The Daily Texarkanian. [volume] (Texarkana, Ark.) 1894-1906, 1900-01-03
TO NAVIGATE RED RIVER.
Letter From Congressman Sheppard
His Bill Before Congress.


Fourth Congressional District, who
has introduced a bill in Congress to
aid the movement for Red River
AT the time introduced this
bill l did not know that the people
alsng the Red river valley had al
ready been awakened to the impor-
lance of making Rem River uaviga-
bic, and did not know at what point
on Red River it would be most de-
sirable 20 begin navigation, thence
toward Denison. Since reading the
resolution you mailed me | see that
Fulton, Ark, is the desirable point
aud will amend my bill so as to con-
form to the idea therein expressed.
AS requested by you, enclose .
copy of the bill herein as originally
introduced by me.
THE convention VII ch is to con-
vene at Paris on Jan Is will be
composed of business meu who are
vitality intereste | in this measure,
aud l shall look to them for instruc-
lions and full information in the
premises.
1T should be borne in mind that
it will take time and great deal OF
hard work to secure navigation of
Red River frsm Fulton to Denison.
l want the aid of the people along
the Red River valley, without pref
erence to the political faith. This
is Republican Congress, and we
have a great many Republicans in
terested in this matter who can
reader valuable service in procur-
ing the final passage of bill. What
we want is not so much speechmak-
ing, but results. Speeches are all
right, and are Sften necessary, but
when we get through speaking we
do not want to quit work.
81 hope that when our people or
Eanize at Paris on the 10th that
they will keep up their organization
not for three OF six months, but un
til success shall reward our efforts.
We can succeed if we can make
Congress see the justice of eur
cause, and it will take the united
efforts of the people and the press
to accomplish this.
ut is my opion that the first
thing to do is to secure sufficient
appropriation to have the proper
surveys made, and to determine the
desir ability of the improvements,
together with the most desirable
depth and commercial interests to
be conserved, which you will See
from the reading of my bill. l am
trying to make the personal &C
quaintAnce of every member of
Congress, with the view of having
them to vote with US ON the FINAL
passage of this bill.
Il shall watch the result of the
convention at Paris with a great
deal of interest. beg to remain,
your sbedient servant,
JOHN L. SHEPPARD"
Following is copy Of the bill in
tronuced BY Representative Shep.
pard:
Be it enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Con-
gress assembled: That the Secre-
tary of War be authorized and di
rected to make an examination and
survey for the improvement of the
Red River, in the States OF Louisi
ana, Arkansas and Texas, from the
city of Shreveport, in said State of
Louisiana, to the city Of Denison, in
the said State of Texas; also to
make an examination and survey
for the improvement of the Sui
phur River from its mouth in Red
River, to point lie Texas where the
Texas and Pacific railroad crosses
Sulphur River, said point known as
Sulphur Station, in the State of
Texas, with an estimate of the cost
of procuring a navigable depth OF
four, five and six feet, respectfully,
in said rivers by the removal of all
distractions now txisting
Sec. z. That should it appear
that a system of locks and dams is
the best method of improving said
river, that the cost and location
thereof be reported, and where the
first of said locks and dams should
be located.
Sec. 3. That said report shah
specify the cost and desirr bility OF
the improvement Of said rivers, to-
gether with the most desirable
depth, cost and commercial inter
ests considered,