The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
WORK ON TEXAS RIVERS.
p,ooositlon to Employ Convicts in
CanaIizlng Them.
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF THE PLAN,
a.. Unyylsins of Dallas Advances
Many Reasons Why the Plnn
should he Successful.

canalize the rivers OF the State by means
nj convict labor was discussed at the last
meeting of the Dallas Commercial club
Thu idea has aroused considerable intercs,
throughout this section. where the subject
=, Trinity canalllation Is Of such great
weight.
w. L. Hawkins, a prominent attorney OF
this city. was the first TO advance the
scheme and now many of the best-known
citizens of Dallas are working to accom-
n,isb what Mr.. Hawkins and the CONNER
cial club have begun.
In Tho following interesting interview Mr.,
Hawkins discusses every feature of the
proposed plan:
"The idea that convict labor should be
utilized In cleaning out and canaliaing the
rivera OF Texas is one which l have been
considering several months. So far as /
know and believe. the plan is my own.
but that is OF little consequence, the I'M
nortant feature being TO determine whether
there is merit Ia II.
"Beleying there is. have for some time
intended to carefully investigate the al
legged necessity for u constitutional amend
mept OH the subject. and to carefully pre-
pare before submitting 1t TO the public an
argument in support OF the proposed plan
for improving Texas waterways. regret
that have not had time to do either.
However in view OF approaching legis-
latiye adjournment. decided TO submit.
for whatever 1t is worth. the idea. even
though In crude form. to the consideration
OF the Commercial club OF Dallas. the legis
lature and the public, hoping to thus in
augurate discussion OF tho subject which
will spread through every voting precinct
in Texas, and ultimately Jesuit in the
navigation OF the Trinity as well as all
other rivers of tbs state susceptible of such
Improvement at reasonable expense. and
also in the upbuilding OF home industries
in this State
"And although can not now do more
than submit hurriedly prepared outline
Of the project, l avail myself OF the kind
invitation extended me to attempt that
much.
The amendment submitted by me for
the consideration OF the Commercial club
was intended to be merely suggestive, and
was only rough draft. | am not welded
TO the phraseology therein employed The
amendment and resolution of unanimous
approval thereof by the club are as fol-
lows:
Whereas. Public interests require
that all natural advantages should be
utilized In developing the material
resources OF our State and in con-
trolling rates Of transportation; there
fore be IL
Resolved, That our senator and rep
resentatives at Austin be and they are
hereby requested to procure the sub
mission to tho people of Texas of an
amendment TO the Constitution of
IeAas, providing that article 16, sec
lows:
The legislature may make provision
ior Inc laying out, construction i'm
WoVenent and permanent mainten-
shce OF public highways. including pub
nc roads, inland waterways and can
aus, for the building of bridges and for
uliilzlng fines, forfeitures and con-
Wei labor, in either felony or misde-
lneahor cases, to any or all of these
purposes, and may provide that such
convict labor may be otherwise util-
he'd
10 render comparison easy, quote said
s'uele 49, section "a. as 1t now reads:
Inc legislature shall make provis-
ION for laying out and working pub
nc roads, for the building OF bridges
ana for utilizing fines. forfeiture and
.UhVict labor to all these purposes.
n my humble judgment the time is ripe
anu the conditions favorable for radical
movement IN Texas looking to the deyel-
vpmeht OF her varied and unparalleled
Won with Its too frequently recurring de-
.iotailZation is over No international
quarei throws its baeful shadow over us.
, siiu no issue Of vast Importance now chal-
.enses the attention of our State legisla-
s saie' II the long-heralded prophesies of
soM tunes be not false Texas should pre-
Iaie TO take the tide at the full that 1t
may lead on to fortune, and If the har-
buyers OF better times serve but TO mock
80 80, hhe the cup of Tantalus-if hard times
az SIM TO lnger at our door il is the
- o ~, hhperatlvely necessary for tho people
.cally. "'i' anu POI 'o' III Ae'o-
A. AS when an earthqualso is imminent
40 sir Is stirred with unusual influences,
W.. a'e now present premonitory indlca-
~ ~ OF an upheaval in public thought.
In" NH may within the remnant OF this GEN.
encs s"aho Texas from center to circumfer-
t.Ls' AS an instance of such premonitons
sms, senator Bowsers constitutional
srn'0nuinent to be voted upon in August
ss,,;aoeernlng exemption OF factories from tax
MAJ MAJ ana for another take tho efforts
las 70 "a certain localities, notably at Dali
rea, W. ,seeure, by water route competition, a
-, eIoh In transportation rates.
orr u'ne TO make a new departure In
ra INDUSTRIAL status, and to inject some
"a issues into Texas politics. 1t is time
for e ~ many past differences, aud |
sbon,, our people to stand shoulder TO
.y ,Tn for our material prosperity
n. eAas more than any other state, holds |
a.. hey to tho industrial, commercial and |
isrsa,,iial situation. She can readily make !
,rs,san serenely independent of trusts. |
sbin him. associations aud government owner
SUD OF railroads.
IN INK nike map of the world and stick pin
na,uro section most highly favored by |
bava an things considered. and you will |
bipe nsiiorated said map between the Sa
fiyer anu no Grande aud between Red
.J,. ana salt water.
IN ,hS the nifty most important elements
best s,l makeup of that country which is
ness uapted to health. wealth and happi-
row sna perhaps forty-nine VIII be found,
"rba W dormant, in Texas.
sent vii, ,'ement most conspicuously alb
approoiai be the failure of her people to
raniss.'e and utilize her transcendent adj
yer,ity were a scholarship in the uni
Tor ,bo VI Texas TO be offered as a prize
Use IN naming of one article In current
Is por modern civilization. which article
The seha,asan not be produced in Texas.
lops t,uaiship would probably go for
une unclaimed.