New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-05-13
On the Border.

has resided west of the Nueces river, Texas
for seven years, much Of that time near the
Rio Grande, passed through the city yes ter
day on his way to Ohio In . Conversation
with q reporter Of the Republican,, Mr..
Brantom drew 3 deplorable picture of the
situation along the border. He says that
the outlaws uf both Mexico and the United
States are engaged in the marsuding raids
and murderOus attacks on the rancheros.
Desperad0es fleeing from justice IN Texas,
Arkansas, Missouri and States further to
the East, escape to the border, where they
come in contact and act in cOllusfon with
the bandits under the protection Of COrtinas,
the robber mayor of Matamoras.
There is no doubt. according to his belief,
that the raids which have cost the people
OF Western Texas so much loss have been
organized, OF ii not, at least encouraged BY
this scOundre1 Cortinas, who has usurped
the chief authority in the State of Tamauli-
PAS. Governor Cansles. MI. Brantom says,
is utterly poweriess to do anything, and
can not assist in bringing the thieves to
justice, which he seems very willing toodo
If it were not for the superior influence OF
Cortinas. There are good many Mexican
troops stationed along the Rio Grsnde, and
General Escobedo, comnaander-in.eh chief of
the Mexican army, has his headquarters at
SaitillO. There are two regiments OF cavalry
ras and Luredo.
Recently the soldiers have assisted
Texans in making some arrests of cattle
thieves who have escaped across thej river.
Bnt it has been of Ii tie avail, a. under the
laws Of Mexico they could NOT be held by
the military or tried by c0urtmsrtisl while
the civil courts are open, and C0rtinas has
managed to have them air turned over to
his creatures. who are aacaldes, and they
the stolen property of American citizens at
last finds it's way into the possession of the
bandit chiettain who rules in MatamoraA
Mr.. Brantom expresses hope that
the treacherous. rascally career of
Cortinas is about to be brought to
close by the action of the Mexican
government. Governor, Canales, who has
been virtually superseded in the exercise of
the functions of his office - Governor of
the State Of Tamaulipas, By the spdacity Of
Cortinas, has long entertained toward the
Msramoras bandit birter animosity, has
been using all hie influence and power to
eject the downfall OF that thieving scoun-
drel. Canales once removed COrtinas from
the Office of mayor Of MstamOras, but
through some technicallty he regained his
place, and Stree has been more audacious
than before, actually assuming the govern.
ment Of the State. In this usurpation he is
supported by all the thieves, vagabonds and
desperadOes on the border. -1'
At the time Mr Brantom left Brownsville,
little more than week ago, it was ru-
mored that Governor Canales, who has the
active sympathy of all the better classes Of
society and the moral support OF General
EscobedO, backed by the army, has secured
ample evidence Of the completely of Cor
tiDas with the RAIDERS into Texas. and that
measures are being taken to arrest him on Q
charge of conspiracy to mako war on
friendly government, contrary to treaty
Of the republic, and also under the charge
of highway robbery and other crimes. q
Mr.. Brantom says the Mexican military
forces in Tamanlipas, Nueva Leon and
Coahuila are sufficiently strong to execute
any order against Cortinss which the fed
eral authorities may issue, snd General
Escobedo only awaits the summons for
from the supreme civil authority
to act. with decision and energy, sgainst
the robber.
1t is the opinion all along the border that
il Cortinas was once re em5ved-hanged, as
ne richly deserves-there would be no
urther trouble from Mexican raids on the
Rio Grande frontier.
Mr.. Brantom thinks it impossible to esti-
nate the actual losses sustained by the
,aucberos between the Nueces and the Rio
J7snd- by the depredations Of tho raiders. |
he thinks more Than $50 lives have been
osr. and at least loo, 900 head of cattle, be- !
ndes heavy lo-ses in merch sndise and house |
loid goods The Mexican residents, because |
nost numerous and longer established in the |
'nnntry. have be the heaviest loeers. The !
ceiling against Cortinsa is very bitter, and |
IL could not pass the RIO Grande and live |
W" hours, if alone. Tie better class of the !
'e"ple' Of Mexico bordering the Rio Grande |
re not at all in sympathy with the raiders,
nd render Texans in pursuit. Of thieves as
much assistance in the way OF imparting
niormation a. they dare do, placed Is they |
re. Mr.. Brsntom went sixty milAa into
h- Interior Ot Mexico q couple 6sWeeks
90. and was well enough treated by the
Tar aln