San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-11-22
DEEP WATER WORK.
An Instructive Lecture on a Most
Interesting Theme-Col. Ropes
Address at Rischess' Opera
House.

HOUSE,.
Col. Ropes was greeted with very
sppreciative audience last night,
when he rose in response to Secretary
Hunts introduction and faced his
audience in the opera house on Hous-
ton street.
Col. Ropes opened his address with
. reference to the deep water conven.
tions already held, and the statistical
information they have given
to the country, demonstrating
the overwhemlmipg Importance
of successfully solving the deep
water question. The losses to
the great west by reason of the long
haul to the Atlantic sea board were
illustrated most perrinently, and an
idea OF the import of these lost mil
lions most graphically conveyed.
Referring TO his own position at the
Topeka convention as an advocate OF
three ports on the gulf coast of Texas,
Col. Ropes entered a very manly and
generous protest against jealousy and
depreciation of the work of others on
the part of rival deep water locations
and companies, and declared that
could his word center all effort at
Corpus Christi he would not speak
that word.
The speaker then proceeded to give
reasons, sound business ones, based
upon the volume Of foreign commerce
that would find its entrance at our
deep water ports. to show why three
or more ports. would advantage Texas
as one port could not. Turning then
to the more local view, and directing
the attention of his hearers to the
work that he was conducting, by the
aid of charts and diagrams he laid
before his absorbed listeners in q
simple object lesson the mystery of
the bars, the action of the currents,
the forces of nature, and deduced
from these the conclusive reasons
for his work being undertaken
just where it was and prosecuted as
it has been. The effect of deep
water upon San Antonio was set forth
in these words:
"Deep water at Corpus Christi
means everything for San Antonio,
because this city by its very location
and present size and growth, will Sc
cure the lions share of the general
benefits to be derived. Once the
problem is solved, your property will
double in value. You have the most
magnificent natural resources; you
have an almost unlimited water
power, and you are bound to grow
great by the success of the deep water
plan at Corpus Christi. Therefore,
we, who are doing all in our power to
complete the good work begun, ask
your cordial sympathy and support"
The progress of the work at Mus
tang Island was detailed, and in
answer to an enquiry from the audi
ence Col. Ropes gave a positive de-
NAL to the report frequently circu-
lated, that the sand was falling in
behind his dredge boat and filling
the channel.
The interviews published In the
LIGHT from time to time with Col.
Ropes and other members Of the Port
Ropes company have kept readers of
the LIGHT posted as to the progress
of the work referred to and recapitu.
lation is unnecessary.
The address was Intensely interest
ing, clearly expressed IN plain Ian
guage, and left marked impression
upon the minds of those who
heard it, and they were the repre-
sentative men of the community, the
men who are deeply concerned for
the success of deep water efforts on
the gulf coast; for they know that in
the success or failure of this attempt
to secure deep water lie involved the
success or failure of much that is vi
tai to the interests of Southwest
Texas.