Texas Constitution Essay

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Republican Texas and Its Problematic Constitution

Patricia Obinku

Spring 2018 GOVT 2306-86086
Professor Mian Hayaud-Din
1190 Words From the time the Texas Constitution was constructed, and still until today, a general distrust and dislike for a strong government presence manifested itself in the form of articles and amendments. Looking at the relationship between those who wrote the initial constitution, those who amended it, and its citizen whom ratify it, it may become apparent why there is so much discord, why there have been many calls to rewrite the constitution, and why those attempts have failed.

Two constitutions have been known to the state of Texas. The constitution of 1836, drawn up after independence from Mexico, …show more content…

A new constitution written in 1845 was double the size and meant to prepare Texas for admittance into the United States of America, which is simply called today the Texas Constitution. "Seven different state constitutions have governed Texas…The current Texas Constitution is commonly known as the Constitution of 1876…it has been amended 474 times in seventy different ratification elections" (Boatright 2). Still, despite its many changes one thing has rang true throughout-Texas dislikes a strong government presence and is very resistant to change. Republican Governor E. J. Davis is perhaps one of the most prominent causes for Texas' strong stance and according to modern day republicans for very good reason too. Before his election in 1870, 1869 saw another form of the Texas Constitution ratified which allowed the governor to exercise most state powers, gave more time for a governor to stay in office, and a host of other decisions which had no hint that Texans distrusted a centralized government. When Governor Davis, a former Union soldier, found his new home in a confederate office it wasn't surprising that "his service…was …show more content…

Davis in 1874, it came as no surprise that in 1875 Texans were eager to once again rewrite the constitution in such a way that the governor could never again hold most of the power to use and abuse as he saw fit. A democratic group called the Texas Grangers, which had started forming in 1873, championed the new constitution. By the time the Grangers were done local government retained the power, the governor's term had been shortened, officials' salaries slashed, appointments by order of votes, and a requirement of segregation. The constitution of 1877 catered to white men, their fears, and their wants so despite outcry from African Americans, republicans, and many other in 1876 the constitution was ratified. It is this constitution that stands today, albeit with several amendments attached. Nevertheless, having such a lengthy constitution which is centered around desiring the least amount of government interference possible is conflicting. It is conflicting especially in Texas because second to only state taxes, grants from the federal government is the largest source of revenue. With Texas' growing population, large number of seniors, and citizens in poverty it doesn't appear that the need for federal assistance is going to decrease any time soon. Since 1975 the dependence on federal aid has steadily increased, reaching a peak during the recession at 41% now settling down around 35%--still showing a substantial

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