Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1914-06-17
, WEDNESDAY, JUNE IL. 1914.
a MANLY

Ia the ewes of The Herald. a in thosc
Of the MANY thousands of ardent sup
porters of Tom Ball for governor, he
needed no defense against the scurrilous
accusations which have been made
against him by some Of his
political detractors. Tom Balls life has
been as an open book before the eyes If
Texas ever since he grew Ia manhood.
From his boyhood. spent in the piney
woods of Central Texas, he has enjoyed
to the utmost the confidence of those
who have known him best. Always a
prominent man in his native town If
Huntsville, that place honored him with
the Office Of mayor for three successive
ferms. The confidence placed in him was
such that he was induced to serve on the
school board of the town aud then the
state claimed him for the even more re-
spoDsible and elevated position of truS-
tee for the Sam Houston Normal lnsti
tute. Added 10 these honors. he WAS
elected as congressional representative
for four successive terms. As "A lawyer
practicing at the bar in Houston, his
citizenship has been of such calibrc a. Ia
challenge the admiration al all who have
known him, while his professional abil-
ity has been such rs Ia make him one of
the foremost lawyers of the state.
This, as told in his modest. unyar-
nished relation of facts. j. the story of
Tom Balls public career. On this rec
ord, he challenges proof of a single ac-
ton which may have made him unwor-
thy Of the confidence of Texans.
Throughout his life, as ia his earlier
career, those who have known him hest
have been his staunrheSt friends.
Throughout all his public services there
have never been amy who dared 10 say
aught against his character. II remain.
Ell for the anti prohibition candidate Tor
governor and his supporters Ia attempt
to cast mud upon him.
But the honest. sincere tone Of his
answer Ia his dctractors il such aS In
gain for him the admiration of all. IL
can but shame his would be- a.cusers. His
straightforward denial of the charges
bears the stamp oi sincerity. and must
win the respect of even hi opponents.
Col Balls statement is characterized by
simple dignity. Its freedom from re-
elimination is one If itS strongest fca-
lures. Had he INDUCED in a TRADE oi
dbuSt VI thbNt WHO hdNf tilti'dN oifal lN
accuse him. his address would have lack.
ed greatly ia strength aud convincing
power. The Herald believes that this nd
dress will gam many friends for Tom
Ball among thusc who may have been
inclined Ia credit the ISLANDERS which the
Ferguson bureau has endravorel To cir
Culate against him Ii i indeed a manly
defense, and Tom Balls friends today
all over the statr of Texas are pointing
with pride 10 his uttcranccs as a most
complete refutati"n of the anti prohibi.
zionist charges against him.
A. Col. Ball SAYS. the Effort Of his dc.
tractors have been intended aS much
for the purpose of diyerting the attention
of Texas voters from the real issue in.
yolved in the present campaign. ~ for
the purpose al diScrediting him. lie is
right ia his determination to occupy no
more time ia REPUTATION If such flimsy
Charges-right to refuse L. engage in
contest with those who fight in such IL
noble fashion. lie should devote his
every thought and effort from now until
the primaries Ia the great work of ear
rying Texas democracy in favor Of his
candidacy.