The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-24

4
Il was the Oriental poet. Omar Kiam. who
said. "A hair divides the false from the
true" In some instances this may bc
true. but in this case the division is as
broad as the old Chinese wall,
| | do not know that am Ia position 10
make any suggestions OF practical value:
however, since shall not be able TO at
tend your convention ] shall indulge In
one or two suggestions.
! |. That by circular, either through
committee or your secretary. supported
by clerical assistance, YOU put yourself
! In communication on this subject. making
known your wants. with as many members
OF the legislature as you can, and especial
ly those from the lower country,
2. That you select a strong committee
OF not less than five, and perhaps seven,
upon which there shall be at least two
good lawyers. 10 consider and draft such
laws or amendments as the wisdom OF the
convention may direct And last. that
you provide another strong committee with
liberal sprinlling from the good citizens
LOT Houston who have been exceedingly
successful In the past. the duty of which
committee shall be TO wait upon the hon
orabie legislature and aid in the passage
OF the Law.
The following communication was read
from MIR Presley X. Ewing;
Mr.. G. j. Palmer. Chairman. care OF The
| Houston Post City,
Houston. Texas January 16.-Dear sir:
! Yours nth instant reached me in due
course but pressure of business engage
ments has DELAYED reply until now. Tho
two prime considerations in framing drain
age legislation are, hrst. q law that shall
be just to all concerned, and, second. "a
Law that shall withstand constitutional
attack. To tax the public generally for
special benefit to particular lands re-
claimed by drainage would be unjust n
the public, II the public generally derives
benefit from the improvement beyond the
local benefit. tho cost might properly, 10
so far. be betrayed out Of the public purse.
4 law. in the present state of the authori-
ties could be deemed safe from q oonstl-
tutional standpoint, IL imposing local bur
den for local benefit, only in the event It
made proper provision for approximately
limiting the local burden to the local
benefit. Ii seems to me, in devising a
drainage system, the law should provide
for establishment of drainage districts. for
ascertainment OF the quantum OF benefit
10 the district from the Improvement, for
apportionment OF the total amount OF
benefit TO the district among tho owners
Of the lands therein, according 10 the
standard of benefits and for entertainment
of these facts by commissioners after due
notice and hearing. The law should fur
Their provide. in my judgment that tho
cost Of the work should be paid for by the
county. but that the county should be re-
imbursed by the specially benefited prop
erty owners TO The extent aud in the man
ner above suggested making the cost so
chargeahle "A lien upon The specially benc-
flied property, enc. etc The above IN
very general way. reflects my idea OF ne
sort OF drainage Legislation that would
propaby be must effective in securing the
cnn i'm view NnurR very truly.
Presley X Ewing
,'oione ;losson moved that the chair ap-
point two committees, one on legislation.
the other on resolutions, Carried,
The chair appointed on these com
mittees
Legislation--J S. Wheless Galveston
w r. Sosson. Houston; A. j. Birchheld,
Alvin: J. Il. Holloway, ri Campo; A. u.
Rust. Rock Island.
Resolutions Tom Richardson. Houston,
r. j. Willis. Alvin, S. II West Deer
Park; w A. Robinson, Missouri City.
George l.. Porter, Houston.
On motion the convention adjourned til
2 p. IN, accepting an invitation 10 visit
the Cotton Exchange during the recess
Afternoon Session.
Tn TedsseulDllus III iuN olNei NUN - hH
per upon the subject Of drainage was read
from MIR. All II. II, Tolar OF Alvin
a letter was read from Congressman S.
r. Cooper expressing deep interest in
the work of the convention and regrets
1T his inability to be present
Mr. s. b. strong read letter from
General Harrison, the good roads advocate,
in which ne gave some valuable sugges-
lions in reference TO drainage, He OPP
posed the system OF oyerground drainage
by bitches favoring instead underground
tile drainage, He did not regard sur
face drainage as healthy when compared
with underground drainage. General Har-
rson's letter applied chiefly TO road drain
age, but he suggested that If the conveu-
ton so decided he would prepare more
exhaustive paper upon the subject of
| general land drainage 10 be published
along with the proceedings of the con-
vention.
on motion OF Mr. Wheless the thanks of
the convention were rendered General
Harrison with the suggestion that the
secretary request General Harrison for the
more detailed paper promised by MIN.
Colonel slosson suggested that In the
matter of amending the constitution for
drainage purposes It might be 10 donr
that The amendment might be made In the
nature Of a local option provision appltca-
bic simply to that section OF the state 40
string to be benefited by the proposed
amendment.
Major Peck was called upon for a speech
but he gracefully transferred the honor
to Major E. W. Cave. who said he could
not deliver the speech that Major Peek
had prepared for the occasion, as the ma
jor had his speech in his pocket all pre-
pared on the typewriter Major Cave
> said he had been an advocate Of good
roads for years and believed that tnsy
were essential 10 advanced civilization and
the great essential TO good roads was good
drainage In this coast country while We
have the finest soil ia the world we musl
) get the water on Of II in order 70 maA7
IL more productive, We must mobilize
{ our forces, however. in order to aeeoA-
t pflsh results. Harris county colletcs 4
road and bridge tax OF from $4,000 to $40,
: 600 per year, but this amount IL not ado
quate to meet the requirements. He did
Y not believe In the dribiet system Of doing
work What might be done with the await
able money In one year would not be sur
, ficient TO accomplish anything and when
: the work was left OFF short Of completion