The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-12
THE SnERlffS OF TEXAS
The Twenty-iIrst Annual Meeting 81 ihs
Association.
THE ANNUAL ADDRESS or SHERIFF cABfLl
lIIc Outlines tho Purposes 81 the
orEanisa tion--Thirty New Mem
bers Admitted.

Fort Worth. Texas, July 1.-THE twen-
ty-hrst annual convention OF the Texas
Sheriffs' association convened this morn
ing and wns called to order by President
Ben L. Cabell OF Drllas. Mayor B. b.
Paddock welcomed the delegates, who
numbered about $50.
Colonel II. NJ wynne also welcomed
the criminal catchers. He was one OF the
irsi sheriffs OF Texas and was elected tie
first year after the war.
Following Is the annual address OF Sher-
IN Cabell, president OF the association.
Fellow sheriffs--It is my proud privilege
to call to order this. the twenty-frst an
nual convention OF the Shcriffs' associa-
tion OF Texas. A glance at Its roster will
show how great has been Its growth slice
Its organization, but Its object and pur-
poses remain tho same Article 5 OF the
articles OF association declares the object
and purposes TO be. ITO mutually aid
and assist each other. to enforce tho penal.
laws Of this State. to arrest and bring TO
trial criminals and fugltives from justice,
to suppress lawlessness and crime, using
all lawful and reasonable means within
our reach to accomplish that END ny
prompt and energetic action" with these
high ends and upon these firm foundations
our association was planted by men. whose
names In after years appear amongst the
can mention muny whose names sub
scrlbed to our membership gave guar
antee TO all the world that 10 win their
appreciation and cooperation, high and
noble must be the purposes of our assoc
citation. And the fidelity OF the association
to its original purpose is evidenced by the
fact that never did any one OF them fall
TO take pride In the fact that he had once
been an active member of this association
and considered Il privilege and pleas
ure to keep his name enrolled as private
member; and this interest and appreciation
shuwn by these foremost sons OF our great
commonwealth In our association explains
our just pride In being permitted to carry
on tho great work
Too many of our fellow citizens who
have not taken the time nor given the
labor necessary to n candid investigation
have INDUCED in grave Misrepresentation
as to our purpose In maintaining this OF
ganizntion, and to eradicate these errors
il is appropriate on this occasion, that
should assure them that our association Is
absolutely non-polltlcal, and at our meet
lngs political discussions are under all
circumstances, absolutely prohibited.
Eligibility TO membership rests solely upon
the holding Mt the time OF election the
office OF sheriff, deputy sheriff. constable.
city marshal or chief of police and that
this position is held In the State of Texas.
great good does not result, not only to
themselves. but to the people whom we
serve. From an interchange OF views and
experience each gathers valuable informa-
ton. increasing his individual efficiency
familiarity is gained with the constant
changes made In old laws and a knowledge
OF the new ones. A sheriff must over be
up with the laws. for II he makes a mr.
take he suffers not alone but his bondsmen
must share his responsibility. With time
the wheels of progress In our work have
not stood still. and no greater Is the
change from the little mule car to our
modern electric car, than that which has
taken place in the methods, conditions and
development OF the work of the sheriff
For instance, In our populous counties,
with their network of railroads the bandit
has been superseded by the slick fingered
gentry, ollytongued confidence man, the
porch climber, hotel thief, the professional
burglar and the safe blower; they come
In different dress, appearance and methods
from the criminal whose place they have
taken aud must be met and COPIED with
by different tactics. Brains as well as
nerve are necessary TO protect society from
their raids they come into our State from
all directions, 20 to many places to prac-
tice their professions and at our annual
meetings each sheriff's Individual expert
ence detailed to his brethren enables each
on his return to moro effectiyely-protect
his own pople. And 1t Is the people of the
State who have delivered to the sherlffs
this great trust, the protection OF life and
property.who are the most directly BEN
ehted by these meetings, while We gain
that which enables us TO perform our du-
ties with added satisfaction to ourselves
We have one other purpose in organic
Ing and that Is shown by article Z. which
provides: THAT II any member in good
standing is killed while in the discharge
or his official duty. an assessment Of S.
on each member shall be made for the
benefit OF his family; and II a member dies
from natural causes and II becomes known
to the ass0.iation that his family is in
need, II Is the duty OF the secretary to
notify each member, and II is his duty TO
give them such an amount as he may think
proper This much have deemed proper
to say as to our aims and purposes. that
unjust criticism may be stilled and good
citizenship lend their hearty support to
that which must win their Communication. |
NOW. | trust that cur deliberations may
be marked with prudence and conaer- |
yatism. that in presenting matters for con-
sideration each member will ooniine him
self 10 subjects OF general interest and
substantial benefit TO all and thar debate
be 30 conducted that all may have a full !
opportunity for free discussion.
Whilo we congratulate ourselves upon
the good fortune that permits us to meet
here today, To renew old acquaintance
ships and make new ones, to brighten. | |
trust all our coming days, we must not
forget our brethren who since last we
met have CROSSED over the river and
rest under the shade OF the trees" Suit
able committees should he appointed to
see that proper resolutions expressive OF
our views on matters appertaining to the |
purposes OF our organization are presented |
for consideration and that these purposes
find fnlfllment so far as is within our
power.
Al our last meeting committees were
appointed. who will make their reysrt at |
this session, and these reports should be |
considered as soon as practicable. that all
may derive the greatest benefit from the |
work they have done.
would also suggest that your con-
sideration he given 10 the important sub
jeots Of the care OF the insane In county |
jails. the treatment and most practical
method OF reforming youthful criminals.
and a reform or Industrial school for In
corrigibles.
Now, In conclusion. let me say that, as
president OF this association, feeling that
the position is one that would honor any