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ar rne convention or tne (National rederation of rost utticeWebb Jurist InsistsHe Stay On SidelinesLAREDO (J'V—District Judge R. D. Wright, who hears many eases involving politics in Webb and surrounding South Texas counties, says he is on the sideline in the political fight between the dominant Independent Club and the Reform Party.“I have friends and enemies on both sides,” says the jurist, 79.Wright’s son, William, is assistant to Dist. Atty. James Kazen. The judge has always been endorsed, for 27 years, by the Independent Club, and say s, “I think it’s all right.”“People don’t understand,” he said. “It is difficult for one to know the blood kin and marriages here between families. When a political organization wins an election, it’s all right, they say. But when the organization sweeps the election, they call it a machine. It isn’t that at all.”Wright again repeated their oathisessor, and now a trustee of theto them. He told the jury he fcodj Laredo School District.confidence thcv would seek the - « . . . .truth, regardless of anyone's par- Joe U1nlan' a slate en.|loye ty affiliations. who is the husband of James Ka-“I would hate to live in a coun- zen*s secretary.ty,” Wright said, “where a grand jury would give consideration to political party affiliations.”Maher’s arguments included:Tlie grand jury foreman was G. P. Farias, the city tax collect-j , . „ or; members included Ernesto! PThe grand jury in short order( indicted nine persons. Only one i] was a member of the Reform Party. The others were of the Independent Club and included a citv official and four citv em-illvi V/4 w.ait r*ll 11 OvV-i v- ? . . . . ,tary; and R. H. Misener former! »“* heeli brought out ... testimonybefore various courts. Its member-county commissioner.- iship includes 99 per cent of citv! Maher pointed to the grand iuryjan(J coulllv officials aml en,p|0vescommission, which selects persons I „ ,hev atc n()t lnember wheI, {heyto the panel from which the jury:take thf.ir jobs thev soon join. 'is chosen. The commission is: j .....___________ |L. P. Botello, director of theLaredo Bridge System (owned twothirds by Albert and Joe MartinSr., powers in the IndependentClub) and married to the formerMost people here will not agree.A taxidriver: “The Independent Club has always been here. WhvM * v viwu; aiiu mui i icvj iij nirj iwi iih ifight it? What happens? If you Miss Christina Martin, daughter- ■ • » C jivnorv vui litiLia Kiai tin.win they take you in. I know it is|0f Raymond Martin, the club’swrong, senor, but what can I do?” A policeman: “They’ve beenhere so long, the world wouldn’t be the same if they were gone.I don’t condone what they do, but I can’t fight them. It means my job.”Reform Party leader Frank Maher challenged the grand jury which began investigating absentee ballots in August.Maher said the jury included; city officials, city employes or their relatives and they would whitewash the investigation.“They’ll indict,” Wright countered. “You don’t know a Latin American grand jury. If I ever did something wrong I would prefer an all-Anglo grand jury instead of one with Mexicans. They’ll indict. They’re a good grand jury.”Prior to letting the 12-man secret inquiry board enter its air conditioned room here recently,founder.Joe Moser, former city tax as-TELEV .SIONMoke fou« Selection Now! All Fomou? Nome*'AODEl SHOP APPLIANCE CO.112 tv. 4th—Phone FE 2-2262A DASUPERMARKAT PIONEER f• Pair of Twin BedsWith Bookcase Headboards• Big Double Dresser With Big Mirror
Newspaper Details
Odessa American
Odessa, Texas, US
Mon, Sep 03, 1956
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Texas A.
TX, USA 16 Jan 2024
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Odessa American
