Canales Investigation
[5][6][7] Widespread claims of abuse of authority and vigilantism would spark the investigation of the Texas Rangers by Jose Tomas Canales in 1919.
[2]: 73 After the incident, Canales introduced legislation, House Bill 5, which would, among other measures, limit the number of Texas Rangers to 24 officers, increase pay and professionalism (with requirements for age and prior service).
[2]: 77 Discussion of the bill inspired heated and emotional rhetoric in defense of the Rangers, with Canales making charges that the group was responsible for the abuse of prisoners and a number of murders.
[2]: 78 [1]: 435 The defense, on the side of the Rangers, was represented by former legislator Robert E. Lee Knight and Texas Cattle Ranchers Association Attorney Dayton Moses.
[2]: 78 Canales proposed that support for the Texas Rangers was a result of German propaganda, designed to inflame tensions against Mexico to distract the United States from entering World War I.
Wells, testified both that he believed Rangers were responsible for a mass murder of 11 Mexican men whose corpses he had personally discovered on the side of the road in a state of decay.
"[3]: 670 The Porvenir massacre was an incident on January 28, 1918 in Presidio County, Texas in which the Rangers and local ranchers killed 15 Mexican villagers.
However, despite having no evidence that the Porvenir villagers were involved, witnesses testified that “American soldiers, Rangers, and Texas Ranchmen” executed fifteen men.
[4][10] Porvenir resident Rosenda Mega testified that the Rangers "took them about one-quarter of a mile from said ranch, and then in a very cowardly manner, and without examining any of them, shot them.”[4] Canales highlighted the murder of Lisandro Muñoz and the disappearance of Florencio Garcia.
[2]: 80 Another murder investigation lead one Ranger to confess to collecting $10 a week from brothels and bars, on order of the city marshal.
[2]: 81 [1]: 454 The counsel also heard the testimony of Jesus Villareal, who testified that two Rangers had pistol-whipped him, suffocated him, put a gun into his mouth and planned to plant evidence unless he confessed to the crime of transporting Mexican immigrants across the border.
[1]: 446 Canales also argued that he had anonymous testimony from dozens of claimants, whom he would not reveal, who claimed that they had not brought charges against Rangers for known misbehavior because they had no faith that the crimes would not simply be covered up.
On February 18, it issued a verdict absolving the Rangers of wrongdoing and suggested the force be allowed to continue, despite supporting the claim that Garcia had been murdered by agents, and other evidence of "gross violation of both civil and criminal laws.” It argued that the Rangers had violated the laws in searching homes without warrants and that it had illegally seized firearms.
[2]: 82 Nonetheless, it offered praise to General Harley, head of the Ranger Force, declaring him "entitled to the commendation of the Senate and House for the able, efficient, impartial, and fearless manner in which he has discharged the duties placed upon him.
[1]: 461 The so-called Canales Reforms introduced a smaller force with higher pay standards and a minimum and maximum age requirement for Rangers.
