Author:
Kris Seago
Subject:
Government/Political Science
Material Type:
Full Course
Level:
Academic Lower Division
Provider:
Austin Community College
Tags:
  • ACC Liberal Arts
  • ACC OER
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution
    Language:
    English
    Media Formats:
    Text/HTML

    The Texas Constitution of 1876

    Overview

    The Texas Constitution of 1876

    Learning Objectives

    By the end of this section, you will be able to:

    • Understand the Constitution of 1876’s role in Texas 

    Introduction

    This section discusses the Constitution of 1876’s role in Texas.

    The Texas Constitution of 1876

    Texas Constitution of 1876
    Figure 2.11 The 1876 Texas Constitution document, which has been fully photographed, reprinted, and digitized, is stored in the Lorenzo De Zavala State Archives and Library Building near the Texas Capitol in Austin. Image Credit: Public Domain

    Texas Democrats gained control of Congress in 1873 and decided it was time to draft a new constitution for Texas. The Texas Constitutional Convention of 1875 met in Austin with the purpose of replacing the Constitution of 1869; it was believed that the new constitution should restrict the state government and hand the power back to the people.

    Some examples of how the government was restricted were:

    • Legislative sessions moved from annual to biennial sessions
    • Creation of a plural executive
    • Mandated a balanced budget
    • State Judges would be elected by the people
    • The people would vote on the ratification of amendments

    The structure of the current constitution of Texas (Constitution of 1876) is a Preamble, 17 Articles, and 491 Amendments (Since 2015)3. The Texas Constitution does not contain a “necessary and proper clause” like the U.S. Constitution, therefore making it the second-longest state constitution in America (2nd only to Alabama’s).

     

    You Might Be Wondering...

    Why is the Texas Constitution So Dang Long?

    Find out from TexPlainer at the Texas Tribune.

     

    Table 2.2 Articles of the Texas Constitution of 1876

    Articles

    Description

    Article 1: Bill of Rights

    The Texas Constitution's Bill of Rights Similar civil liberties and civil rights as in the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights

     

    Article 2: The Powers of the Government

    Establishes three branches of government with separation of powers

    Article 3: Legislative Department

    Specifics about the Texas Legislature

    Article 4: Executive Department

    Specifics about the plural executive

    Article 5: Judicial Department

    Specifics about the Texas Judicial system

    Article 6: Suffrage

    Forbids the following from voting:

    -any non-US citizen,

    -any non-registered Texas voter,

    -any convicted felon who has not completed their sentence, or

    -any person deemed mentally incompetent by the courts.

     

    Article 7: Education

     

    Mandates an "efficient" free public school system. Established the Permanent School Fund

    Article 8: Taxation and Revenue

    Places limits on the raising and spending of public funds

    Article 9: Counties

    Authorizes the Texas Legislature to create county governments

    Article 10: Railroads

    Regulates the railroad system

    Article 11: Municipal Corporations

    Specifics regarding local governments, including empowering them to tax, and how to charter cities

    Article 12: Private Corporations

    Specifics regarding public businesses, including how they would be regulated

    Article 13: Spanish and Mexican Land Titles

    Specifics on which land with previous claims would become state property

    Article 14: Public Lands and Land Office

    Established the Land Office which regulated land titles

    Article 15: Impeachment

    Specifics on how to remove a public official from office

    Article 16: General Provisions

    Miscellaneous regulations, ie., forbidding the legislature from printing money, forbidding U.S. public officials from holding a state office

    Article 17: Mode of Amending the Constitution of this State

    2/3rds proposal from the legislature

    Registered voters vote on approval. With a majority vote, the amendment is ratified.

     

     

    Licensing and Attribution

    CC LICENSED CONTENT, ORIGINAL

    Revision and Adaptation. Authored by: Kris S. Seago. License: CC BY: Attribution