Wichita eagle., 1888-07-27
TEXAS AND DEEP WATER.

IENSS AND OEGP WA tx.
DALLAS Tex, July 25-The conserva-
tive business interests of Texas are now
leaving the local influences brought into
existence bp the Fort Worth deep water
convention and considering the question
as an economic, industrial and CONNER
cial proposition, IN which place or places
cut not a small figure. The leaders III the
matter propose to no longer submit The
fate of the movement to government APP
preparation, which it is thought will never
be ample for the work, but force it into
state politics and have bonds issued in a
necessary amount to complete the work
without intermissions of years, as have
been practiced by the federal government.
The chief reason why aid from the federal
government is considered hopeless, is be-
cause the movement will array against
it all the capital controlled by and
controlling the ports of Philadelphia
New York and Boston. The railroads that
terminate at these points know full we'll
the meaning of first class gulf port, and
foresee the material effect it will have
upon their traffic; therefore, a bill before
congress apDroprating money enough to
develop a first class harbor will rouse an
opposition rarely heard of in Federal legs-
idtlon. For this reason it has been decided
to try the Federal government, and exert
all the influences that the Denver conven-
ton, which meets September 10, can call
into action. OF course, the project is en-
pected to fall, and then the state of Texas
Will take the matter in hand and a first
class port or ports will be reasonably sure.
The proposition is this: That the state is
sue bonds and advance money to the gov
eminent engineers or otherwise, to COM
plete both harbors with thirty-fOot chan
mel, and the state build and equip the
wharyeS and docks necessary tor com
merce.
An eX-engineer of the English govern
ment, now a resident of Texas, says:
Without the state owning the wharves
we could not undertake II, as we would
have no means of collecting toll on the
imports and exports TO pay the interest on
the bonds. The general government
might transfer the right to collect port
aud tonnage dues, but no such thing
should exist in the ports of Texas. IL
makes no difference to the producer
whether the incidental expenses of trans
pOrtatlon to q consuming market Is called
port and tonnage dues or tolls, but it
makes considerable difference TO the ship
owner, and the idea is simply immense
When we consider that the shipping in
terests are subject to a species OF robbery
and extortIon in two-thirds of the ports of
the world. Our ports should be free
If we want TO make Texas the
home OF the mercantile fleet
of the United States, which
we can do if we only embrace the oppor-
tunity, and that opportunity Is just now,
AMI II means that our mutton and our
beef viii be consumed at the maritime
or in, -afa instead pf ar no
ports of Chicago, New York and Boston,
and it means a good home market for
everything else Be il remembered that If
we lower the freight TO Liverpool by way
OF a Texas port we lower the railway
charge 10 northern port IN the same de-
gree, and it will pay the through lines to
take IL for the cost OF firing. if it were
necessary. as they come to Texas with
merchandise At full rates and haye TO so
back. loaded or unloaded, and the cost for
fuel for loaded train amounts to but
trifie more than an empty one and all the
other expenses are the same The high
wharfage staggered me little in 1878, but
when found the average Hte OF tlmbers
was only between three and four years IT
was easy TO perceive that over 20 per cent.
of the charges were for renewals and
went into noboGvs pocket; simply eaten
up by the teredo. All that can be done
during the next session OF the leg
is4ature VIII be 10 make az amend
meut to the constitution and submit
it to the people for approval; then
an extra session 10 put the business
in shape, which can be done before the next
congress closes. If the state undertakes
the work. IL Is probable that the rivai rail-
way war between Arkansas Pass and Gal
weston will cease. The following of each
place will combine for state appropriations
for both points. Ii is estimated that ST.
90. 90 VIII develop and equip both ports
The state can float that amount of per
cent ffry-year bonds. and can well afford
10 do IT. TheSut.rest would be only s4So.-
90 less than oue ;hird of the present
Hghterage on the cotton crop alone. When
il is considered that this work will develop
the linitless iron and coal fields OF the
state and take the states cattle interests
from the control of the Chicago monopo-
lists, il IS easy TO understand that Texas Is
for deep water ar once by q general appro-
priation IL possible, but for deep water II
all hazards"