Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-05-12
ARKANSAS PASS.
The Bill for the improvement of Arkansas
Pass Given in FuIl-Texas
Greatly Interested.
corresnondencs Of the Gazette.

Correspondence of the Gazette.
WASHINGTON, May, 6.-The rules were sus-
pended in the house on last Monday, and on
motion OF Mr. Grain, the bill for improving
Arkansas Pass was passed by the house. This
is matter of great importance to Texas and is
given in full:
harbor company, a corporation chartered under
the laws of the state of Texas, and their Rsso-
ciates, assigns, successors, and representatives,
ditions hereinafter mentioned, to construct,
own and operate such permanent and sufficient
ietties and breakwaters and such auxiliary works
as are necessary to create and permanently
maintain, as hereinafter set forth,
navigable channel across the outer bar
which obstructs the entrance to Arkansas Pass
harbor on tine coast of the gulf of Mexico, in
the state of Texas, and SO far into the bays and
navigable waters as may be necessary to reach
place that will afford ample dockage and pro-
lection from storms, swells, cyclones and tidal
waves for the purpose of furnishing the vessels
and boats adapted 20 tne PSrpoSe Int ioF
said channel, and for that purpose they may
construct in the gulf of Mexico and in and
across the bays and navigable waters adjacent
thereto such walls, jetties, bikes, levees and
other structures, and employ such boats, RATS,
bridges and appliances as they may in the pros
ecution of said work deem necessary: Pro-
vided, that no such structure or means en-
ployed shall hinder, delay or interfere with the
free navigation in said ehsnnel, nsrnor, pays
or navigable waters; and to protect their said
works they may build and maintain such levees,
embankments, walls or riprap as may be neces-
sary to secure their permanency along the
Harbor islands as the United states
is authorized to grant, and to util-
already constructed, and will hold the United
States harmless from any manage that may ac-
crue to any person or persons Dy the construc55
other works constructed hereunder: Provided
further, That unless the construction of the
proposed work shall be commenced within one
yesr from date Of the approval of this act and
be diligently prosecuted by the expenditure OF
at least $500, 600 per annum thereafter IN the
prosecution thereof until twenty feet depth of
water over the outer bar is obtained, the grant
of privileges herein shall be forfeited: and I'M
less the said company, their assoclateS, assigns,
successors or legal representatives, shall secure
a uavigable depth over said outer bar OF fifteen
feet of water within three years after the date OF
the approval of this act and navigable depth
of twenty feet of water over said bar within five
years of said date, then congress may revoke
the privileges herein granted IN RELATION 10 SAID
Sec. ?. That at any time after said improve
ments and auxiliary works nave eeen com.
pleted as herein provided, and salq deptn OF
twenty feet has been obtained, the United
States shall have the right to pay the said COM
pany, or their assigns, successors or legal rep
resentatives. the value OF the worxs constracteo
thority granted by the state OF Texas, and on
such payment being made By the United States
all rights to said work the part OF said parties
shall cease but nothing in this act shall be con-
strped as compel ling the government 70 take
possession of and pay for said WORKS unless so
desired. Nothing within the provisions OF this
act shall be construed as authorizing the said
company to charge or collect tolls or tonnage
upon boats or vessels navigating said channel
and the navigation of the same shall be free.
The following is the report of the COM
mittee In full:
The committee on rivers and hsrbors, 70 whom
was referred the senate bill No. S412, entitled
ian act for improving Arkansas Pass" mas con-
sidered the same and am instructed by said
committee to report the bill back to the house
with the recommendation that 1t do pass. The
bill authorizes s'the Arkansas Pass haroor com
pany,' a body corporate, duly chartered oF the
state of Texas, to do all work OF harbor improve
Inent at Arkansas Pass as may be necessary 20 Cd
tain and maintain 4 depth OF not less than TWEEN
ty feet of water on the orter bar At that point;
and this work shall be constructed IN such man
ner as not to impede or interfere with naylga-
ton; and it is provided that the said company
shall hold the government OF the United states
harmless from any damage that may accrue to
any person or persons by the construction OF
said works.
The bill expressly stipulates that 1.-THE Aran-
sas Pass herbor company shall commence the
WORK OF harbor Improvement within one year
from the time that the bill becomes . law, and
be diligently prosecuted by the expenditure OF at
least $50 900 per annum thereafter IN the prose-
cution thereof until twenty feet OF water over
the outer baris obtained. The COMPANY Is also