Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-02-04
BY JOHN McKELWAY
Star Staff Writer

1t is generally accepted in most
circles that things are just differ
ent in Texas.
One Of the most recent examples
occurred two Saturdays ago when
the people Of the States 18th dis
trict (Which lies below the Okla
homa line) elected to Congress a
judge who had picked up a repu-
tation by sentencing juvenile de-
linquents to the BARRIERS chair.
Such practice-in most circles
at least-would be considered po-
litical suicide. But Graham B.
Purcell. jr., AZ, the Judge and a
Democrat, won by 10000 votes
over q conservative Republican
businessman from Wichita Falls,
home town Of the even more con-
sentative and the first Republican
Senator to arrive from the Con-
federate States since the Civil
War-John Tower.
The election was held to I'LL a
vacancy, created when former
Democratic Representative Frank
lizard, a soft-spoken but highly
regarded Congressman, left his
native land to take up duties here
as executive vice president Of the
American Petroleum Institute.
Representative Purcell, sworn in
last Monday as member of Con-
gresS, did not give exactly the
impression he was the only law
west or east Of the Pecos -
wherever 1t might be. He wore a
red carnation in his lapel and was
quite solemn.
The Freshmen Feeling
BY his third day in office he sat
in a rather bare office and adj
mitted he was thoroughly con-
fused by the ritual on the floor OF
the House.
THE last time I felt this way"
he said sadly, twas during that
first week at college"
The condition is not expected
to last too long. He's been living
with the Vice President, another
Texan and a former teacher.
Mr.. Purcell, a father Of four.
is slender and tall without boots
and he has q fine pair of cold blue
eyes. He has that rich, low Texan
voice that can be turned to good
advantage. He could easily be
mistaken for cattle or oil baron
or at least a cowboy who smokes
rugged cigarettes.
Actually, the new Congressman
grew up on a farm of only 500
acres which in Texas is so small
its considered a "stock farm" and
not a ranch. He does not drink
and smokes only an occasional
cigar-which he goes at with
much satisfaction.
Headline Victim
In his current bewilderment,
Mr.. Purcell seemed relieved to talk
of home and his reputation as a
judge-and those delinquents he
had sent to the chair.
He credits a headline writer on
a newspaper in Wichita Falls with
getting his name circulated by
writing over two-inch story on
page 1:
Judge Sentences Youth to
Chair"
The story was probably Of suf-
ficient length, although it did note
a change in the local approach to
delinquency problems in Wichita
County.
For Judge Purcell had ordered
a youngSter, up before him on
charges of theft, to have his duck
tailed haircut removed-in a bar
ber's chair If necessary-before
he would even conduct hearing
in the case.
THAT hair" the former Judge
recalled the other day, had been
down around those ears for so
long there was white streak run
ming around his head when they
cut it off,"
To many in the Far East this
probably sounded like brutal treat
mentor the story was distrib-
uted nationally.
But the people of Wichita-iI
not its youngsters liked the IDEA.
And the judge, sensing accept
ance, improved on the approach
as he went along.
Down home" he said. 1.-The kids
were wearing their blue jeans half
off. But if they came in my court,