Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-05-29

largest vote against the
bonds was at Los Fresnos
where at six o'clock it was
reported 165 had voted
against the bonds and 81 for
them.
Other precincts showed
only one and sometimes two
or three against issuing the
bonds.
In Brownsville a larger
vote was cast than in the last
exciting mayorality election.
Never in the history Of this city,
according 70 old timers. has there's
been such whoIe-hearted, eager
support OF any project.
Indications were EN- returns came
rolling In that "a record majority
would be set not only for "a bond
election in Brownsville but in the
entire Valley.
One precinct did not cast a vote
either way. It was Las Yescas,
where a five-inch rain was said TO
have made 1t impossible to reach
the polling place.
Muddy roads leading to other
country precincts cut down the
vote. The vote at these polls was
remarkable. however. considering
the hardships the voters had TO un-
dergo.
The passage OF the 81 500. 900 bond
issue today rang the gong On the,
port fight which has been raging
with varied intensity for more than
Is years in the Lower Rio Grande
Valley.
The necessity for a port for the
Valley has been recognized for a
quarter or a century. Before that
time. the Rio Grande river was
navigable TO Brownsville and an
far as Rio Grande City. and tho
dredging OF a channel was un-
necessary. In addition, the pass at
Point Isabel was deep enough for
the passage o. boats Of large tom
mage. and regular traffic between
Point Isabel and Galveston, New
Orleans. and other points was
commonplace.
Extensive irrigation along the
banks or the Rio Grande caused
the river to become shallower. This
brought the cessation Of river traf-
fic, and spelled the doom OF
Brownsville as an inland port.
Natives at that time realized
that unless Brownsville had All
outlet to the gulf. ID would b9
materially handicapped. However,
Point Isabel continued to be "a sea-
port until years later. and no hard
ship was encountered until the
pass began to fill. About that time
the railroad came 90 the Valley.
and freight that originally floated
into this section. began to roll into
it.
With the river shallow. and thu
pass at FSint Isabel impossible far
sighted citizens here began to see
forcibly the necessity for IA port The
fight began 81 with public spirited
citizens asking for IA port at Point
Isabel. The more ambitious wanted
"A channel dredged 10 the Valleys.
metropolis. and claimed that such
a project was feasible because Of the
low land and marshes between the
city and the pass. An engineer waa
retained. and made q survey. His
blueprints and suggestions were al
most identical with those which are
10 be- followed now that the Browns
vile navigation district has voted
$3,5 900 for the purpose
One OF the most industrious oH
the original workers for the port was
Dave OBrien, for years owner OF thG
old Point Isabel railway. Through
his untiring efforts, the port was
almost successful years ago. Another
moving force was Commodore Lous
Cobolini. recently deceased, who has
been dubbed "Dady OF the Port"
"A complete list Of those connected
with the fight for a port is impOS-
sible To compile and name in en- brief
account OF the movement.
In recent years. the fight was re-
newed. The returns OF the election
today assured its successful tefmis
nation. In this last fight, Cong
reSsman John Garner was a NOV.
ing force. Others who we're vitality
interested and in the thick or the
fight are those whose interviews
appear In another portion or this
extra.