The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-10-02
As to Houston,s ship Channel.

10 the Editor OF The Post.
saltillo. Mexico, September 23,-The
New York Herald publishes proposition
OF Colonel Robert, U. S, e., as to the re-
building OF Galveston and suggests a sea
wall on the beach from ten to twelve
feet high, extending down the island for
ten miles, thence to the end of the is
land wall three feet high, the main wall
to cost one and one-half millions OF dollars
per mile. in all s15,0O0,OOo. Su h a sea
wall on the Galveston beach as suggested
by Colonel Robert would receive the en-
tire shock of tidal waves, which are so
frightful in Their consequence at the sur
face of the sea. He makes no estimate
of the cost of earth or sand backing for
his proposed wall. Breakwaters put down
in thirty or forty feet of water are safe,
that is TO say, the main structure, the
top only, is endangered. 1t is very clear
that none of the islands or land on the
ma ntand that is not at least twelve feat
above the level of the sea can ever be
utilized as a landing place for the vast
commerce that seeks the sea via the
Gulf of Mexico.
Just why Galveston should be rebu 1t
except by those locally interested, is MT
apparent. Galveston island is but fringe
of qu.cksand only few feet above sea
level In view of the object lessons OF
West India hurricanes since 1887. to COZ
tnue to imperil the lives on Gal Weston
sand of unthinkiug people and risk o.
vast property values is unwise if MT
criminal.
II there was no other way to reach the
ma inland for the imports and expo Is
that come and go into Galveston bay
there might be some plea for Coloael
Roberts very expensive suggestion.
To prevent lJss OF life and property
in the future, a landing must be made
for ships at some point on the mainland
at least twelve feet above possible t,dal
waves. To my mind Buffalo bayou is
uhe only available point; the city OF Iious-
ton is and always will be the bus nsss
center OF commerce that enters Galvs s.
ton bay.
The deepening of the ship channel
through Galveston bay and Buffalo bayou
soft mud sand and alluv al soil are the
only distractions. Modern powerful dredg1
boats would soon complete a ship chan
mel OF twenty-five feet deep up to a poigt
on Buffalo bayou at least twelve f. ct
above sea level when we consider
ship channel has recently been cut fon
Liverpool to Manchester, eighty miles,
mainly through solid rock at a cost OF
millions. The work to be done from
Galveston hay to the mainland is com
paratively an insignificant affair. as com
pared with Colonel Roberts suggestion of
a sea wall and no plan to keep out the
inundation from the bay front?
Inc funds required to cut this shin
channel will be raised by a private COM
pany who will issue and per cent
ponds sufficient in amount to do the wo K
and collecting tolls; the credit of the gov
eminent VIII be required to guaran ee
tne intent OF such bonds for term say
OF thirty years, and thus throw the bur-
lhen OF cost upon the next generation
Tor a work of such value to them. 1t
Is my judgment the Nicaragua canal
should be financed In the same way and
check the spirit of Imperialism that /;
abroad and not add to the patronage Of
the executive branch OF the government
! winch is already a serious menace to
the stability of the general government
The ownership Of railroads, canals and
pther public utilities should remain in
the hands of and in control of the private
citlzen, and thus check the part of pa-
ternalism that is abroad and make no new
place to be filled by partisan of the
president of the United States. Respect-
fully, ,Iohn what