San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-20


and of other great cities, are giving
rise to the most grave thought on the
part of seriOus-minded citizens and
statesmen. 1t is a question from its eX-
cessive indulgence, and controlling
power that threatens to try the
strength of the American Republic.
The Clarksvile, Texas, Standard has
the following very sensible editorial
about Texas harbor improvements.
Many of the leading daiies in the State
might take few lessons in political
economy. 1t says: several Of our
contemporaries talk about concentrating
upon some imputed harbOr of Texas for
the procurement of deep water. AS,
palpably, no agreement could be hoped
at, because the advocates of Arkansas,
Pass CayallO, Galveston and Sabine Pass
would neither be willing to abandon
their own interests, there would not be
the slightest probability of any good.
Besides this difficulty of agreement,
there is really not the slightest neces-
sity for a choice. There are four places,
perhaps five, where deep water can be
had, for all of them by moderate eX-
pendItures. BY judiciOus manage
ment appropriations can be got
for all. Those for which the
least money will bring the depth of wa.
ter, with the least delay, are entitled to
the priority which nature has awarded
to them. This talk about concentrating
upon any one to the temporary aban-
dOnment of others is manifestly unjust.
The State as whole is most interested
in getting deep water wherever it can
get it first. Very little expenditure will
give railroad facilities to any one of
these localities. Giving all fair
chance, shipments will first go wherever
the water is first found. There is no
great difference in their local conven-
fence. Whenever depth Of water is OBJ
period not very remote, then the ship
per will make his choice of ports, and
their relative advantages will determine
his choice. 10 say that San Antonio
and the entire Southwest should not
avail itself of its natural facilities, but
should wait on Galveston, is mani'estly
dwariing the interests of city as large
as Galveston, and large section of the
State, in subservance to the Interests of
Galveston. TO say that the upper Trim
ity and Sabine and all the east must
wait on the tardy procurement of water
at Galveston, when it can get il more
speedily at Sabine, is equivalent to say
ing that the most populous part of the
State, its commercial and agricultural
interests, must all be made tributary to
the superior interests OF the municipali-
| ty of Galveston. We assume that the
majority of the people of the State will
submit to no such retardment of their
prosperity. In saying this, we take no
part against Galveston, nor say any
thing to its disparagement. We hold it
to be an important commercial city,
whose interests have been depressed by
the Encouragement of its own citizens.
We hold that this Congress ought to
give it an appropriation of S1,OOO,OOO,
thus furnishing means for continuous
construction of the eastern jetty, with
all the force that can be probably en-
ployed upon it. The writer has no
doubt whatever that depth of water can
be got at Galveston by giving the outlet
Of the jettles a space not very wide, and
keeping up continuous dredging to keep
the quicksands in movement. lie be.
lieyes that continuous dredging will al.
ways be required to keep deep chan.
] mel in Galveston harbOT, but, that be.