Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-20
THE TEXAS DEEP HARB0R
A Bill Appropriating $lo,000,O0O Pcrmu-
lated for Presentation to Congress

| DALLAS, Tex. Oct. 19.-The session o.
! the deep water executive committee at the
| Merchants Exchange last night was quite
a contentious affair, Arkansas Pass and
Galveston, as usual, locking horns. The
resolution of Col. Fishback, offered in the
| morning session, were taken up, discussed
| at length and finally laid on the table.
John Hancock, of Austin, and Walter
G. Gresham, of Galveston, each offered
forms of bill to be introduced in
Congress- The merits of each were fully
| discussed, and finally the gentlemen re
tired and agreed upon the following bill,
which was presented to the committee
and adopted after several amendments
had been voted down:
A bill to establish deep water harbor
on the coast of Texas and for other pur-
poses.
Be it enacted by the senate and house Of
representatives of the United States Of
America in congress assembled:
Section l. That the president be and is
hereby empowered and requested to ap-
point three engineers of the army and two
engineers from civil life, who shall pro-
coed to make a careful aud critical exam
ination of the coast of Texas and select the
most eligible point for a deep water har-
bor to be of ample depth, width and
capacity to accommodate the largest ocean
going vessels and the commercial and
naval necessities of the country; said
selection to be made at one OF the present
ports, or at a different place If the COM
mission find it more eligible for the pur-
poses above indicated.
Sec. 2 That the sum of $4,000, 900, or
as much thereof as may be necessary. be,
and the same is hereby appropriated, and
made an available fund for the purpose of
securing such a deep water harbor and
constructing the same as soon as the
selection shall be made: that the COM
missioners herein provided for not in the
employ of the government shall receive
as compensation s. and expenses while
travelling.
Sec g. The money hereby appropriated
to be paid out Of any money IN the treas
ury not otherwise appropriated; said work
to be conducted and the money expended
under the direction of the secretary of
war.
Some amendments were offered giving
rise to a lively debate, but were not voted
down. A resolution was offered by Mr..
Goodall, and adopted, instructing the
chairmen of the several state and territor-
ial committees to cause the above bill to
be presented to their respective legisla-
lures as basis for a memorial to con-
gress, and on behalf of this committee
that they report favorable action on the
same.
A resolution offered by Col. Davis was
adopted returning thanks for Inequalities
and courtesies to the members of the Mer-
chants exchange. fair association, city
government, members of the press and the
rapid transit railway company. A reso-
luton was adopted creating a commit
tee consisting of one member from
each state and territory. whose duty it
shall be to attend on congress at Wash
ington and aid in the passage Of the bill.
Mr.. Walter Gresham was named at the
member from Texas The committee then
adjourned sine die. They left today in
body on visit to Galveston, San Antonio
and Arkansas Pass.