Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1922-07-04
POLITICALPOT
BOILING OVER
AT Fl. WORTH
Rev. J. Frank Norris and the
Ku Klux Klan are Fur
nishing the Fireworks
(By Hugh Nugent Fitzgerald
In the Austin American)


Worth was for many years a stronghold
OF Joseph Weldon Bailey and what was
knowL as the Bailey democracy. All the
rich cowmen here were his friends
Captain :. Burk Burnett idolizcd the
former senator and backed him 10 the
limit. Former Mayor Fill Davis always
rounded up the boys for the senator.
There vas political machine here.
that was the smoothest running If any
marhire in the state. Colonel Louis
y. Wortham was one Of the chief en-
gineers. Ii was the proud boast of the
political engineers that the machine
could not he broken by rnak outsiders
ar overturned by fees within. There
wer two political parties here in days
gone by-the democratic machine ard
the Rev. J. Frank Norris
In the campaigns of 1920 the Wilson
democratic party was born and in two
pitch battles in that year the Wilson
democrats smashed the machine and
turned the faces Of the old leaders 10 the
wall in the Political morgues. The Fort
Worth Record under its former manage
ment championed the cause If the VIII
son democrats aid the Fort Worth Star
Telegram made "a magnificent straddle.
Its editor fought for Woodrow Wilson
and Joseph Weldon Bailey AMI his de-
clarcd program for the annihilation Of
the Wilson democracy. The machine
WAS given two terrific walopings and the
Wilson democrats swept the platter
clean and put Pat Ncff over for govern
or by a majority Of 800.
Then came the municipal election a
year later. Mayor Bill Davis was
candidate for reelection. He had the
backing of the old machine. lie had the
backing of all the big cowmen headed
by Captain Burk Burnett who died last
night. Again the machine went down in
defeat. Fgbert T. Cockrel was elect
ell mayor by 1900 majority and the
city offices were cleaned out almost
from garret Ia cellar.
Players Change
A;bther year rolled by. 4 new stage
has been built and the principal players
the stage are klansmen and anti
kiansInen. This is the home Of Clarence
Ousley. candidate for the United States
senate. lie has the active newspaper
support of the Fort Worth Record and
the Star-Telegram. And the Star-Tcle-
gram is whooping up his cause along
the most approved lines Tarrant coun-
ty Is conceded 10 Ouslcy hy a majority
of the politicians. Serator Culberson
has always been a prime favoritc as the
Harrisons are Mrs Culberson's broth
trs and they have been very influential
in by gone years.
People have told the writer that
Rev. j. Frank Norris is backing CuI.
len +. Thomas for first place and that
the Fort Worth Daily Press is fighting
tooth and toenail for Thomas Anti
klnnsmcn have powerful organization
here. Former district Judges. James
w. Swavlc and Tom Simmons are
among the leaders If the Citizens len.
que fighting the klan. Many of the
wealihiest property owners in the city
are members Of the league. These mem
hers every day and that they have the
khan organization on the rnn.
Khan Also Strong
Former State Senator W. 4. Hanger.
who defended James T.. Ferguson in his
impeachmei, trial. is admitted Ia hc
chief among the klansmen. His son
Captain Robert \. Hanger is ,and-
date for district attorney. There is %
fierce fight on for control of the local
offices and the state senatorship. Here
a. In Dallas the police department IL
said To he dominated by the klan and
three of the district Judges are said to
he klansmen. IL apcars To be n pretty
kettle Of fish all around. Heads of pub
bile utility corporations are very much
In evidence here in Dallas, keeping an
eye on the legislative contest.
Clarence Ousley is not kansman
Many of his leading supporters are an
ti-klansmen hut there are klansmen con.
nscted with the editorial staff Of the
two leadiig newspapers who are giving
Ousley loyal support.
A Noble Figure Passes.
Captain Burnett. If h. had lived.
would have been IN behind Mr.. Ousley.
They say that Captain Burnett's estate
has the value of 100000. 400 and that he
kept more cash in the bank than any
other man in Texas. Thomas William
waggoncr of this city is reputed to
be the richest man in Texas and Burk
Burnett was given second place.
There is another row on here that has
q center of the stage position. Federal
Judge James c. Wilson has been the
victim of many attacks from the pulp.
and through his newspaper made by Rev.
j. Frank Norris. These attacks have led
to the appointment by the Tarrant coun-
~ bar association Of a committee in
structed to make searching investica-
tion and report the results without fear
of favor.
Norris has charged that Judge Wilson
has been too lenient in passing sentence
stumbling block in the way Of prohibi-
tion law enforcement.
Judge Wilson's friends do not believe
the charges and the bar association com
mittee is determined to sift to the bot
tom as an impartial committee should
shift charges and then report in accord
ance with the facts.
Norris Starts Row
Norris reiterated his charges in the
city of Amarillo Monday night and then
caught a train for Los Angeles He
wired the committee of the bar associa-