San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-25
A ROUSING CONVENTION
THE 8. A. P. RAILWAY IMMIGRA-
TIoN ASSOCIATION MEETS.
Earnest Work Begins in Way of Speeches,
Resolutions, Free Ride, Etc, Etc
Resolutions Adopted.

Beeville, Texas, Feb. 25.-Special.-
At 10 O'Clock yesterday morning the
convention was called to order by the
chairman, Mr.. Charles Peterson. of
Rock Island, Texas. The following
Executive members were present:
ChaS. Peterson, chairman: NJ. G. Ran
ney of YOakum, secretary; f. Il. Cole
of Corpus Christi, J. ID. Scrivner, of
ROckport, j. w. Willacy, of Portland,
II. J. Skaggs, OF Beeville. C. |. Swan
and o. NJ. Peterson, of Normanna. Geo.
+. Lupton, of San Antonio, and Col
Cyrus Thompson. of Lockhart.
Mr. Sid Howard delivered the adj
dress of welcome which was respond
ed to by \. ]. Bell, of Karnes county,
Secretary Ranny then addressed the
convention upon the object and
| aims of the association. Mr. Chas.
Peterson spoke on the subject of inn
migration and how to obtain it. Mr..
Swan followed with Il stirring speech
on the influx of immigration and the
vast undeveloped field awaiting them
in Southwest Texas. This closed the
morning session.
In the afternoon the convention was
called to order and Mr.. Geo. +. Lup>
ton. assistant general passenger agent
Of the S. A. & A. T. Ry.. spoke of what
the road has done and is doing to en-
courage immigration. Speeches were
also made by w. NJ. Burke. Il visitor
from the north, and a recent investor
in Southwest Texas, on the great pos
/ SibilitieS and future of Southwest
Texas; L. b. Cole on the Corpus Chris
ii and coast region; Capt. Jack Elgin,
a visitor on the possibilities of the
RockpOrt region and North Texas i'm
migration for Southern and Southwest
Texas; Cyrus Thompson on the good
of the order; Capt. Il. n. Hall. visi-
tor, on the importance of subdividing
large bodies of land in Southwest Tex
as, for actual settlers. Short address
Ses were also made by MesSrS. j.
NJ. Boyd, of Goliad, Il. Kinsell, of Port
Lavaca and other visitors and local
citizens. Col. Wheat, visitor, by
request of the convention. introduced
the following resolution:
Whereas. the San Antonio and Aran-
sas Pass Railway immigration assO-
citation is engaged in an earnest en-
deavOr to settle up the unOcCupied
ligent and frugal people from the less
favored portions of our common cOun-
try to come and occupy them; and
whereas. to accomplish this. among
other things, it is necessary that all
the conditions present and probable
touching the climate, soil and prOduc-
tons of both land and water, be made |
known in a true and attractive manner |
to those whom we wish to influence;
and Whereas all of our many resources |
and advantages are in evidence TO all |
who will come and see them; and |
whereas, among other great and good |
things in store not alone for immediate |
section, but for all the cotton raising |
area of the whole state, is a new and |
increasing market in Japan for our |
cotton crop; and whereas, the present |
long railway haul of cotton TO San
Francisco for export to Japan is a
heavy tax on the Texas cotton grower
now therefore,
Resolved, that the association here
by respectfully petition the Legisla-
ture of the state to instruct our Sena-
tors and request our representatives
in Congress soon to assemble to sup
port and encourage the construction
of q proper canal which shall join the
waters of the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, believing, that with such canal,
the deepwater ports of the Texas
coast will thereby become commercial
" available for all the ships of the
globe. and the cotton growers of the
state be correspondingly benefited.
Resolved, that Hon. A. j. Bell, a
member of the convention and also of
the House OF Representatives of the
State of Texas, be and is hereby re-
1uested TO endeavor to secure such
action on the part of the Legislature
as herein indicated, or in other suita-
bic manner which may aid or encour-
age the construction of some canal
Joining the waters of the two oceans
aforesaid.
At ) o'clock the convention adjourn
I'd to accept the Inequalities of the
.ity in q free drive and sight seeing.
At p. m. the association met in the {
larlOrs of the Queen hotel to transact
,ome business for the promotion of the {
objects Of the order.