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Webb 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 says, *‘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.”Most people here will not agree. A taxidriver: “The Independent Club has always been here. WhyWright again repeated their oathisessor, and now a trustee ofto them. He told the jury he titl I Laredo School District.confidence they would seek thetruth, regardless of anyone’s party affiliations.“I would hate to live in a county,” 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-, . or; members included Ernestoj^ Garcia, deputy tax assessor; Sunt.j J. W. Nixon of Laredo schools; Ed Villarreal Jr., son of Lalo Villarreal, constable; Joe Guerra, brother of Dist. Atty. Kazen’s secre-Joe Coleman, a state emp who is the husband of James zen’s secretary.The grand jury in short o indicted nine persons. Only was a member of the Re; Party. The others were of thlt; dependent Club and include citv official and four citv“Wait until they are trier they are. We live here. We krr suspended or probated senteiu Reform Party leaders say. The Independent Club’s totary; and R. E. Misener, former 'Jiaf keen krwu£kt 0LU in county commissioner. jbefoie various courts. Its men- ;ship includes 99 per cent of Maher pomted to the grand ntry;and c(l,n!v n)IU;ulls and cmp„commission, which selects persons ^ ,lrc m)t ,nember wht!ll to the panel from which the j«y:take (hfir jobSi thev s00n ioi:is chosen. The commission is: .L. P. Botello, director of the]Laredo Bridge System (owned two | thirds by Albert and Joe Martin1 Sr., powers in the Independent Club) and married to the formerfight it? What happens? If you Miss Christina Martin, daughter 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-TELE V .SIOWMoke tou« Selection Now! All Fomou* Nome*‘‘AODEL SHOP APPLIANCE CO.11! IV. 4th—Phone FE 2-22SUPERMAPAT PIONEERPair of Twin Beds With Bookcase Headboards Big Double Dresser With Big Mirror
Newspaper Details
Odessa American
Odessa, Texas, US
Mon, Sep 03, 1956
Page 7
Full Page
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Texas A.
TX, USA 18 Jan 2024
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Odessa American
