Texas Almanac, 1970-1971 Page: 92
[705] p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
92 TEXAS ALMANAC-1970-1971
Prehibilln was the major question before the public
during the administration of Gov. O. B. Celquitt (Jan.
17,1911-Jan. 19,1915).
A constitutional amendment for statewide prohibi-
tion had been submitted at an election Aug. 4,1887, and
fhad lost by a vote of 220,637 to 120,270. However,
prohibition sentiment spread rapidly as evidenced by
the success of the "drys" in local option elections.
in the Democratic primary, July 25,1908, the ques-
tion of submitting a prohibition amendment to the Con-
stitution had been submitted to popular vote-a proce-
dure that arose from legislative reluctance to assume
any responsibility in the bitter controversy. It carried
by 145,530 to 141,1, but the following Legislature
failed to submit the question to the people.
Colquitt's administration was notable for its econo-
my in state financial affairs, reform in the penal sys-
tem, prompt steps to protect the border along the Rio
Grande, which was menaced by revolution and lack of
stable government in Mexico, and by passage of the
first eight-hour labor law, the first law regulating num-
ber of. hours of women laborers, a child labor law,
workmen's compensation act, home rule act for cities
of more than 5,000 and judicial reforms.
Forlusonism
Prohibition was again the leading Issue in 1914 when
James E. Ferguson defeated Thomas H. Bali, 237,062 to
191,558, in the Democratic primary. But Ferguson's
personality and policies, which came to be known as
"Fergusoaism," became the issue before the end of his
administration (Jan. 19, 1915-Aug. 25, 1917) and re-
mained a leading issue in Texas politics until Mrs. Fer-
guson's defeat in the primaries of 1940.
in addition to opposing prohibition, Ferguson car-
ried in his platform demands for greater protection of
farm tenatrs against landlords, a state warehouse sys-
tem and other farm measures. Ferguson's platform,
which appealed to small and tenant farmers, was part-
ly enacted and partly nullified in courts. For 20 years,
it was the basis of popularity known as the "Ferguson
vest-pocket vote."
Ferguson defeated Charles H. Morris by 240,561 to
174611 in the 1916 election. Shortly after the beginning
of his second term, however, stffopposition arose to
Ferguson policies and Imhnpeachment charges were pre-
ferred against him in a special session, called by Gov-
ernor Ferguson himself, in August, 1917. Tried before
the Senate, the governor was found guilty on 10 of 21
charges and removed from office.
Lieut. Gev. William P. bby took the chair. Hob-
by's administration (Aug. 25, 1917-Jan. 18, 1921) contin-
ued through the remainder of that term and the follow-
ing term to which Hobby was elected. Although legally
barred from holding office, Ferguson ran against Hob-
by in the primary of 1918, but was defeated 461,479 to
217,012.
Texans in World War I
Almost from the beginning of participation of the
United States in World War I, in April, 1917, Texas
played a leading role in training men for military
service.
Texas and Texans came into the limelight during
the Wilson administration. Col. . a ouse became
the trusted adviser of the President. Two other Texans,
Albert S. Burlesn and Themas W. Gregory, were Post-
master General and Attorney General, respectively.
David F. Houston, a former Texan and ex-president of
the University of Texas, want from Missouri to serve,
first as Secretary of Agriculture and later as Secretary
of the Treasury.
More than 200,000 Texans saw service during World
War . The mild winters and dry climatebrought Texas
some of the principal training camps including Camp
Travis at San Antonio, Camp Bowie at Fort Worth,
Camp McArlhur at Waco, and Camp ILog at Houston.
Texas was also a center of training for army aviation,
with Kelly Field at San Antonio, Love Field at Dallas,
Elingen Field at Houston, and several other smaller
fields. The Thirty-sixth and Ninetieth, Texas divisions,
saw service at the front and there were several Texas
companies in the Forty-second. Fart Sam otiton at
San Antonio and Fort Bliss at El Paso were large mili-
tary centers.
Under Governor Hobby the compulsory school at-
tendance law was strengthened, free textbooks for
public schools were prwldd, aMdor rural schools was
increased and the general scholastic apportlomtiwas raised from $7.50 to $14.50, a new high In state
support of schools. An act of Legislature, upheld by
the Supreme Court made woman suffra kl. Texas
women voted first fn 1918, prior to adoption of the Nine-
teenth (Woman Suffrage) Amendment to the United
States Constitution.
Middle West Texas suffered bad drouths in 1917-
1918. Governor Hobby was Instrumental in obtaining
loans for the farmers. The law establishing the State
Board of Control, the so-called "opn port leW," aimed
at violence in longshoremen's strikes in port cities, and
the law establishing a quarantine against pink boll-
worm (a cotton pest) and providing funds to pay farm-
ers who suffered damage, were among laws passed
under Gov. Hobby.
Prohibition
A prohibition amendment to the State Constitution
was submitted by the Thirty-sixth Legislature and
adopted at an election May 24, 1919, inwhich the vote
was 148,982 for and 130,907 against. In the meantime,
however, the national prohibition amendment had been
submitted, ald ratified by the Legislature of Texas,
Feb. 28, 1918.
Gev. Pat M. Neff (Jan. 18, 1921-Jan. 20,.1925)won
the Democratic primaries of 1920 in a heated race with
Joseph Weldon Bailey, Robert E. Themaon and Ban
F. Looney. Bailey, who had come out of retirement to
private life after his resignation from the United States
Senate in 1913, led Neff by 2,522 votes in the first pri-
mary. However, the election law required a seond pri-
mary between the two leading contestants In the first
primary where no clear majority was obtained earlier.
Neff defeated Bailey in the second primary, 264,075 to
184,702. Neff defeated Fred S. Roers, 316,00 t 195,941,
for re-election in 1922.
Neff s administration was notable for its educational
and prison surveys, and the creation of a ison advi-
sory welfare commission. He originateda: h1elate
parks movement and appointed the first Shtae P arks
Board after it was established by the Legislature. He
also issued the first official program for a Texas State
Centennal to be held in 1936. He declaredmartial law
to suppress crime and to handle a railroad strike situa-
tion. He reversed the liberal pardon policy of some
former governors.
1925 to World War It
Texas elected Its first, and to date only, woman gev-
eraor as the second quarter of the 20th Century began.
Mr. Miriam A. Ferguson ran because impeachment
barred her husband, James E. Fergson, from run-
ning again. He dominated her two, nonconsecutive
terms (Jan. 20, 1925-Jan. 17, 1927 and Jan. 17, 1933-
Jan. 15, .193).
Her opposition to the secret Ku Klux Klan was the
dominant Issue of "Mi" Ferguson's first campaign.
Named for, but unlike, the Reconstruction organiza-
tion, the Ku Klux Klan was powerful in the 1920s, sup-
porting Felix D. Rberltson in the 1925 governor's race.
Mrs. Ferguson won. Her admInistration featured econ-
om end a record nmber of pardoe foar convicts.
Crusading young attorney general, Dan Moody,
defeated Mrs. Frguson's bid for re-election. His term
(Jan. 17, 1927-Jan. 20, 1931) featured prohibition en-
forcement, education and highway Improvement.
ev. Ross S. Strling (Jan. 20, 131-Jan. 1 1933)
had served as Mloody's Highway Commission chair-
man. The State Highway Commission of Texas had
been established in 1917 and, intermittenltly, had-done
effective work. However, it wasunder the chairman-
ship of Sterling In theadministration of Moody that a
really effective and consistent highway program was
established. Sterling followed Moody's pollcy of nonpol-
itlcal appointmemts to fie comrssian.
For his first term Stirling had defeated Mrs. Fer-
guson in tirst andsecondhprimaries. In 1932, Mirs. Fer-
guson ran again and, after leading In the first prl-
Mn. Miriam A. Faeoi's second administration
(Jan. 17,19 i38-Jan. 15, 1935 ean durin a deprsslon.
The state'sfinanclal affairsar improved despite the
growing pressure for euendFltres due tothedpres-
sion. However, a new recedent was set by an amend-
ment aumthorizlng dOi 0 0 of "bead boards" tofed
the hungry.. :This was the first state bonis i under
the print Cunstitution. The first ofi two enliments
repall quor 'uil lI was adopted'durig Mrs.
F 's administration, permtltingsale of 32 ppt-
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Texas Almanac, 1970-1971, book, 1970~; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth113810/m1/95/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.