Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-10-13
GRAND JURY ASK
FOR COLLECTION
DELINQUENT TAX
Report Submitted to Judge
Cunningham Friday After
noon Calls Attention to
Heavy Delinquencies

talling attention 70 the fact that there
Is due Cameron county between 500
600 and 100000 IN delinquent taxes
the report IF the Cameron county grand
jury. which was submitted To Judge
Cunningham late Friday afternoon.
urged that immediate action be taken
TO collect these taxes, some of which
have been delinquent since 1SS5. Little
criticism was expressed in regard 10
general conditions i'm the county. and
commendation was expressed in regard
To condition of the court house. Jail, and
the manner in which the prisoners are
fed and treated.
One feature of the report was the
criticism expressed in regard 10 what
the grand jury termed roadside auto
mobile parking. also Adam and Eve swim
ming parties" and urges that the county
jail be used more freely as an inStru
mcnt IN breaking up This di>graccful
practice" The report in full j. a. fol
lows:
To the Hon. A. W Cunningham. Judge
Of the Criminal District Court. Cameron
County. Texas.
Pursuant 10 your call Of September
3rd. 1923. We. your grand Jury. have the
following report To submit. which we
fed conditions in Caur4on couwy
warrant.
First. we wish To call attention 10
the examining trial reports furnished
by justices of the peace. and would ask
that these reports be- more complete.
giving testimony of witnesses and the
names of all witnesses whose testimony
cannot be had. we ask that these reports
be made regardless Of whether defend
snts are bound over 10 the grand jury
This will facilitate the work of the grand
jury a well as save money for the
county. and will also furnish the testi
mcny of Witnesses who ia many eases
leave the county.
We believe the county attorney
should see to this and insist that this be
done.
We wish to call attention TO the de-
plorable condition now existing in This
county in the way Of roadside automobile
parking. also Adam and Eve dancing
and swimming parties Things have
come to our attention which seem i'm
possible in a civilized country. and we
urge that the county jail be used more
freely in breaking up this disgraceful
practice, and believe parents of these
boys and girls should keep closer super
vision over their actions.
We wish To call your attention 10
one very noticeable fact the more ser
ious crimes. such as murders. etc. are
sppreciably less than in past years.
We also find the state and county
taxes. in some instances. are delin-
quent n far back a. 1885. and We most
empbatically condemn those responsible
for such laxity and recommend that inn
mediate action be taken for the col
lection of same. The amounts reported
as being delinquent vary from S3OO.oOO
to $4OO.OOO.
We find that certain property is not
being assessed i'm this county according
10 law and according 10 the attorney
generals ruling covering such matters
this ruling is very plain. and we call
upon the citizens Of this county 10 see
that those responsible for such evasion
comply with the law
we also find hat 5000 per month Il
being paid private institutions FIR The
purpos. of taking care If the county's
sick and paupcrs and We believe this ~
be not only cxtravagaut but q violation
Of the law. and recommend thai alien
tIy and that the county commissioners
court take care of the countss sick n
individual eases appear and pay the
bills only for services rendered me
county
We deplore the violating of the
prohibition law 10y anyone. We con
demn the practice of making. selling or
buying intoxicating liquor in our county.
and we most especially condemn nm
American citizen buying bootleg liquor.
who. by this act lowers the dignity of MS
citizenship and Influences others. even
the foreigner. 10 commit the same deed
when he. a. an American citizen u OBJ
ligatcd 90 set worthy example for the
foreigner.
We also deplorc aud condemn the
practice Of any county official or Of
ficials. or any one. who may attempt
10 bring politics into the grand jury
room while in session.
In our investigations we fini that
a great deal Of the crimes originating
at bales being held throughout the
county on Saturday aud Sunday nights.
occur after eleven OF twelve o'clock nj
night aud we recommend that 10"
sherifrs department use its influence to
close all bales and public dances at
midnight.
We find that II il the practice Of the
sheriff's department in eases where no
examining trial j. held 20 simply bring
before the grand jury matters Of per
sonal memory. etc. We would suggest
that when such eases come M that inc
deupty sheriff handling such make
written memorandum. giving detailed ~
formation. Witnesses etc. tins ~ De
passed to the sheriff's department. VINO
IN turn will deliver il 10 the grand Jury
We believe IL this j. done il will faciii-
tate the grand jury's work.
We desire 10 thank the prosecuting