Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1916-03-23
CATTLERAISERS
ASK RELEASE OF
LIEUT. J. {. MORT
ADOPT RESOLUTIONS COMMENCING
ACT OF LIEUTENANT BEING
TRIED At MERCEDES.
ASK GENERAL FUNSTON TO REGARD
ACT AS PATRIOTIC, AND NOT
BREACH OF DISCIPLINE.

HOUSTON. Texas, March 23.-A reso-
luton indorsing the movement 10 secure
a dismissal OF the charges held against
Lieutenant John r. Mort, L. 5. A., who
crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico in
order To rescue two soldiers, was adopted
Tuesday at the opening meeting of the
Cattle RaiserS' Association.
The resolution j. a. follows:
"Whereas, the horrors Of civil war have,
for the past five years torn the threads of
the government of the republic of Mexico
a-under and 20 demoralized and weaken
ed the forces Of that war ridden nation
to such an extent that they nave been un-
able 10 maintain a sufficient army along
the border to prevent frequent incursions
of marauding bands of bandits from en-
terIng Texas and numbering our American
citizens and destroying their property,
and
"Whcreas, IL has been and j. now neces-
sary for the government of the United
States to maintain a large army along the
border between this nation and Mexico to
protect the lives and property of her citi-
zens from these bands of cutthroats and
thieves; and that,
Whereas, the attention of this a--ocia-
ton having been called to the fact that
one gallant young officer in the United
States army IN the person of Lieutenant
John +. Mort. did. while on duty on the
lower border Of this state, cross the Rio
Grande al Progrcso, IIidalgo county. Tex
a, IN pursuit of n band of Mexicans who
had captured two private soldiers in his
command, IN an effort to rescue his com
radcs in arm: and.
whereas, II = reported to this a~ssocia-
ton that this brave young officer was
placed under arrest and il being forced to
stand trial by court martial for crossino
The border INTO a foreign nation. without
specific orders from higher authorA
Ties, and that 1t is the conviction and be
lief OF this body of pure, red blooded
American citizens that an Injustice might
nc lone 10 = brave young officer by the
iur'her Illumination Of arrest, and in ease
OF conviction might entirely DESTROY the
ampitlon OF a fearless. capable and pa-
trlotic officer. and thereby deprive tbi,
government of his much needed uscful
ness, therefore,
BE n resolved, that the Texas Cattle
RaISerS' Association. IN convept,o,
Sempied ~ The city II Houston, Harris
county. Texas. does. ~ these resolutions
pace Itself on record n lndorsing the Of.
forts OF our United States senator from
Texas and of Congressman Join \ Gar
her and JEFF: McLcmore in the fight they
are making with the president. ,ecretary
OF war and with General Funston tbc
commanding officer of the Southern d;vi
sion OF the United States army. 10 secure
= dismissal "a the charges now held
against Lieutenant John T.. Mort. and ~
get HIM restored to his command:
he 1t further resolved. that this con
vention recognizes the i~ndi~putabl bio ,ace-
ny 81 maintaining = strict discipline IN
All matters pertaining "a the army. but
that we 's'lIcve that a true American spirit
and patriotic duty only prompted Lion
tenant Mort 10 take such drastic stems y
behalf of hi soldier. and that We request
'enerai Funston. who. We are informed
has absolute authority in TIN, matter. I,
regard It - mn act of patriotism rathe,
than 2 breach IF discipline. and cau.e said
charges - ~ dismissed.
"sc 1t further resolved. that 4 copy al
These resolutions be- forwarded without de.
laN ny the secretary of this association :,
General Funston NJ Fort sam Hou,top
ieNa>. and = copy each to our senator.
n congressman Garner and McLemore'