The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-08
a FACTOR OF PUBLIC PROSPERITY.
Congress at houston IAN DC
Wonderful Benefit a Region

gress Though there are other economic
rorces that are far greater and more con
stantly active, yet the influence of This
Organization upon the welfare OF the region
IL aims 20 help must be distinctly bene-
acial. The area of the Transmississppi
country is about 2700.000 square miles. II
is three times as large rs all OF the states
east OF the Mississippi. The sectional IN
terests OF a territory so vast and sparseiy
psopled would be best subserved by a CO.
operation OF states In enterprises 100 great
for separate success. A concert OF action
would also be tine most effective means OF
occurring favorable National legislation.
The Transnississippi Congress affords
an opportunity for united action In the
prosecution OF great public improvements
and in the formulation OF policies for the
benefit of the region which 1t represents.
IRRIGATION would transform thousands Oh
square miles of wild wastes into produce
tive lands. aud the creation OF deep water
narbors or the Mexican gulf would beneht
the whole Southwest and Increase the
prosperity of our merchant marine. But
the complete accomplishment OF sucn I'M
mense works transcends the power of in
dividuals. or OF single States. The aid Of
the government Is essential to success, and
the sectional CO. cooperation which alone can
secure this aid such q body as the Trans
mississippi Congress is best fitted to'efect.
But this Congress is sectional only In the
local restrictions of membership. Clearly
perceiYng that the contentious OF parties
would be fatal to its usefulness, il rigor-
ously excludes from its deliberations the
discussion of political questions, and seeks
only to increase the material wealth OF
che West Mississippi country.
~
The resources OF the vast tract are al
most ilimitable. The total value of It's
farms. live stock and railroads, and OF
It's annual product Of cereals. minerals and
manufactures Is approximately S1l.S5O.0 00,-
COO. The protection OF these great Indus
tries and the development OF the riches
which nature has lavished upon this region
are the motives which organized the
Transmississippl Congress. Great themes
invite consideration. The magnitude Of
the interests challenges the best thoughts
Of practical statesmanshlp Besides the
topics which have been already mentioned,
cuntecturaly deepwater Mississippi as
d means Of cheap transportation and az a
regulator OF railroad fregbts, the nhu
ence of our forests upon agriculture and
river navigation. the need of technical edu-
CO ton and an improved consular system to
reduce the cost of manufactures and eS-
tend our foreign trade, the culture OF
wealth, the necessity OF an immediate
construction of the Nicaragua canal. and
the st. Louis exposition of 1903 as a world
wide advertisement OF the progress and re-
sources Of the Transmisslssippi country
VIII engage the attention OF the conven-
rion at Houston
The Fabian policy Of inaction has thus
far prevented the construction Of III
Nicaragua canal The appointment OF sue
81 tn-
route Is merely a pretext for delay. The
frequent postponements OF work so es-
sential to the naval defense and CONNER
cial prosperity of the United States are
not creditable to the enterprise or sagacity
Of American statesmen While the benents
Of this waterway would be National, no
section Of the United States, with the pos
sible exception OF the Pacific coast, would
derive greater benefits from its completion
than the southwest portion of the Missis-
sippi Valley. a further neglect OF inter
ests so momentous would he a reproach to
the Intelligence of our 6ouutrymen. The
early construction of trans isthmian ship
Grey should receive the unanimous and
emphatic endorsement of the Houston Con-
gress. Indeed the commercial Importance
of this work would Justify an urgent de-
mand for immediate action.
~
The rapid development OF the Transmits
sissippi country is without parallel in
human history. Over the early wilderness
of 100000 square miles are now scattered
the homes of 900 OF intelligent free
men. The inhabitants are the selt-made
benefcaries of high and prosperous civ
ilization In 1903 a Worlds fair, held at
st. Louis. will commemorate the marve-
lous progress which the people OF the
Louisiana purchase have made during the
last century. Historic evidence clearly
proves that Texas was included in this
purchase, and is entitled to whatever priv
ileges this fact may confer But this con-
tention is not important for virtually the
st. Louis exposition will represent the
growth, resources and civilization of the
whole Transmississippi country. 1t is
hoped that all the States and Territories
west OF the Father OF Waters. moved by
the hearty approval of the Houston Con
gress, will send to st. Louis In 1908 ex-
hihits worthy OF their own greatness and
OF the momentous event which the fair will
celebrate.
BY its support OF great public improve.
ments and wise industrial policies, the
Houston convention can render valuable
service to the economic interests of the
territory which it represents.
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