Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-10-30
senator Sheppard said in part

Senator Sheppard said IN part
"Through the kindness of Collector
Frank Rabb and the local officials and of
ficials IN the service of the government !
have had the opportunity of visiting your
lovely Valley. and result have come
To the conclusion that the three greatest
men I'm the history of the world are Chris
tupher Columbus. Frank rabbi and Henry
Ford-Chri>topher Columbus. whose dIs-
covcry produced this great section: Frank
rabbi, who adorns every position ot trust
i'm hi~ care: and Henry Ford, who made
walking a pleasure.
"I have noted a rumor 10 the effect that
tonight | would reply in some way 10 Ger
tain expressions of the governor of Texas
in certain telegramS that have passed be-
tween myself and him regarding the
present situation in the Valley. J want to
sav 60 YOU that the situation j. too serious
and too tragic TO be- made the subject of
political OF partisan controversy. and | re-
fuse to be drawn into controversy of tins
character. and | want to say that IN in
vestigation of three days IN this Valley has
convinced ine that the situation j. of such
import and of so serious q nature that !
shall decline To engage in any political con
troversy. and | here and now dismiss any
feeling of resentment that may have arisen
on account Of messages that have passed
between myself and the governor. sin
cerelv hope the governor will come to thi~
section and investigate for himself. for II
isimpossible for any man to understand
the true significance of this situation un-
less he comes on the ground. and | think
the governor will find that this l. more
than a periodical border trouble.
CAS- member of the military affairs
of the United States senate; as q repre-
sentative In the senate. as q member of
the committee on irrigation, and a. Il mem
Der of the committee on commerce. which
relates 10 harbors. ! felt il my duty to
come among you m order 10 be able to
represent You bette< during the next ses-
sion Of the United States congress.
have not only right to be here but the
duty l. mime to be here.
81 think every one will realize the utter
futihty Of covering every part of our great
state, 50 far a. it, physical extent j.
concerned. When | left congress last April
said to myself. Il have some six or eight
months to dispose of and ] though would
endeavor to reach every point in the state
that had post office | found upon in
vestigation il would take me eight and
one half years.
Suggestions Necessary
''After an investigation of the situation
! have come 60 the conclusion that some
definite suggestions are necessary in con
nection with the situation. and IN connec
tion with these suggestions | intend ~
make no criticism Of the officials now IN
command of the situation. and they DO not
- consider il. and the suggestion that
made Governor Ferguson that every re-
source in the power of the state ought "a
be brought to bear on the situation, was
intended a no reflection on any action
he may have taken I'm the matter
One 0ficiaI Supreme.
''In the first place. there ought to b,
one supreme official i'm command through
out the entire section. who i constant,
ON the ground In that way, au,horit,
would be centralized From what hav,
seen IN the last two or three days. the
men have the situation well in hand. Tn.
impression seems 10 be current that IN,
soldiers have orders not To fire on an,
one until that person has fired first.
am sure that no such order has been given
They have right to arrest any Suspicion.
persons. They have the right to take an,
measure on their part that may be neces
sary in that particular case. OF course