Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-08-01
FERCUSONISM
SOLE QUESTION
Bitter Issue 10 Dominate
All Smaller Phases In
Second Primary
Especial to The Hera'-1

AUSTIN. July 31.-"Fergusonism-
That. observers here said, will be
the only issue discussed in the sec
ond primary ace for governor.
It 50 far overshadows voters pre-
ferences as 10 submitting or not
submitting a highway bond issue,
so far surmounts the question OF
taking up local bond issues, and so
completely transends the issues be-
tween various candidates who drop
ped out. that 1t has become the sole
question Of the second race.
"Fergusonism". as defined by a
political leader here. would mean
the continuance OF the Ferguson
family in power. the disruption OF
the state by bitterness not surpass-
ed during Mrs. Ferguson's former
term.
New Seige
ssFergusonIsnl' Is considered as
involving a new selge OF the riol-
cuIe which Texas faced from every
part OF the nation when rlba!d peO-
pie charged Tevas had irresponsible
government private individual
with many grudges to pay actually
running the governors office.
II would involve direct assent OF
the voters To violating DEGREES OF
the courts that James z. Ferguson
cannot hold office from which he
was removed for official corruption.
It would inolve public approval
OF the highway scandals Of Mrs.
Ferguson's former administration
out OF which road contractors were
glad to pay back to the state over
81, 900. 900 rather than fight out
suits brought by the state to their
finish.
"Fergusonism" as il was prac-
ticed, involved losing all federal
aid for highways, because OF mad
equate re~cord-keePing OF the high
way department and the entangled
condition Of highway administra-
tiOn.h
"Fergusonismr as Il Is on record,
means putting minor clerks into
highest administrative offices, per-
sons plant 10 a master hand that
is not the hand Of the elected chief
executive.
Reviewing these aspects Of Fer
guSonism. along with the broken
morale OF a state government ad-
ministered by a private individual
with grudges 10 pay. observers be-
lieved II would be easv for the other
candidates for governor 10 reach q
decision as TO where they will 60 in
the second primary.
Young Near Sterling
James Young. political regular
exponent of political morality ana
governmental integrity. differed
from Sterling only on the question
Of whether the voters should have
the right TO pass the road bond
question.
Since the legislature and not the
governor have the say on that,
there would be no serious bar 70
his active support helped beat hirl.
He would have no debt Of gratitude.
II that were true. and he. even while
Ferguson was supporting him. Wit
operated Ferguson in the harshest
terms and told the voters he would
enter no agreement or compromise
with Ferguson.
He would not have 70 60 far to
oppose the Ferrusons. He would not
support the highway bond plan: but
for a choice between the FerguSonS
and Sterling. II was believed impos-
Sible that he would try to aid the
Fergusons.
Thomas B. Loves support for
Sterling was natural. not merely on
the bond question. but on prohibit
ton. Mrs. Ferguson claims TO be a
dry. James z. Ferguson loudly as
serts he IS dripping wet. Mrs. Fer
guson's speeches. as made BY her
husband. said she would fsv0~ 0usf-
ing any official who drank illegal
LIQUOR. But. you voters you under
stand that don't affect you al all
Mr.. Ferguson repeatedly said.
Otherwise. inviting them TO be-
lieve they could disregard the pro-
hibition laws with impunity.
That the Fergusons as governors
would mean an attack upon and
weakening Of prohibition laws. was
claimed to be readily obvious. as
shown by the support Of Frank Pr
nam. who ran as a vet candidate
which promptly was thrown 10 the
FerruSorA