that
even no " the railroad from Chicago to New
Orleans is not only competing in transport
alton Of grain with routes to the East, but
also with river transportation from st.
Louis.
All that remains to further tho develop
ment Of this great trade is suitable port,
and for this there are but two great COM
petitors-Galveston and New Orleans. Gal
weston appears to have the start in the race.
Her works of improvement are we'll in
progress, and promise success. A large
appropriation by Congress for continuance
will probably be made this spring, and it
will therefore be possible to push the work
Of improvement to earl = completion.
On the other hand, the outlet to the port
of New Orleans stands in regard to i'm
prOvement almost where it did forty years
ago.
Improvement has been delayed by the
presentation OF too many conflicting plans,
presented by engineers and by adventurers
of all classes, discussed and rediscussed
without practical conclusion, until now it
appears that another experiment is to be
tried. the result of which is variously pre-.
dicted, which it will take years to complete,
and which, if unsuccessful, will leave New
Orleans, commercially, where she stands to-
day.
think that Galveston has the start in
the race for the commerce Of the Gulf. and
that start, even of a few years, is every
thing. With the we'll known enterprise Of
her business men, and with the powerful
support Of the growing West ana South
west, beyond the ninety-third parallel, it
will perhaps be a difficult matter for New
Orleans to overtake her.
1t is possible that st. Louis may prefer
to ally herself with Galveston rather than
with New Orleans. She is more of q rail-
road than river city. Her magnificent
railroad bridge has practically cut the
Mississippi in two at her doors She is but
about forty-eight hours from Galv eston by
rail. Her influence has been predominant
in forcing further experiment. at the mouth
of the Mississippi.
1t may be that che would like to keep the
Mississippi closed, open Galveston and thus
make her great rival, Chicago, seek gulf
port only through her gates. It would be
a grand stroke of commercial policy.
While Texas has been pushing her rail-
road system forward with great rapidity
and enterprise. New Orleans has been feebly
reaching out toward it. 1t is barely
possible that in the course of time
she may achieve a connection, but
in the meantime, with your railroads to
st. Louis, to Kansas City-perhaps to Den
yer, to San Diego, to Guaymas and to the
City of Mexico, well advanced, and with
your harbor improvements completed, it
would appear strange if New Orleans
should be able to attract any of the trade
that would be pouring toward Galveston,
seeking a road to the sea.
While sympathizing with New Orleans,
because Of the dead weight she carries in
her race, let US also reasonably exult in our
own vigorous condition and fair prospects.
The Weather and Rivers.
OFFICE METEOROLOGICAL OBsERvER,(