The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-06-28
WILMINGTON. N. {.
FRIDAY JUNE IS, 1907.
WILMINGTON AS A SEAPORT

TO JDOSc DuolhCS AANA VI
who are behind the movement TO Sc
cure a thirty foot channel from oui
CITY to the sea that the matter mas
been taken up by the press OF the state
and endorsed as a state measure, III
stead of being treated as a purely J 0
cal scheme for the benefit OF Whining
ton. The press Of the state has takeE
the right view of the proposed under
taking. and many articles have been
published in the papers in the central
and piedmont sections showing no"
the deepening of the lower Cape teas
would work to the advantage OF the
people of a very large portion OF the
state. On this proposed work me- har-
lotte Observer of Friday said editor
tally:
While it is a pleasure it not a sur
prise to note the enthusiastic eli
dorSement by the press OF the state OIL
the movement in behalf OF deepening
the cndnIlcl Oh liz NdpC
thirty feet from Wilmington to the
sea In the circumstances the amount
of WilmingtOn's sea-gOinG tonnage IS
astOnishingly great; with better rae
ilities they would be infinitely eniar-
ged: and cooperation tc secure inns
enlargement is a matter OF state duty
as its accomplishment would be a mat
fer If state pride. A river n har-
Dor Improvement which would admit
vessels of the deepest draught 70 the
wharves of Wilmington would make
of our chief seaport enc OIL the s1eat
cities of the south and would result
in great benefit to the commercial
interests Of the state. Upon the prop
osition in hand there can of course
be no division Of sentiment among
our people.
The Charlotte News of the same day
also contained a strong editorial en-
dorsement of the scheme as a state
measure, saying:
Wilmington is making a strong eff
fort for a ~thirtY-fOOt channel 10 the
sea. Neither is interest in his move
ment confined to that city. but IS felt
in other cities and states, for the ad-
vantage of this scheme, for making
Wilmington one of the leading sea-
port towns Of the Atlantic coast, Is OF
broad concern to the entire country.
Southern congressman will be So
licited to join in securing an appro-
priation from congress for the carry
ing out of this scheme. We trust
the effort may prove successful.
One reason North Carolina is paying
more today in freight rates than any
other state is because she has had no
frst-class seaport. Wilmington is the
logical location for such a port and
~ olo>nnl hninu aUlfafp6.
made, Wilmington would be able to
cope with such ports as Norfolk,
Charleston, etc. This would mean
untold advantage to the commercial
interests Of North Carolina, as we'll
as other states.
In fact, SO pressing is the need that
we have reached that stage where
such a port has grown to be a neces-
sitv. Success to the move. May IL
gain strength daily!
CONGRESSMAN Goodwin is entering,
heart and soul, into The work. He evi.
IDENTIFY thinks it a most important
movement looking to the betterment
of commercial and industrial condi-
lions in his entire section of the state.
If work and zeal can secure the APP
preparation he will be successful. He
has already begun the very necessary
work of getting all the congressman
from this state interested in the move
ment. In a letter of the 10th instant
to The Messenger in reference to an
editorial of the day before he request
ed that we send him enough copies
to be enclosed in letters he was pre-.
pairing to send to our two senators
and ten congressman on the subject.
In a second letter on the subject re-
ceived from him a DAY or two later he
said:
"I beg to acknowledge receipt OF
YOUR favor enclosing clippings from
YOUR paper showing the editorial
Sunday, June 9Th.
This is indeed quite an accommo'
dation to me as l desire 10 enclose
this editorial in a letter which l an
writing to the representatives IN con
gress from North Carolina.
L am glad to know that you ar
u~nceasing in your fight for our new
project. I am giving 1t some Fer1
careful thought ana / am SdllSiieu y"
will win. This will mean a great dea
for our section OF the state"
We are glad to see Mr. Goodwin sf
confident of success. We believe he
will secure the cooperation of every
congressman from this state. With
their aid. backed by the state of facts
and conditions existing in our state
which he business men from the en-