The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-28
ISLAND CITY NEWS ITEMS.
Matter Of Extcudiua Jctties or Of
Keeping Drcdae at Work.
QUESTION MEANS MUCH TO THE PORT
A Record of the Lcgcl Executions
Witch Have Taken Place ON the
lsinnd--Danss9 Suits Eiicsl.

Galveston, Texas, January 27.--lt became
known on the streets here this morning
that the matter OF extending the south
jetty will be taken up In Washington either
today or tomorrow. This Ia a most serious
matter to Galveston and Lieutenant G. s.
Richie. United States engineers, was seen
and asked to either confirm or deny the ru-
niors which are going the rounds. Lieuten-
ant Richie, With his usual courtesy. said he
was always willing to give tho newspapers
and the public any Information not In con-
flict with the rules of the department, but
as tho matter In question is one to be de-
cided at Washington. he would be COM
PEELED to decline to discuss II one way or
the other.
The rumor then must be given as a ra-
NOR, or not at all. But 1t is OF such vital
Importance to the port as to Justify its pub
LEGATION.
1t seems that under their contract With
the government Messrs. o'Connor 4 Smoot
claim tho right TO extend the south jety
between 400 and GOO feet. 10 do this Will
practically absorb all the remaining appro-
priation uvaiiapic here, It the extenAlon is
to BIC made. the remaining FUNDS VIII nave
to be practically pedged 10 the pay OF the
contractors, and che uredga soat Comstock
will have 10 be laid up unless an eiier-
gency appropriation can be obtained 70
keep her III commission. Under tho pres
ent temper OF congress, With a large ueiioit
staring 1T In the race and economy and re-
trenchment being the slogan of the house.
that such an appropriation could DO had
seems highly improbable.
1t is AN accepted fact that tho dredge has
,<a ft.t1, nod lnAGf n Inp N
of the channel. In other words, the chan
mel is two feet deeper than II would have
been had no dredging been done. During
the winter season. when northers and heavy
gales are TO be reasonably expected, II
might be snfe to lay mp the dredge and
trust to nature and tho jc,ties to keep tho
channel at It's present depth But with tho
coming summer, with it's absence OF high
Winds and strong tides, II is highly prob
able that the deposit OF silt in the channel
ON it's way TO the sea would materially re-
duce the depth Of water TO be found there.
This is a contingency To be avoided ut
any cost. The grounding of one ship be-
tween the jettios here would be taken up by
Galveston's rivals and heralded throughout
the length and breadth of the shipping
world greatly to the detrlment OF the port
and Its progress.
While II Is possible TINT the jettios un-
aided may furnish NIL the water necessary
IL Is cminently unwise to take any chances
of the channel shoaling
Another point for serious consideration
In connection with this matter Is tho dredge
boat Comstock itself The boat has been
in almost constant use for nearly two
years. and IL In need Of extensive repairs.
Her hull will have to be strengthened and
braced, her copper and much Of her plank
ing replaced, These repairs, which are alb
solu,ely necessary II the boat Is TO be kept
in nn efficient condition, Will cost between
900 and 100000. Now is the best time
10 make them, as the absence OF the dredge
will not be such a menace to the channel
as would DO her withdrawal during the
summer
The question Of the right OF the con-
tractors to proceed with their work appears
TO be one of law and the decision OF the de- |
partment in the matter Will be awaited
with the greatest possible interest