San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-02-02
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY, 2, 1888.
THE CONVENTION ANIMUS.

The spirit and temper Of the cOnVen-
tion now in session in this city is pre-
eminently Texan rather than south
western Texas. The sentiment is de-
cidedly favorable to Texas as whole
rather than to any part OF Texas. I'm
migration seems to be the keynote and
when this string is struck all sound out
full responsive echo. 1t is not so GER
tain that any clear conception OF the
methods by which this immigration
movement is to be stimulated obtains
among the minds of the few who seem
to think that there is potent spell In
the word itself The misunderstand-
ing OF one or two as to the import OF
some very ordinary proceedings LED at
one time to little danger of friction,
but the work of the convention was all
harmoniously formulated and placed In
the hands Of the several committees
before adjournment last evening. One
thing most necessary TO be considered
and by some lost sight Of is the necessa-
~ outlets for commerce and the market
for products so necessary to induce ag-
riculture and manufactures, The OPP
position on the part Of some, not many,
to any consideration of the ques-
ton OF deep water upon the coast
seems very short sighted and must
be concluded to arise from lack OF
Intelligent examination and study of the
Texas situation. Texas is farther from
the northern and eastern market by rail
than any of her competitors for the sup
ply OF the markets ofthat section. Texas
must come IN on the same footing as
other states, and over q long haul she
cannot successfully compete with those
who have a shorter haul of one thousand
miles or more. Some advantages Of a
quick soil and an early spring growth
she possesses, but these are only tenn
porsry 10 their character. Her outlet
must be by sea and not by rail. Her
markets must be sought In the Span
ish republics and In South America.
Here an Inviting field is opened for her
products; and, this region, with her own
territory and north Mexico by rail,
must be accepted as very large by
bounding the area Of her markets. Pro-
duction Ia rapidly increasing over con.
sumption, at home and abroad, and the
markets once opened to American pro.
ducts in Europe are gradually closing
The old world countries are supplying
their own home wants from their own
colonies and naturally discriminating
In favor OF their own colonial posses
sions In matter Of trade. Year BY year
the area Of Americas foreign market
closes. India China, Australia and Egypt
supply much that was formerly supplied
by this country, and new markets must
be sought. Those which open most inyit.
ingly are found In the Central and South
American countries aud by no way can
these be reached by us in Texas save BY
she opening of our gulf ports. 1t is easy
to cry manufactures! immigration and
ascore OF other things; but, manufac.
eures are over-crowded. The msnufac.
tories of America running eight month.
In the year can more than supply the de
mand Of all her present markets. Hell
agricultural area more than supplies al
the demand for agricultural product
and the supply by improved methods O.
tillage could readily be doubled.
A market Is the first thing necessary
Either new one or some new way O
reaching an old one cheaper than th,
present and which will discount tn,
distance from market by rail which
now initiates against the Texas pro
Queer. Why should southwest Texa
haul her products to southeast Texas I,
nnd seaport when a better one can b,
found some hundreds Of miles neare,
home in her own vicinity. Why should
the consideration Of deep water har
Dor In southwestern Texas be consider
ed SO foreign to the legitimate consider
alton OF southwestern Texas oonyep
tion? No valid reason why, can be I'D
duoed, and none has been attempted