Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-06-24
WOODWARD In
UNIQUE PLACE
State Scion May Resign So
Relatives Can Get APP
PoIntments

AUSTIN. June 24-Reports OF
Judge J. c. Woodwarc's selection as
a member or the state pardon and
parole board, declared by Gov. Dan
Moody 10 be unauthorized" have
brought out a unique quirk IL the
history OF the nepotism, or kinfolks,
law Of Texas.
Three public offices are affected.
Reports have 1t that Sen. Walter
9. Woodward Of Coleman has found
a way to cut the GoTdian knot
which closed the door cf reappoint7
ment on the University OF Texas
board Of regents 70 his sister. Mrs.
II. j. OTHair Of Coleman, and which
affects the holding by his father,
Judge Woodward. Of the place or
the pardon and parole board
Reports have il Sen. woodward
is ready 10 resign his office after the
special sessions TO permit his father
10 qualify for an appointiye state
post
Should he do SO. It would remove
the issue ON which Gov. Moody de-
cllned 70 reappoint Mrs. OHair as
the only woman member ever on
the university board. Mrs. OHair
has been left on the board. though
she has declined 10 attend the past
.WO sessions. after Gov. Moody told
her IN his opinion the nepotiSrl
law barred her reappOintment.
Sen. Woodward contends i does
not apply TO her since she draws
10 compensation for serving as a
regent.
But Judge Woodward. whose ap-
pOintment to the parole board az
one time was rumored IS a fact,
would come under the nepotism law
as a salaTied officer. and the only
solution whereby he could be named
would lie in Sen. WOodward's re-
tirement from the senate before his
appointment.
Sen. Woodward has rot discussed
this report that he may quit his
own office after the summer ses-
siCns OF the legislature 50 that one
or the other. Mrs. O.Hair o. Judge
Woodward. could hold ar important
administrative state post. The Gus
tom Of office-holders invariably is
10 submit a resignation first before
disclosing il publicly. and If Sen.
Woodward Is considering or plan
ming this step. he has followed this
custom. So far as known. he has
not been asked. will you resign
from the senate?"
Three c%orroborstive features add
to plausibility Of the reports:
Sen. Woodward is known TO have
discussed the possible appointment
Of his father 10 a state office that
the father could hold only II the
senator were out Of his present Of
fetal position
Gov. Moody said reports OF Judge
Woodward's imminent appointment
were unauthorized. but refrained
from saying they were unfounded.
He did not deny he may have dis
cussed appointing the senior Wood
ward. or even have rendered the
place TO him.
Then Coz. Moody announced he
will not take the third appointment
to the pardon and parole board I'M
til late August. which would mean
after the present sessions have been
finished. Then Sen. Woodward's
resignation from the senate would
leave little work unfinished I'm the
present body: though he holds a
fOur-year term extending through
the 42nd legislature as well.
Regardless OF whether Sen. Wood
ward c~ontemplates resigning in IA
vor or permitting his father or his
sister-in-law 10 hold a public office,
the triangular situation in which
the two others are affected by his
own public position is admittedly the
only n Of its kind in the history
OF the state.