The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-12-07

sugar crop OF tho lower Brazos counties
with other crops, forage, grain, farm
equipment, live stock and improvements
leaving IN the place OF an expected houn'
tcous harvest a scene OF dCsolation, dark.
cncd and unsightly, by the mlnyum ana
debtig Gust upon lt by the waters Adtrd
to this was tho vust loss OF public I'M
proyemonts and railway trackngc, with at,
tcndnnt loss resulting IN the aioppagc nnd
delay H. transportation movement Ihe
loss resulting from this overflow was wide.
spread IN It's effect The merchants ana
bankers ~ thtsc counties aud OF the CON
mcrCinl marts uf tine Stlte, connected WIN
their trade, shared u ilem to large fN
tent Following this Hood came me rise
OF last year attendant with partial loss
und Increasing doubt ana dpsppnlehcy
along the whole line Of former oYeflows
Has not tho time come when the states
manshlp OF Texas must determine whether
this grent and fruitful region is TO be 'eIt
the prey OF the returning waters or de-
rend nlone upon the efforts Of the people
Of these counties to avert renewed Gallant
tics4 These counties embrace large share
NJ the taxable wealth OF the Stale, about
Ss5WO,OOO The hope still existing IN hpllN
OF misfortune Inns thus far materially aNs-
tanned taxable values but n no assurance
Of futUrC relief Is promised th"he hlal u'-
cline and no system Of assessments can
maintain them This organization uttcAts
the public spirit OF these people amld as
mi ana determined communities
Must TcNns IA the continuation Of
helpless policy. leave this productive region
which has contributed so much 10 our pros
prrity To- fatoful struggle with the re-
moraeless Natrrs3 Sound public policy for
bids such idea u may be said that the
state has no power IN the premises or u
las no especial Interest In common WIN
the people % these counties TO iusiify me
exercise OF extraordinary power Ihe
penteutUry convict plantation investments
Of the State on the lower Brazos give u
q unity Of interest whit them at least 10
/ the extent that the State plantations nre
subject 10 overflow or are anecteh ny ~
besides the state relies upon the hiring OF
/ It's Surplus conycts. which otherwise would
! be heavy burden upon the state revenues
/ for the cost OF their maintenance II u
/ lacks the power 20 extend reasonable AID %
I the efforts OF these counties, I believe the
policy OF Texas stand ready 70 grant H.
II the counties are powerless 10 provide
means for their protection and the legls
lnfurc cnn not authorize them TO do IT,
believe that tho people Of Texas viii confer
such authority upon the Legislature when
the question is submitted 70 them
The founders OF the Republic ANA th'
State, the men who inagurated our stat,
government, believed the state had and
should exercise the power 70 Improve lll
water courses. and remove the oDHtructioh'
In the pathway Of their currents. Amnnl
the measures adopted by the state IN tn'
time OF progress. was the appropriation II
1856 Of s3oo.oo0 in MD Of tho Improvement
Of the navigablc rivers, bayous lakes anl
bavs Of Texas. Grants or land were als'
made IN aid ~ navigation Improvement
Since this work was done on our rivers
under this appropriation, they have mainly
heen left the receptacle Of the waste anf
decay OF the denuded forests along ahd
near them and their tributaries The gov
eminent Of the United states has now IN
dertnkon the work ~ navigation Improve
men inauauratcd nv the wisdom Of the mer
II the first constitution The state. re
iieved OF this vnst OUTLAY. can well afforC
10 MD and foster the efforts or the people
OF the Brazos river counties 20 avert re
newed disasters.
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