The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-06-26
TEXAS COAST WATERWAYS.
The Rockport Convention Is Looked
Upon as Of Much Importance.
RICH LANDS AWAIT DEVELOPMENT
Great Region VIII he Opened TO the
World II the Inland Hays Arc
Made NnViSnblc.

Galveston, Texas. June 24.-The call Is
sued by Governor Culberson yesterday for
a convention at Rockport on August %
for the purpose of considering the develop
Ing and opening OF the chain OF bays. lakes
and bayous lying parallel TO and along the
gulf coast from the mouth OF the Rio
Grando to the Mississippi. may prove to
be of Importance TO Galveston. Much
thought has been given to this subject by
eminent engineers and 1t IS believed that
the time is not far distant when the pro-
ject of opening up the whole coast country
TO inland steamboat navigation Will be
launched by the government.
1t is more than likely that all the In
flucnce and support of Galveston will be
given to any reasonable proposition that
the Rockport convention frames
The canali-atiop of the coast territory
from the Rio Grando TO the Mississippi in
conjunction with the Improvement OF such
waterways rs the Trinsy and Brazos
would be of immense value to Houston and
Galveston. Between this city and the Rio
GrIlde there extends with but few breaks
a chain of bays which require but mod
! crate amount of dredging 10 make them
navigablc TO boats OF light draft. The
cutting OF canals through the low lands
| that separate these bays would make ono
clear route from BRACES Santiago TO this
city, This work has been surveyed and is
entirely practicable. The cost of develop
ing the project and carrying 1t through to
success would be very large, hut it would
be small in comparison with the manifold
| benefits II would result in.
| The establishment OF a system Of inland
navigation along the Texas coast would
bring into touch with the world Il wonder
full territory of fertile, semi tropical land,
which only awaits the farmer and the
| hortlculturist to make II one of the most
productive sections of The country. The
want of facilities for cheap and rapid
| transportation has hitherto prevented the
| colonization and cultivation of these lands.
| With the inland bays opened up to naVi-
CATION 1t would be natural to develop and
| deepen the various bayous and entrances
of the bavs so as 30 extend the territory
open to waterway communication.
The deepening of the many rivers Of
Texas so SIS TO make them navlgable as
| far from the mouth AS possible within Il
reasonable cost is likely 10 be put before
congress before long.
These facts and the fact that the pros
rerity OF such coast towns as browns
! WIFE, corpus CHRISTI, Portland, Kocknorl.
Port LGvaca. Matagorda and Nelasco will
depend largely upon the utilization OF the
inland water route will give to the Rock
port meeting strength and an influence
that will be felt throughout the State.
Brazoria. Matagorda. Jackson. Calhoun,
Refugio Arnnss. San pts1rIcio. Nueces
and Cameron counties are deeply interest
ed in the proposition TO establish an In
land navigation route aud any proposition
tending TO bring the project TO the lttpn -
ton of congress in order to get govern
mental aid in the establishment of this
undertaking will receive their hearty sup
port.