Evening journal., 1892-01-25
STATE OFFICERS GUILTY
Texas Authorities Censured by
a Federal Grand jury.
THE MEXICAN BORDER DEFEEsELEss

THE MEXICAN BORDER DEFENsELEss
Federal Officials Found TO Have connivcd
az Garzas Raids ana No Effort Made
by County onloors to Prevent Him Or
ganiling HIs Torocs h. the state.
BnowNsy1LLn, Tex, Jan 25-The federal
grand jury, which was specially charged by |
the court to inquire into violations of the I
neutrality laws, has made it, report, aud
says:
~'rhe grand jurors were much impressed /
with the charge to thoroughly examine into
any breach 81 the neutrality laws and en-.
deayor to bring al offenders 70 justica The
grand jurors were fully impressed with the
importance a the duty devolving On them,
both a. citizens and grand jurors, 70 aid by
every legal means in their power TO uphold
onr laws and the good faith Of our govern.
ment in its relations and duties toward
Mexico, with whom we are not only at
peace, but with whom we are endeavoring
to enter into closer commercial relations
which We hope viii be productive Of great
benefit to both nations
Connived at Garza's Raid.
1T Is pertinent here that we condemn in
severest terms the inefiiciency and possibly
criminal liability Of the state officers in
whose counties the revolutionists organized
without hindrance, and some federal ofii-
cials who, we have reason to believe, were
cognizant OF Catarino Garza's intention and
connived at his crossing, with his followers
into Mexico without timely information 10
our authorities. This derehction Of duty on
the part Of the government employees Is the
more reprehensible as il devolves upon the
federal government TO sustain treaty obhga-
tions and prevent international oompica-
tions.
ave believe that had there been any ade-
quate military force 10 properly guard and
repress lawiess acts on this frontier the vio-
lation Of our neutrality laws would not have
taken place.
efhe activity Of our troops on this extern
sive frontier, especially at Forts Ringgold
and Brown, assured Garza and his followers
/ that they had little to fear from pursuit, as
the effective force Of both postsfor a long
time previous to the organization Of the
reyolutionists aud since then has not OK
ceedod 100 men, including cavalry and in
fantry, to guard lineal frontier Of over
$50 miles, forming, inclusive of bends Of the
river, boundary line with Mexico Of over
400 miles long.
Praise for the Troops.
military posts whose effective force i
insufficient to send out formidable scout.
ing party without leaving the post in com
mand Of the surgeon, and the safety Of thf
government property dependent Oh h0Spita
- 4 Al
lawlcss gathering Of large numbers Of armed
men or intimidatc from committing unlaw
ful acts even much smaller number than
that gathered BY Catarino E. CARA.
Too much praise cannot be given 10 the
handful Of troops stationed at Forts McIn-
tosh, Ringgold and Brown, who since Sept.
16 have been doing constant duty by patrol.
ing this extensive frontier in their endeavoI
TO sustain the neutrality laws which the
government has apparently left to the cglrt
OF your court without providing the very
necessary force to insure the enforcement
Of cur laws
"rhe defenseless condition Of this frontier
was fully represented 10 the proper authori
ties, and timely efforts were made By Of
ficials Of this section to obtain a sufficient
number Of troops along tins frontier to in
spire the migratory and turbulent Mexican
element with proper respect for our gov
ernment and our laws. Recent events hav,
shown that the representations made 10 ths
department commander We're not exagger
ated.
"The forty or fifty men at the disposal o
the officers ia command at Forts Ringgolc
and Brown could not be expected 70 sue
cessfully cope with treble the number 10
cruited from probably the most daring ant
reckless characters, and as a result the serv
ice has lost brave noncommissioned onioel
without at the time iniiicting serious dam
age on the revolutionists.
Life and Property in Danger.
"As citizens Of the United States we pro
test that the failure Of our government Il
provide adequate protection 70 this section
Of Texas exposed our inhabitants and oul
property to the dangers and acts Of armed
bands Of lawless characters, who, when
forced to leave their own country for polit.
ical or criminal oifenses, abuse our asylum
by acts calculated 20 strain the friendly re.
lations existing betwean Mexico and our
government and entail great expense to ap-
prehend and punish the offenders.
eve have also 70 condemn the practice Of
appointing deputy marshah and other fed
eral employees who are unable to read
write and speak the English language in
any section OF our country where there arr
plenty Of competent persons willing to serve
who have the necessary qualifications. II
is in evidence before this grand jury that
some of the officers in this district are IN
able to read or write any language, and
have little or no conception Of their duties
Us such oficeis.n
United States Judge Maxey commented
very faYorably on the report, and ordered
copies sent to the secretary OF war, the sec.
retary Of the treasury and the attorney
| general