Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-19
The Brass Collar Press

According to Mr.. Sidney Hardin Of Mission, can
didste for congress in opposition to Congressman John
n. Garner, the press Of the Fifteenth district is very
largely Of the brass collar variety. In a recent ad-
dress at Los Fresnos Mr. Hardin stated that "the free
and ~untrammeled press Of the district is supporting
him. but the majority of newspapers. which he char
acterized as ring controlled" are supporting Garner
AS the number Of newspapers supporting the Mis-
sion man is limited to one or two out of fifty or more,
Mr.. Hardin might as well have stated that all news
papers in the district are dominated by what he terms
the relies OF the old regime"
The great majority OF residents of South Texas are
inclined TO be proud OF the South Texas newspapers.
In no part Of the United States are the communities
represented by a more progressive, fair and liberal
press than throughout the lower border country. The
newspapers Of the Lower Rio Grsnde Valley have been
a very important factor in Valley development. The
Brownsville Herald, enc Of the oldest, IL not the oldest
newspaper in the Fifteenth district, was laboring in
behalf of the Valley when MIR. Hardin was still in his
s~vaddling clothes, years before he acquired sufficien.
lung power 20 make an effort to shake the political
plum tree.
In marked contrast to the statement Of Mr.. Hardin
is a statement by County Judge 0. Q. Dancy in cam
paign literature recently issued in behalf Of his can
didacy for reelection. Commenting upon the fact tina:
Cameron county taxpayers are kept fully informed rel
alive TO the affairs Of county government, he says:
ANAkH - HAiAN sFAAAANh HA1@S NN 1RfNN h1N $500
taken into full confidence as to what is going on a:
the court house
Judge Dancy and no other county. state, district o.
precinct official or candidate for office has ever dis
covered that the press Of this section is Of the brass
collar variety. II remained for Mr.. Hardin, who is
attempting to Dust from congress one Of the strongest
men in the democratic party, 70 discover that the pro-
gressive newspapers OF South Texas are ring con
trolled." This conclusion being reached by reason OF
the fact that the newspapers Of South Texas are too
deeply interested in South Texas progress to support 4
candidate whose sole assets are an enlarged ego, a
stentorian voice and a burning desire" 10 hear the
echoes Of that voice in the halls Of congress.
Mr.. Hardin's principal grievance against the news
papers Of the district appears 70 be derived from their
refusal to handle his publicity except at advertising
rates. There is not a newspaper in Texas that would
not have its columns overlooking with the publicity Of
candidates if they accepted all the free publicity" that
is rendered. Every candidate for state office has the
same grievance. but they have more wisdom than %
denounce the press for its failure 10 accord each Of
them the publicity each thinks is his due.
Ever since the art Of printing was developed it has
been the effort Of politicians to attempt 10 use the
press to further their political ambitions. The more
radical or ridiculous their stand the more uncompro-
missing are their demands for publicity and the more
vociferous their denunciations when the press refuses
to proclaim them as a made-to-order Moses. heaven
sent to lead the nation from the wilderness.