San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-07-09
THE DEEP WATER CONVENTION.

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are busy discussing the problem of a
deep water port on the gulf coast OF
Texas. Months of agitation, discus
sion and controversy have led up to
this important hour. From this con-
vention will go forth an influence that
will be felt in the halls of congress,
and the results of which will only be
apparent in years to come. The vast
southwest, with all its diversified in
terests, with its rapidly multiplying
resources, and marvellous develop
ments, has heretofore been shut in,
from participation in the benefits of
cheap freights which ever attend
ocean transit. While each section Of
the state has had its own interests to
conserve, and its own benefits to
secure, in connection with this matter
of deep water, the time has now come
for all these minor considerations to
be swallowed up in the all inclusive
ness of this one idea, a deep water
port for Texas.
The LIGHT, in common with other
Southern journals, has pronounced
unequivocally in favor of Arkansas Pass
as the most eligible point at which
ocean freights should reach the Texas
warehouses. In doing this while
moved partially by consideration of
the interests of this city, it has also
been moved by profound conviction
of the superiority of Arkansas Pass as
an opening to deep water. A careful
review of the reports of the govern
ment engineers, a close study of the
coast line, an examination of the re-
suits already secured by the. appro-
priations thus far expended, confirm
the belief that an impartial and ex-
haustive consideration of this whole
subject will determine the convention
now assembled at Fort Worth in
favor of the opening of Arkansas Pass,
as the one most certain to secure to
Texas, both now and in the future,
the benefits to be derived from deep
water port of entry. 1t is matter of
profound congratulation that the
character of the convention is
such as to promise a conclusion
fully in accord with the facts, as they
shall be demonstrated before it. Not
only Texas, Colorado, New Mexico,
A VII NTiCcor1ri onI ctn
capitalists are taking deep interest
in this solution. The all rail route
to the Atlantic aboard lays heavy
embargo upon the profits of produc-
ton in that vast west, which lies be-
yOnd the Missouri river. The short
ening of that all rail route by several
hundreds of miles, is the object sought
for in the establishment of deep
water harbor on the coast of Texas.
Only comparatively small number
of those who form this convention,
have any local interest in determin-
ing at what point this deep water
benefit shall be secured; what they
desire, and what they will endeavor
to secure, is deep water and good
harbor at the lowest possible cost.
If western Texas and San Antonio
can demonstrate the superior advan-
tages of Arkansas Pass, it is morally
certain that the verdict of the con-
vention will be in favor of that port.
If such demonstration cannot be
given, it is useless to look
for a verdict favorable to Western
Texas. 1t will be selfish to insist that
appropriations should be expended,
and interests centered at disadvan-
tageous point. The LIGHT, however,
does not believe that as favorable a
showing can be made for Galveston,
IndianOla, or any other railroad ter
minus upon the coast, as can be made
for Arkansas Pass. 1t is strong in the
confidence that it feels in the intrinsic
advantages of the port at the gulf ter
minus of the Arkansas Pass railway. 1t
feels certain that the intelligence, dis
elimination, honest judgment and
real desire for the best interests of the
southwest which shall rule in this
convention will determine this matter
upon its merits, only upon it's merits,
and upon nothing else. AS thus de-
termined, the friends of Arkansas Pass
have everything to hope, and nothing
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