being raised to correspond to the height of the wall itself.

The wall was completed two years ago. About three and one-half miles of it were built by the county of Galveston at a cost of a million and a half dollars, and the other mile by the United States Government at a cost of about three-quarters of a million dollars. The legislature authorized the issuance by the county of four per cent. bonds for the needful amount, nearly all of which were subscribed for at par by the citizens of Galveston at a time when the credit of the city and county were both nil. Before the sea wall was completed the bonds were being bought in all the markets of the world at par.

So it was with the city bonds. Prior to the reorganization of the city government these were as low as 60 per cent. and 65 per cent. They are now being sold at a premium, 102 to 103 being the lowest prices.

When the wall was completed the necessity for the raising of the grade of the city was more than ever apparent. With keen foresight the leaders,-banded together as the Deep-Water Committeehad already prepared the way fully and completely. Section 68 of the new charter of 1903 conferred upon the Board of Commissioners the power to appoint a board of engineers, and they were empowered to issue five-per cent. bonds for two million dollars, payable not more than fifty years after their date, to be sold at not less than par, the proceeds of which were to be used and expended for raising and filling the grades of the city.

When this question of raising the grade of the city was being considered, those who were giving it their especial attention soon found that various difficulties of a legal nature as well as the tremendous expense and great inconvenience it would

be to the people of the city, stood in their way. The constitution of the state provides that money once paid into the state treasury cannot be paid out except for a special appropriation made by law and the legislature has no authority to make an appropiration for a longer term than two years. This instrument also prohibits the legislature from giving or lending the credit of the state in aid of any person, corporation, or municipality, and forbids the pledging of the credit of the state for the payment of the liabilities of any individual, municipality, or other corporations. It exercised the ingenuity of the legal members of the committee to devise a way by means of which these wise constitutional provisions could be so adjusted as to meet the special necessities of the stricken city.

The state was asked to donate to the city of Galveston all taxes to which it was entitled from the County of Galves

those who opposed it was one of the most forward and progressive men of the city, Colonel W. L. Moody. His opposition was based upon the ground that it seemed unreasonable to ask for so large a thing from the politicians of the whole state. At last, Colonel Gresham turned to him and said, "But even you, Colonel Moody, have often said that you could always get what you wanted by persistent asking for it." With dignified language, but in most determined manner, Colonel Moody denied that he had ever made such a remark. Again Mr. Gresham insisted that he felt sure he had heard that sentiment fall from Colonel Moody's lips many times. Again Colonel Moody denied that the words were ever used by him, and for some four or five minutes the two gentlemen, in the most courteous and positive way argued that the other was mistaken, until the rest of the members of the committee began to feel a little uncomfortable. At length,

COL. WALTER GRESHAM, GALVESTON, TEXAS WHO WAS THE PRIME MOVER IN THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY.

in desperation, Mr. Gresham asked: "Well, Colonel Moody, what was it that you did say?" Without the shadow of a smile, but with a twinkle in his eyes, that at once revealed the secret of his pertinacity he pointed to Colonel Gresham and sententiously exclaimed: "I have never said that I got what I asked for, but that you always got what you asked for."

With this large faith, Colonel Gresham and Mr. Clarence Ousley went to the legislature and to the great delight of the citizens of Galveston, their request was generously granted.

This was a gift from the people of Texas to the stricken city, estimated to be worth fully two million dollars, for, as the taxable values of the county increase, the amount remitted will correspondingly increase. The act of the legislature also provided for the bonding of this gift by the city in the sum of two million dollars. This was done and contracts called for to grade the city to the required level. The contractors were asked to take half their pay in cash and half in the city bonds, and such was their confidence in the men who are now directing the city's finances, that they agreed to do this. The taxes thus remitted amounted to about $85,000 in 1906. Thus it will be seen that the bonds, while issued by the city, are practically guaranteed by the state.

Colonel Gresham is one of those farseeing men whose presence in a community is a constant inspiration to those citizens who can never see beyond their own immediate profit. As early as 1887 he began to plan large things for the city's future. When he advocated the deepening of the harbor to 30 feet he stood almost alone, and the most sanguine of Galveston's citizens begged him only to ask for 18 feet. Yet his large claims are now fully justified and the United States Government is now contemplating the extension of the jetties far enough to obtain a uniform depth in the harbor of 35 feet at mean low tide.

When the Grade-Raising Board first began operations, some of the people would not understand or believe what was going on. They refused to raise their houses and were somewhat disconcerted and horrified to find the wet sand being poured around them. It did not take them long to realize that the board "meant business," and after that first experience no one has given any trouble.

In filling in so as to raise the grades it can well be seen that most, if not all, of the gardens, trees and lawns of the city were destroyed, as well as all the shade trees that had been planted along the streets. Galveston has long been noted for its palms, oleanders, magnolias and other semi-tropical trees, and to destroy them has been a great grief to all concerned. But it was one of the lesser evils that had to be as cheerfully submitted to as possible in order to protect

against the greater evil, and time will coöperate with the earnest endeavors of the people and soon restore the beauty that has been destroyed. Nay, it will be enhanced and increased by the material improvements that are now SO rapidly nearing completion.

While the grade was being raised the city authorities took the opportunity to improve and enlarge the sewerage system, and now, as the large extent of the former has been finished, the city rejoices in a perfect and sanitary sewerage, which, as soon as the whole of the grading is done, will be as thorough and complete as that of any city of its size in the country.

Another great improvement is now about to be begun. The various railways that enter Galveston all converge to Virginia Point on the mainland, and then across the bay on trestles. The legislature has already passed a bill author