The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-18
THE sOTTii;s CLAIMS.

l IfttN SVlIIS
| The Atlanta Journal very properly places
the demand by Southern communities, for
more generous appropriations by congrcsf
| for the Improvement OF Southern harbors
| and ship channels. ON the broad ground OF
a claim of right. The South Is entitled TO
this consideration at the hands OF the gen.
eral government, both by reason OF the Ma
tional Importance of the work to be done
and as just return TO us OF a portion OF
tho largo contributions which the South
makes annually to the support OF the gov
ernmcnt ~
The first OF these reasons, only, is urged
by the Journal, but the second Is equally
strong basis for asking recognition Of the
business of Southern demands in the premd-
SOS. Among other things our Atlanta cou-
temporary remarks:
TIE Journal has been persistent In urging
npoG It's nclghbors-~cspccDlly in Alabama,
Louisiana and Missssippi--thc necessity for
prompt and united action upon the question
OF large and continuous appropriations for
tho gulf ports and for thfr feeder rivers.
We have urged upon our Georgia congress-
men the patent and important fact that this
question IL In no sense n local one; that 1t
i directly National one In all It's bearings.
We have tried to impress upon the rivers
and hHrbors committee the truth that the
greater the appropriation for any one year
tlta creator tho ratio of result, as well as OF
per'Innence. attained by It's expenditure un-
der ekillcd engineers,
II seems that the time for action Is near Mt
hand, and we again urge upon our Georgia
representatives that the trouble and influence
they expend upon the increase of river and
harboi appropriation this session the greater
vii! be the good result to their own constitu.
M slfhn dc tr.r A..f r.A 10. L., nail
true OF every State In this section and in the
Wet. which grows, makes or handles any
tiiine whatever for shipment abroad. or Inn
port from the Central or South American
ports.
Only in an indirect way does the Journal
include the Texas ports and waterways
among the objects worthy OF government
assistance. but it's generalizations compre-
bend all Southern and Western claims In
the direction Indicated. Tho paramount i'm
portance of the Buffalo bayou Improvement
the Journal Will DO ready to admit. of
ignorant OF Houston's envlablc position In
the commercial and possible export field of
the South.
The chief point to remember, and IL
should be pressed upon congress, is that
what the Southern communities ask they
expect as n mattr OF right and Justice
they do not go before the rivers and harbors
committee as beggars who have become q
charge upon the Nation, but MS partners
demanding some return on the capital they
have furnished to run the government and
build up the country's commerce. The
South annually contributes some S35.000.-
600 of the internal revenues OF the govern
ment aud has paid more than It's share o!
the tariff duties. because less u manufac-
turing section than the North and East.
over sl0o00o,o00 OF the total receipts an
| nually OF the government must be credited
to the South, and certainly We have not
been getting our Just proportion OF what
proyements ut National expense. The
driblet system OF appropriations. with one
or two exceptions, which has prevailed In
making allowances for Southern river aud
harbor work, has accomplished but little
and the demand now for substantial and
| adequate assistance is based on good reason
as well as Justice.
NIB the Atlanta journal lnlhacS the cN-
pcnditures asked for the Improvement O
southern ports and waterways may he re-
garded as an Investment in tho interest OF
National commerce. and not a mere con
| tribmtion without hope of returns to the
government To increase our foreign trade
means TO increase our revenues. 80 that
| the greater the appropriations for any one
year. the greater the ratio and permanenoe
of results
Southern congressman and Southern dele
cations should not hesitate to press their
| claims and, as unit, should insist that u
| fair proportion OF tho annual revenues We
pay into the treasury should be expended
in furthering the commercial facilities OF
| the Gulf and Western States.
/