San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-09-12
Editorial Correspondence
VELASCo COMMERCE..
The Volume OF Her Natural Com
merce-Ihe Country From Which
It Is to Be Received-lts Con-
slant Growth Its I'm
limited Expansion.
NELAsCo, Sept. II. 1891.

As the fact becomes absolutely eStab-
liShed that a deep water port has been
actually opened on the gulf coast OF
Texas, and that vessels drawing 20 feet OF
water can come and go at all times, and
find harbor of absolute security, with
facilities for receiving and diScharging
cargo unsurpassed by such facilities in
any port of the United States, the ques-
tion of the natural commerce tributary to
such port becomes an important
one. During the deep water discus
sionS at Fort Worth. Denver and To-
p3ka the statistics of the north
VS.; clrrying trade were set forth in ev-
cry variety of form and Illustration.
Among other things thus set forth it was
declared that saving of SlOWO,OOO per
month could be effected in railroad
freightS by the short haul to the gulf over
the long haul to the Atlantic sea board.
Be this as it may, the statistics of values
and production and export and carriage
all prove that the natural commerce
seeking outlet at Velasco is far greater
than that seeking outlet in any port of
this country. The trans Mississippi
states have an assessed valuation
today in round numbers of not far from
s., 900, 100000, their actual valuation being
nearly double that amount This section
of the United States is its great produc-
ing ground. The cotton, wheat, oats,
corn, cattle, horses, mules. swine and sill
yer. so much OF them as are exported, are
largely produced within this area. Over
Seventy-tive per cent of all these products
raised in the United States are raised in
the country naturally tributary to a gulf
-, ; 10 h r,,lf 81
Mexico. Three years ago the import trade
of this country was largely with the
countries facing the gulf of Mexico, en-
bracing 20 per cent of the whole import
trade of the United States. The
recent treaties with Spain, where
by our trade with Cuba is null
tipled four fold, and with Brazil and other
south and Central American states
is destined to add so largely to our COM
south of the Gulf of Mexico, that our
commerce outside of this territory will in
a few years bear a small proportion to the
whole. Into the southern states alone
come over twenty per cent of these
Central and South American importa-
tiOns, and yet this whole southern region
is only on the eve Of its development. The
region tributary to the gulf coast of Tex
as produces the bulk Of all that is import
ed to the West Indies and the Central and
South American states. and the natural
outgoing of this commerce is from the
gulf ports. With the new trade
treaties, ratified and being negotiated, it
is not possible that the imports
received from these countries will
long continue to bear so great
a di;propOrtiOn to the exports we
send out. The trade balances must be
more naturally adjusted, and in few
years we may reasonably hope that these
countries will at least receive as much
from our hands as we accept from theirs.
The rapid development of the south also,
particularly in creative industries, the
marvellous multiplication of her manufac-
tories of cotton and wool and iron, point
to a near future when not raw products
but finished goods will form the staple of
her exports, anu for these the natural
port Of shipment must be on the gulf
coast OF Texas. Hitherto the great carrying
lines OF the country have beer from east
to west. The advantageous lines Of trade
must run from north 10 south, traverSing
different ATTITUDES, crossing zones of diff
ferpnt tenn Derature, gathering the pro-
ducts Of different climates as they run
and thus Verpptually inSuring carriage
for large local commerce the volume Of
which will reduce cost OF transportation
to minimum. Texas holds within
herself the means of supply for COM
merCe almost as great as that which is
now carried on with the Central aud
South Americas. Her coal and iron pro-
ductiOn. scarcely begun, can be extend
ed to supply all foreign demand, her
lumber trade also is capable of marvel
lOu> expansion: She now produces nearly
one fourth OF the cotton of the country
and could double her production in a
single season were il profitable
to do So. Her wheattieIdS are yet virgin
SOIL but the harvest of this year, over a
very circumScribed area. demonstrates
her ability to supply the demand of an
immense export trade whenever she res
ponds TO the call and such trade is OPEN
| ed to her. The wheat fields of Kansas
are a. near NclaScO As they are to Chica-
go. Three tOurthS of the freightS
| originating on the PICi- coast now pass
| through Texas TO find shipment on the
gulf coast, under great disadvantages,
beyond the mouth of the BraZOS. What
| commerce may grow to under favorable
| circumstances. such as are Afforded here
! at the mouth Of the BraZOs. can only be
cOnicctured. The whole country from
| Denver southwark to the guilt lies within
| 1900 mile radius from VelascO. This in
! CludeS, of course. Kansas City, Omaha
| and all Iowa. There never has been a
| deep water part on the Gulf coast of
| Mexico. Galveston cannot be called such.
| New Orleans is 100 hundred miles by water
| from the gulf and all sailing vessels must
| be tOwed up at great expense and loss
| of time. The opening of this deep water
port at the mouth of the BrazoS opens up
| infinite possibilities to Texas and the
whole northwest. Not port on the whole
| Atlantic SeabOard can command so large
a natural commerce, or even approach it,
| NelaScO commands the commerce of q
| country larger than that which finds its