The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-10-21
COZ. JONES FALSE CLAIM.


Hon. John H.. Reagan made a
speech the other day, in Brazoria
county, in which he gave its people
the congressional history of appro-
priations for tho mouth of the Bra
eos river, by which it viii be seen
that Col. Jones has been claiming for
himself credit that does not belong
TO him. Judge Reagan, after the
usual thanks, courtesies and gratifi-
cation on being able TO address the
good people of Brazoria, proceeded
to speak of tho $4,000 sppropria-
ton for the Improvement OF the
mouth of the Brazos, and said:
Some people suppose that the
Texas delegation in Congress had
heretofore proved neglectful of their
duties to Texas harbors until Jones
advent into Congress. This was q
great mistake. In 1876 Hancock rep
resented this district He and /
united in getting an appropriation,
fully realizing the importance OF
the Brazos as q cheap harbor and
lace of refuge. II was not the prac-
ticc of the government 10 make ap-
preparations for river improvements
until n survey was made, and mono
ever having been made for this riv-
or, and there being no city or town
ut its mouth, and no organized eff
fort 10 look after and advance the
matter, the reports of the sur
vev did not reach Washing
ton until after the adjournment OF
the session. / spent considerable
telegraphing, and so did Coke TO
get the report, but failed. AT the
next session we had the report, and
had no difficulty in getting the APP
preparation. Some people think
that the previous surveys would
have been sufficient but they were
made with reference to commerce,
and not for a harbor of refuge. At
the last session Of Congress all the
representatives and senator's were
in favor of the Improvement of the
mouth of the BraZos, and all worked
earnestly together. 1t has bee"
asserted that Col. Jones got the
approt ration, and IL entitled 10
the credit for it. This is a mistake.
While Congress was in session, ]
beins chairman of the Commerce
Committee, waa requested 10 APP
point 4 subcommittee, which did.
This committee prepared the en-
tire river and harbor bill. And
when il was reported 10 the full
committee au order was made ca
Guiding all persons from address
Ing the committee, except members
Of the house and senator's Under
this order Senator Coke and Col.
Jones both addressed the committee
i'll favor of tho appropriation and
urged an increase over that put
in the original bill. and L joined
them but could get none. | got
the appropriation Inserted before
any one el5o attempted Ia do any
thing. But this is no detriment to
any other member Of Congress, "a ]
was chairman OF the committee fnd
the proper person TO do II. But
Jones aud all the rest did all they
could, AMI Wa could and would have
done il tbs session before If the sur
veg would have come in in time.
say this 8s q fact, but 10 no way 10
disparsge any others, and deaire "a
say further that there is not s mem
her but has done all they could, and
Col. Jones did all he could, and at
all times worked in unison with all
Other members. You will have no
trouble III getting an increased
appropriation in the future, As
the United States engineers
have reported that the Brazo+
and Sabine pass are the beat and
cheapest deep water routes. and The
only safe hHrbOra OF refuge on the
Texas coast, and now that our har-
Dor improvements are fairly before
the American Congress for action
we will have no trouble in the 1u-
Iure