Columns

Supreme Court sends Voter ID case back to Fifth Circuit

AUSTIN — Texas’ voter identification law will remain in effect for now, but the U.S. Supreme Court has instructed a lower court to rule on its constitutionality before November’s election.

On April 29 the Supreme Court temporarily upheld a stay granted by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 14. The stay has allowed the Texas law to remain in effect.

Justice Clarence Thomas, acting on behalf of the high court, ordered the New Orleans-based appellate court to decide Veasey v. Abbott by July 20, well in advance of the November 8 General Election. 

The plaintiffs allege the state law’s requirement — that in order to cast a ballot at an election poll a voter must present certain approved photographic identification — places a discriminatory and therefore unconstitutional burden on blacks and Hispanics.

The busy paintbrush of God, the flowers and trees such beauty.

A ride in the country a breath taking view,

As if God thought it his duty,

May is the beginning of spring so I heard.

The warm sunshine, the beautiful song of the mocking bird.

Although some things are not so much fun.

Work in the garden, mow the grass,

I hope that lawn mower will run.

Soon school will be out, fun or not is the question.

More work for mom, but happy kids have a suggestion.

They can hardly wait for vacation time,

They have one planned already.

The fishing, the swimming just hanging out,

The visit to see Aunt Betty.

We are thankful to our Heavenly Father and Jesus our Lord.

For the works of his hands and the beauty of his word.

If you haven’t noticed the beauty of May,

A stroll in the neighborhood will make your day.

Canton Harold - April 28, 1960: 

The Van Zandt County Fair Association will hold its first rodeo of the season Friday and Saturday nights, May 13 and 14.  The rodeo will be held at the rodeo arena on the fairgrounds north of Highway 64 and 243 intersections. Son Lide of Wills Point will furnish the stock for the two rodeo performances.

The rodeo will include bull riding, bareback riding, calf roping, bull dogging and barrel racing.  Those interested in entering the various events are asked to contact Dr. T. R. Keahey LO7- 4165 or L07-4625 or Son Lide.  The rodeo arena was constructed on the fairgrounds last year and was completed in time for the Van Zandt County Fair. Several rodeos have been held in the arena and all were highly successful.

Home coming time

What a beautiful thought

Enjoying old memories

If we lived as we ought.

We traveled long distances

We don’t mind the miles

Because the end of our journey

Means dear hugs and sweet smiles.

Good food on the table

Nothing is decoy

And each bite will be eaten

In the spirit of great joy.

There is another great home coming

No joy can compare

When all of our loved ones

Will surely be there.

In that one we will see Jesus

The thought makes me shout

He will bring with Him salvation

That is what life is all about.

LB 2016

"The future ain't what it used to be."

So said Yogi Berra, the famed New York Yankee as well known for his unintentionally humorous quotes and thought-provoking malaprops as for his prowess on a baseball diamond. The longer I live, the more I understand what Yogi was trying to say in that quote, and this is certainly the case within my chosen profession -- community banking.

Canton Harold- April 21, 1960: 

Van Zandt county stockmen are going to make an all-out effort to get the required number of signatures on a petition for a Bang’s Control Program, according to the announcement made by L. L. Burns, chairman of the county animal health committee, at the meeting Tuesday night, April 18, in Canton. Twenty-three people attending agreed to (1) contact everyone in their own community and asked them to sign the petition. A map of the county was cut and divided among the livestock men so they would know whom to contact in their section of the county:  (2) Set May 31 at the deadline for getting the entire county covered and required number of signatures for a type to control program.

The new floor is down.  The shelves are in place.  Most of the books are where they belong.  The Buchanan Room is ready to host meetings. 

The staff and volunteers are exhausted!  The Van Zandt County Library is open for business on the regular schedule, with all features back in place.

There’s A NAP for that!

I just had another 35^th birthday and it was the 49^th time. It was fun. In order for me to stay 35 years old every year, I need to pay attention to four simple things:

Water: Get addicted to it instead of sugar drinks.

Food: Eating 6 or more fresh or frozen fruits, veggies and nuts every day is a doable deal.

Canton Herald – April 14, 1960:

In a drive to raise $25,000 for a swimming pool got underway Monday not with his selection of drive members by composite group of local civic clubs at the school cafeteria.

T. Dean Brown, chairman of the pool Drive, announced that the funds drive workers will be Mrs. Jack Smith, Mrs. Jake Slaughter, Jake Taylor, Jake Slaughter, Lester Slayton, Norris Birdwell, Sam Hilliard, Curtis Hilliard, W. E. West, W. H. McCauley, John Owens, E. H. Cherry, Chick Chaney, Norman Butts, B. R. Mahaffey, T. R. Keahey and Jimmy Matthews.

At the meeting held Monday night the drive committee was handed names of citizens in Canton who they will contact within the next two weeks. The drive is expected to be completed by May 1.

Supreme Court rules in ‘one person, one vote’ case 

AUSTIN — On a unanimous vote of 8-0, the U.S. Supreme Court on April 4 affirmed that states may continue to draw legislative districts based on total population.

In the Texas case, Evenwel v. Abbott, the question presented to the high court on appeal from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas was whether the one-person, one-vote principle of the Fourteenth Amendment creates a “judicially enforceable right ensuring that the districting process does not deny voters an equal vote.”