Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-05-30
CHARGES AGAINST
CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR OF MATAMOROS ACCUSES
BROWNSVILLE OFFICIALS OF
AIDING AND ABETTiNG CAUSE
OF CONSTITUTIONAL
NYOR COLE DECLARES ONLY MOST
CORDIAL FEELINGS ENTERTAIN
ED FOR MATAMOROS GOVERN
MENT-WILL INVESTIGATE.

/ of MatamOroS has fled charges with
Mayor A.. b Cole Of Brownsville that
rity officials of Brownsville are aiding
ahe constitutionali;ts that they have
been supplying the conStitutionalists
! NTH arms and ammunition that picture
post cards are in circulation showing city
! officials of Brownsville with officers of
! Blanco'S commands; and he prefers many
lbther charges. alleging general violation
| Of the United States and MeAicn neutral
lity laws.
The first charge Of This kind was made
to Mayor Cole personally by nr Harra
gan last Monday week ago, and the
second charge was received by Mayor
Cole by Messenger at II o'clock last night
in the form of Il letter Mr.. Cole did not
give out the entire contents Of the let
er Of Dr. Rarragan, but in talking Of
its contents and his answer this after
noon hc said:
"a letter reached my hands last night
NJ II o'clock from Mayor HurragaI, Of
Matamoros. and among many things that
If the city officials Of Brownsville arc
Svmpathizcrs With thc Bl1Nco army. ard
partisanS OF the Constitutionaiist cause.
&c says it has been reported 10 him that
hcSc city officials have aided Blanco and
lave carried him arms and ammunition
md aS evidence he says there are in cir
uiation picture post cards in which ap
pcar officers o. Blanco's army and the
ifcialS of Brownsville who are com
nlancd Of
DR. barragan claims there is reg
lar stream Of automobiles plying he
tween Donna and the bank of the Rio
irandc nearest Rio Bravo the conStitu
ionaliSt headquarters. by which people
are travelling to and from Iblanco's head
quarters at all times he says that on
tuesday night number Of officers Of
1lancoS command were in Brownsville
HE alleges they were with Il number Of
local and Matamor0s men. were drink
ing in Il local saloon and that to0Sts
were made 10 the near capture Of Nat
amOrOS. that they were talking about
NhOm they WOuid execute when .:hey
took MatamoroS and what property
would and you'd not be destroyed, etc.
The letter is in substance Il rcpcti
ton of charges made hy Or. Barragan
% me a week ago this last Monday at
which time called on him in Matamor
os. At the imc he charged that city
employees were assisting Blanco's cause
md he referred me 20 certain persons
who could COrr0boTatc his charges. How
ever. upon returning TO Brownsville |
investigated the charges. questioned the
witnesses lie said could cOrrob0ratc his
charges but every one Of them denied the
charges
In connection with this matter. ! wish
w say that the City Of Brownsville and
he administration is absolutely neutral
n the present trouble, and positively
will not take any side in the matter We
recognize the friendly relations that have
ALWAYS existed between Brownsville and
MatamoroS. and we shall do all in our
power 10 continue these friendly rela
tons We are bound to recognize the
officials in charge Of the sister city. and
certainly have no desire whatever to
work against their interests.
Some Of the officials charged in the
letter of Dr. Baragan are elected T.
their offices. and other are appOintlVc.
So far as the elective officers are CON
cerncd. the mayor has no control over
! them or their conduct, and the only way
their actions can be interfcrcd with
would be through quo warranto pro
cccding before Il court of competent iur-
SdictiOn.
AS FIR the appointivc officials, the
\ mavor has control and the charges con
\ tained in Dr. Barragan's letter viii bo
\ investigated thoroughly. If it is found
\ that any of the city employees are guilty
Of any Of the acts charged. they will DC
promptly removed and their connection
with the city administration will be sev-
\ cred
In the question Of the alleged viola
n ion Of the United states and Mexico neu
\ trality laws. no city administration il
United states has any authority. thus
differing in this condition in Mexico
where the alcade or mayor. has the au
thority to enforce the laws of the com
try in addition to those of the city
These charges by DR.. Barragan | have
turned over to the deputy United Stat6s
! Marshal. and to Captain Kirby Walk
er. of the cavalry troop here. They vii
doubtless investigate the charges ant
take Sucl actions ac seems necessary nm