Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-03-15
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. AZ,

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. AZ, 1890.
STR respectfully submit for the considera-
ton Of your committee the following facts in
connection with 8. B. 28OO. 'to promote the con-
struction of deep water harbor Oh the coast
of Texas at Padre Island:''
It is fact that deep water is nearer the shore
at Padre island than at any other point on the
coast of the gulf of Mexico, from Yucatan to
the Florida capes.
Thirty feet of water, with clay bottom, can
be reached in 1900 feet from the shore line of
Padre Island.
The land shore is twenty five feet above
mean low water at this point. An abundance of
hard rock for rip-rap and soft sand rock for
concrete is at hand for use in constructing the
sea wall; and all the timber necessary for use
in the construction of the work be brought
from Sabine Pass in schooners at q compare
lively trifiing cost.
This point is nearer to the Pacific ocean than
any other point on the Atlantic or Mexican gull
coast within the limits of the United States.
From San Francisco, Cal, to this point, 400
miles of travel by rail can be saved in coming
from ocean to ocean. Good, fat Texas beef can
be furnished to Boston, New York and other
Eastern cities three cents per pound cheaper
than the present rates, free from the fever,
shrinkage, and other pernicious effects upon
fresh beef consequent upon crowded railroad
travel.
The viaduct, sea wall, and breakwater, in
fact the harbor complete, can be constructed,
at cost of s., 500 900, and within less than two
years time.
An outer harbor at this point would furnish
the best outlet for and secure the benefits of the
commerce of o-thirds OF Mexico and of all the
western states of the Union between the Missis-
sippi river and the Pacific coast.
BY it's contiguity to the range this point would
be the best shipping point in the United States
for Texas cattle, and by the outlet and cheap
water transportation it would restore life and
prosperity to the cattle trade of the West, which
has been ruined by combines, long railroad
hauls, and the cry, ''Texas fever!"
for carrying out the enterprise, but instead of a
moneyed appropriation for improving the coast
at this point it asks the guarantee of per
cent. interest on 81, 500 900 of the bonds of the
company, and amply protects the government
against loss by giving control of the work to
the government in case of failure to paw one
year interest. And under penalty of forfeit
ure of the guarantee compels the company to
expend all money arising from the sale of bonds
and the construction of the work, and when
completed. makes the harbor harbor of refuge
OF charge, to the government for use of its navy
and revenue service, and limits the wharf
charges to half the rates now charged by the
wharf company at Galveston.
! would respectfully impress upon you the
fact that an outer harbor has no elements OF I'M
certainty. The question of outer harbors has
long since passed from the uncertain elements
of theory to absolute demonstrated facts, as will
be readily ascertained by referring to sundry
outer harbors which are now and for some time
have been in successful operation in other coun
tries. I submit few of many of these, giving
the depth of water in which constructed: