Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1920-07-19
WITHDRAWAL OF
JUDGE WELLS
NOT A SURPRISE
1t Had Been Reported For
Several Days That He
Would Retire Soon


Wells of Brownsville as a candidate
for chairman Of the democratic party
in Cameron county was not surprise
in local political circles, nor through
out the county.
1t had been rumored for several
days that the county chairman, who
has been head Of the party in Cam
eron county thirty years and more,
because of the condition of his health
expected to retire, not only from the
race for chairman. but also from po-
litical activity. As early as last spring
it was stated among his friends that
Judge Wells had virtually determined
to withdraw from political activity,
I, and his announcement as a candidate
for reelection was more surprise
| than the announcement of his retire
ment.
/ The first intimation of the prospect
of his withdrawal from the race came
during the middle of last week when
Judge Wells had a conference in
Brownsville with Judge Samuel
Spears. In some way, it became more
or less public that the conference had
to do with Judge Wells withdrawal.
and the rumor spread quickly through
out the county.
The race for the county chairman
ship, which has attracted more atten-
ton throughout the county than any
other contest, is now limited to Judge
r. w. Seabury of Brownsville, and
Judge Samuel Spears of San Benito.
Judge Spears is said to have the active
support of the oue-time dominant ele-
ment. or the Wells faction. in the
political affairs of the county, while
the Seabury candidacy is being ac-
lively supported by what is termed
the-...EafosnAea&s sSsns.e sniabe.i ~larert-
in county affairs.
Discussing the retirement Of Judge
Wells from the field, Judge Seaburv
said today:
81 have read with deep interest
Judge Wells letter announcing his
withdrawal and the grave reasons
that rendered that course necessary.
Neither | nor any friend Of mine will
be elated over his withdrawal under
such circumstances, although IL rem
ders certain the success Of our cam
paign. On the contrary, | and they
are distressed to learn Of Judge Wells
illness, and sincerely trust that it will
be found to be only temporary and
that he will be soon restored TO health.
"Our campaign has been directed
at a system, and not a personality. II
has been consistent with an apprecia-
tion of Judge Wells abilities and ser
vices, for which appreciation ! have
been publicly reproached by Mr..
Spears, who is now slated by the
Brownsville Sentinel as the heir to-
the system and its policies. Judge
Wells may feel assured that in his i'll
ness he has the true sympathy and
good wishes Of his fellow citizens gen
orally, including those who have diff
fered with him in the campaign"
As the last week before the pri
mary elections, which take place next
Saturday, opened today. activity on
the part of candidates who are OPP
posed for the places they seek, saw a
great increase.
/ Some of the instructed" vote in
Cameron county is expected to 60 for
Bailey for governor, but the race. in
the county is expected to be between
Pat NJ. Neff of Waco and r. f.
Thomason Of FL Paso Neff adherents
in the county are pushing word of
mouth campaign, while the Thomason
campaign is being assisted by a
| Thomason organization in Browns
vile, with J. 7. Canales as chairman.
Much of the Bailey faction which ex
listed before the April convention has
fallen away until the former senator
Is expected to show very little
strength in the primaries. Other races
on the state ticket are attracting lit
tie or no attention in the county.
w. T. Vann, the incumbent in the
office of sheriff, and J. p Cottingham
Jr., out for the democratic nomination
are both beating the bushes through
out the county in chase of voters.
| The only other interesting cam
palSn Is lndt DetWeen JOnn L. hlelDer,
the incumbent, and w. r. Jones, both
of Brownsville, candidates for district
attorney of the Twenty-eighth ju-
dicial district, which includes Cam
eron, Willacy, Kleberg and Nueces
counties. Jones' friends ar claiming
big majority in Cameron county,
and declare that the real race between
he and Kleiber will be in Nueces
county, where the vote is more un-
der control than in Cameron county.
IF Jones has the opposition of the
leaders in Nueces county, he will lose
in that county" said one man. "OnI
the other hand, if the leaders there