The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-02
HOUSTON AND DEEP WATER.
B. News from Washington


\ hUOut OOatobO
+ To the Editor Of The Post.
Washington, November 2e.-During the
trip from Houston here had an opportun-
ity TO observe the lands and soils through
ave States and the evidences OF thrift OF
non thrift. depending almost entirely upon
the richness OF soil, more than ever I'M
pressed me with the advantages offered
in the coast country" and why Texas IS
the "out West" for all the other Southern
States as we'll as OF the Northwest. For
nifty miles east and north from New Or
leans is a succession of lakes, ponds and
swamps, and as the conductor on the
Baltimore and Ohio told me has no value
except for fishing and hunting"
Talk OF fiat country that needs drain
agel The section between Houston and
Galveston is undulating. billy and almost
mountainous in comparison. And then
the soil of Fort Bend, Harris or Liberty
counties. with twelve inches to six feet
OF dark or black rich soil compared with
at least 1000 miles on the Southern rail
way, where no actual soil can be seen.
only red or yellow clay that requires
each year $3.50 to $3.50 of fertilizer on
each acre to produce one-fourth to one
half bale of cotton or corn stalks three
and half to four feet high, raising only
nubbins. They have some valleys made
rich by long continued fertilizing that
produce well and there are evidences of
wealth and prosperity, but these lands
with the improvements are worth from
$50 to 500 an acre and no better soil than
can be purchased today near Houston for
from 81 to SIS an acre. 1t would pay some
OF our coast country settlers to make such
a trip and make the personal comparison.
1t would make of them contented, salts
fed citizens for all time.
~
At Washington there are now gather
ing the members of the senate and house
OF the third house, The long session
of congress is to commence its labors
next Monday, with more subjects to leg
islate upon than ever before presented to
an American congress. General Henderson,
the next speaker, is on the ground calmly
surveying the situation as he undoubtedly
did from his Iowa home and probably has
his committees made up or nearly so. He
passed through no campaign for election
to that honorable position, has no pledges
to carry out, friends to reward or enemies
to punish. indeed IL is said he hardly has
an enemy in Washington.
OF course il is moi known positively but
the general impression prevails that Con-
gresham Cooper of Wisconsin will be
made chairman of the rivers and harbors
committee of the house. There is hardly
question but our own congressman. Hon
Thomas II. Ball, will be retained on that
important committee and that very few
IL any of the democratic members will be
disturbed Mr. Ball is early on the
ground, an earnest, active, intelligent
worker for his constituents as ever had
scat in the house of representatives.
have met him several times in the two
days | have been here and he is sanguine
that Houston will not be disappointed in
having her reasonable expectations realiz-
cd ny the present congress.
Mr.. Rail- assured rae today that the work
done BY the Houston Newcomers ass1-
ciation' last year was doing great COOL
and he was alriost daily receiving calls
from members of congress from Northern