Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-10-29
IN HIS
ADDRESS TONIGHT
TO MAKE REPLY
WILL ANSWER CHALLENGE OF GOV.
FERGUSON IN ADDRESS TO BE
MADE At FORT BROWN.
LIVELY POLITICAL CONTROVERSY
APPARENTLY IN PROSPECT ON
BORDER SITUATION.

! When Senator Morris Sheppard on his
returnto Brownsville this morning from ln-
automobile trip along the border in which
he made personal observations of condi-
tion>. was handed copy of Houston
paper containing his exchange of telegram>
ing the border situation. he read II over
carefully, but due TO the fact that he ar
rived late and was scheduled To accompany
Il party of Brownsville men on "A trip to
BraZo> Santiago harbor as the guest Of the
Rio Grand, railway. he did not have time
To make any comment. However, Senator
Sheppard j. scheduled To deliver an ad-
dress at Fort Brown tonight AT o'clock.
and his friends say he will make answer
fully 10 the messages of Governor Fer
gu>on re>enting his messages on the bor-
der situation.
ID j. expected that tonight, i'm addition To
replying to the political features of Gov
ernor Ferguson messages, Senator Shep-
pard will also make known his specific
suggestions with reference to solving OF
the border problem. which he announced
he would do completing hi> trip along
the l.io Graadc.
The messages which were exchanged be-
tween Senator Sheppard and Governor
Ferguson follow:
Sheppard to Ferguson.
"Per~onal observation of condition
show that people here have been exceed
lngly conservative, patient and long suffer
ing. Rural districts already being depopu-
lated State of panic prevailing. State
should exercise every resource al its com
mand Will be glad to advise YOU further
IN day or two"
The governor answered Senator Shep-
pard sharply He plainly stated that there
was politics back of the senator's motives
and referred him 10 the effcrts that the
United States army. the Texas rangers and
the Texas authorities have been making for
months to put down lawlessness along the
border
The governor sent the following answer
to Senator Sheppard's telegram:
"Hon. Morris Sheppard, Brownsville,
Texas: Telegram received Am glad that
YOU have ut last become int, rested in the
troubles Of Texas Shall appreciate if YOU
Will make a specific recommendation Of
what | should do and what the national
government should do and tell u Just ex-
actlv what should be- done. General recon-
mendation~ are reaching me every day. but
specific suggestions are lacking. Shall be
h.ax nI hath fla
national army i performing it, full duty.
Also advise me whether the Texas rangers
are doing their full duty. and If derelict in
any respect please state such negligence
specifically. Shall also be glad 10 have
YOU state to met whether the citizenship of
and If not. advise me specifically what
steps they should take. Shall appreciate
specific advice from YOU in full. but You
can readily understand that general ex-
pres~ion~ and useless platitudes will not
suffice ~ basis for official action. Ad-
wise me early and often
In response to this Senator Sheppard re-
Piled:
Governor james +. Ferguson, Austin,
Texas: regret that YOU seem to have mis-
construed the spirit of my telegram of this
morning. ! sent il in the best of feeling
and good faith and with desire n q
citizen to he of some assistance to the
governor Of my state and TO large section
OF my people in n frightful crisis. After
carefully looking into situation will answer
your inquiries specifically"
Governor Ferguson. in reply to the last
wire of Senator Sheppard, sent a Telegram
which said:
''Your telegram Of yesterday. which
more deeply resent than did the first, !,
received. You well known that for month.
the governor of Texas, the citizens D.
Brownsville, the state rangers, peace OF
iicers and the national army have heroicaIl,
, struggled with the border trouble Henc,
your message attempting to tell me wha
the state should do and insinuatng tina
the state through me had done nothing I,
relieve the border situation is piece 0
crude politics which j. covered up % deepl
. that il shows through on the other sid
e your real motive.
: sSince YOU have seen fit TO inject Your