The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-08
Good Common sense.
o Edifor ~ The Post


Houston. Texas. May s.--since the pro-
posed advent OF the Southern Pacific rail-
road ipto Galveston II is now more i'm
portant than ever for Houston to push the
Buffalo bayou ship canal, by far the most
important enterprise to Houston and
twenty million OF people vitality inter-
ested in ample facilities on the Texas gull
coast to handle from rail to ship and from
ship TO rail the enormous business seeking
an outlet in this direction than any sim
liar enterprise yet undertaken by the
United States government
The Buffalo canal will offer ample.
cheap. lasting and permanent facilities
for the quick handling of all the business
that all OF the fifteen railroads centering
here can ever offer This water way has
the Endorsement OF the United States
government based on the most favorable
report OF an able corps OF engineers APP
pointed by the government to make the
survey and report on the cost and i'm
portance OF the work ever published This
canal, when completed. will offer superior
advantages as deep water, safe land
locked -harbor not 70 be found elsewhere
on the South Atlantic and gulf coast.
Ships win Come to the head of navigation
fifty miles nearer the people where the
railroads already are and where miles OF
wharf room in a safe sheltered harbor in
vlte then to discharge and load cargoes in
any sort OF weather cabled to the wharf
without anchorage with their bottoms in
fresh water they will be safe. where pure
artesian water can be had for steam and
drinking purposes and all the advantages
Ct traffic with the main land can be en-
joyed at minimum cost
It is also important to the United States
government and worth the cost Of els
canal to provide place in san Jacinto bay,
on this canal where dry docks and a coal
ing station can be had far enough from the
sea to be safe from the warships OF the
enemy in time Of war, 1t has been stated
by prominent United States engineer
that no place has yet been found ON the
entire gulf coast suitable for this purpose
and that San Jacinto bay. with this canal
completed will offer several ideal sites
for such government works.
Our neighbors on the Pirate Isle" are
doing all they can to make Galveston a
great seaport Their energy and pluck
is commendable but they never will sue
coed. The sand bar is too low and the
winds and storms driving the water over
the island and far out over the adjacent
swamps on the main land viii prevent il.
The elements are against them. The
ships nor the people will never feel safe
down there when they can ind safer and
better harboT so near by and nearer the
shippers and consumers. The people Of
Houston generally ase pleased at the ef-
forts Of Galveston In endeavoring to turn
the business OF the great West in this
direction. When It comes in full volume
Houston. with her ship canal and fifteen
railroads, will get the bulk Of it, Both
cities Will grow, no doubt but when Gal
weston has population of 100000. Hous-
ton Will have quarter of million.
Now, citizens and property owners OF
Houston, the truth OF this prediction de-
ponds on you and the extent of your en-
terprise and public spirit. Put your hands
IN your pockets and aid and encourage in
every way the completion of this great
water way to your town. Stop croaking
and talking blue, Take some of the great
volume of money lying idle in your banks
and invest it in manufacturing and other
paying properties which will increase pop
ulation and confidence In your natural.
great city. The time has come to act and
work Build the canal, it is vital, It will
pay big dividends. Geo. L. Porter.