tively unimportant; the lumber exports have fallen off because of the unusual demand at home; and imports of coal have suffered considerably, owing to the discovery of Beaumont oil, which is being used largely for fuel. Galveston is the centre of an extensive wholesale and jobbing trade. The manufacturing interests are important and varied; the products include rope, bagging, beer, cement, pipe, ice, iron, sash, doors, blinds, cotton oil, flour and meal, etc.
The government, under a charter of 1876 (last revised in 1893), is vested in a mayor, chosen biennially, and a city council, the members of which, though elected one from each ward, are voted for by the entire city. The executive appoints the recorder and the city clerk, and nominates, subject to the consent of the council, a number of other municipal officials. The boards of water commissioners, health, public works, and school trustees, the hospital board, and police and fire commissioners, are chosen by popular vote. The water-works and electric-light plant are owned and operated by the municipality. Population, in 1890, 29,084; in 1900, 37,789.
Early in the nineteenth century the site of Galveston was a favorite resort for pirates, who established themselves here under the leadership of the notorious Jean Lafitte (q.v.). They were driven from the locality in 1820, but soon reëstablished themselves, and in 1827 were again driven away by the United States authorities. A permanent settlement was made in 1837, and two years later the first charter of incorporation was obtained. On October 8, 1862, during the Civil War, a Federal force took possession without opposition; but on January 1, 1863, the Confederates under Magruder captured the city and secured 350 prisoners. In November, 1885, there was a destructive fire, and on September 8, 1900, occurred the most terrible disaster resulting from purely natural causes in the history of the North American continent. A West Indian hurricane, lasting eighteen hours—the wind veering in every direction and reaching a maximum velocity estimated at 135 miles an hour—swept over the city, and the streets were flooded to a maximum depth of 16 feet above mean low tide. Within a period of five hours, but chiefly between 7 and 9 o'clock p.m., 6000 lives were lost, and property, including 7000 buildings, valued at $18,000,000, was destroyed. Help poured in from all parts of the country, and much of the suffering was thus alleviated, though a large part of the city had been totally destroyed. The municipal government was placed in the hands of five commissioners, two elected and the others appointed by the State Governor, and the work practically of creating a new city was begun, with the present results as detailed above. During 1901 nearly $4,000,000 was expended for permanent improvements. A committee of eminent engineers in 1901 made plans and specifications for a breakwater, estimating the cost of a sea-wall at $1,250,000, and attendant filling in of the city to a commensurate grade at $2,250,000. In the same year the city received from the Federal Government an appropriation of about $1,000,000, 90 per cent. of which went for reconstruction of the fortifications. Other improvements projected for the immediate future are the repair of the jetties and the widening and deepening of the channel.
GALVEZ, gäl′vā̇th, Bernardo, Count de (1755-86). A Spanish administrator, Governor of Louisiana and Viceroy of Mexico. He was born near Malaga, a member of a powerful Spanish family; entered the army in 1771; studied military science in France in 1772-75; served under O'Reilly against the Algerians in the latter year, rising to the rank of brigadier; and in 1776 was sent to Louisiana as Lieutenant-Governor under Luis de Unzaga, whom he succeeded in the same year. During the Revolutionary War his sympathies were largely with the Americans, whom he assisted in various ways, even before Spain's declaration of war against England in June, 1779, after which he prosecuted hostilities with considerable energy against the English possessions in this part of the country, and succeeded in capturing Fort Manchac, Baton Rouge, and Fort Panmure (1779), Mobile (1780), and Pensacola (1781). For these successes, and as a reward for his general administrative efficiency, he was raised in 1783 to the rank of count, was promoted to be lieutenant-general, and was appointed Captain-General of Cuba. This position, however, he relinquished two years later, to succeed his father as Viceroy of Mexico, where he lived with much ostentation, and for this, and for his construction of a fortified palace at Chapultepec, was accused by many of planning to create an independent Mexican kingdom, with himself as king. Both in Mexico and in Louisiana he introduced numerous and important reforms, and he has been regarded as one of the ablest Spanish administrators ever sent to America. Consult: Gayarré, History of Louisiana, vol. iii. (last ed., New Orleans, 1885); and Bancroft, History of Mexico, 1516-1887 (San Francisco, 1883-88).
GAL′WAY. A maritime county of Connaught, Ireland, and, after Cork, the largest of the Irish counties (Map: Ireland, B 3) . It is bounded on the east by the Shannon and its affluent the Suck, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Area, 2452 square miles, of which bog and marsh make up about 15 per cent. The coast-line is about 400 miles in length, and the shore, much broken, is fringed with numerous islands. Copper is the only mineral of importance that is found. Agriculture and fishing are the leading pursuits; the production of kelp is large; and woolens, linens, friezes, and felt hats are manufactured. Chief towns, Galway, the capital, and Tuam. Population, in 1841, 440,700; in 1851, 322,430; in 1891, 211,227; in 1901, 192,150.
GALWAY. The capital of Galway County, Ireland, a municipal and Parliamentary borough, seaport, and civic county at the mouth of the Corrib on the north shore of Galway Bay, 50 miles north-northwest of Limerick, and 130 miles west of Dublin (Map: Ireland, B 3). It is built on both sides of the river, and on two islands in its channel, its parts being united by two bridges. It is connected with Lough Corrib by a canal, and forms the terminus of the Midland Great Western Railway. Galway has numerous flour and other mills, brush factories and breweries, distilleries, foundries, etc., salmon and sea fishing, a good harbor, with docks and a lighthouse. It exports agricultural produce, wool, bacon, fish, kelp, and a fine black marble, and im-
