The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-03-13
NUMBER 4.

8 from the ice-clad cliffs OF Maine Il
where the crested waves OF the Ocear
, meet and kiss the gllstenlng sands o.
the West, that has failed to avail her
self Of the grand gifts which the hand
of nature has bestowed upon her.
1t cannot be that Mississippi's sons
} are wanting in any attribute OF char.
acter necessary to give them high
rank among the foremost people OF
the earth in energy enterprise and in
telligcnce. In war her gallant sons
have plucked from many a battlefield
the trophy of victory, and placed'up0n
her brow an unfading crown, that will
last as long as virtue has 4 vOtary or
beauty champion.
The blood Of her slain sons and the
battle scars upon the living are silent
but lasting monuments to their bra
very and heroism. In education our
State has just cause to feel proud.
Upon the dcsolate fields OF war have
been erected grand institutions OF
learning, which are a credit to our
State and blessing to our people.
And now your committee Is
thoroughly impressed with the opin-
ion that we have confronting US an
enterprise, vast in its proportions,
fruitful OF grand possibilities and OF
inestimable benefits to the people OF
our entire State. The great cxpanse Of
our territory, unblest with railroad
facilities, cry out To us for relief, that
they too may be placed in touch with
the march Of progress aud advance
ment. A harbor on our coast will be
the gateway through which the com.
mcrce OF the world may be cmptied,
and adOrn our shore with the active
fleets OF every nation. The project OF
railroad extending through the GEN.
tral portion of Mississippi, from north
to south, connecting with a harbor on
the coast, cannot fail to inspire US
with Il deep sense Of its vast import
ancc and wonderful influence upon the
welfare and future development Of
the State.
1t may be asked ''can it be done ?"
We answer that the mind OF man
brooks no defeat. That mystic spark,
which lies hidden within the secret
and mysterious receSses of the brain,
lured from its silent resting place,
curbs the vivid lightning's flash, and
with its tongue speaks to distant na-
tiOns. And now, in conclusion, your
report that the establish
mcnt OF deep water harbOr on our
coast is. In their judgment, entirely
and recommend that the
State use every means in its power,
both with its influence and its means,
to accomplish this end, believeing
that in doing so she will greatly in
crease her resources, add to her reve-
nues and place her in the front ranks
among the States Of the Union.
We feel that this report would be
Incomplete, and that we would be un-
true to ourselves and to the State we
represent if failed here to express,
and thus to perpetuate, our sincere
thanks and appreciation for the gen.
erous and 0pen-hearted hospitality
extended US by the officers of vessels
upon which we have Travelled, and
especially to the citizens of the coast.
We have found them literal, generous
md fully alive to every impulse look.
ng to the welfare and development Of
)ur State. Through their unbounded
kindness and earnest sOlicitudc for
,ur comfort they added greatly to the
pleasure of our visit, and at the same
lime aided materially in performing
,he services assigned to us. We hope
1t no distant day their lovely section
,f country may receive the reward
which her generous people so richly
leserve.
In the matter OF expense, we wish
70 report that from the appropriation I
)f $500 made by the State for tle,tr.
pense'of our c9IRRiIttteeas c9IRl!si!lttes " we are cna.
'leo W Cover back into the treasury
Hthe State the sum of-dollars, and
IN itemized expense account for the
whole trip is hereto attached, with
,he vouchers therefor, which is asked
20 be taken and considered as a part
If this report.
And now having performed the du-
lies required of your committee, it
lsks to be finally discharged.
Respectfully submitted,
JAS. T. HARRISON, Chairman.
j, S. Hicks.