James E. Ferguson
James E. Ferguson was an American Democratic Party politician who served as Governor of Texas from January the 19th 1915 to August the 25th 1917.[1] Prior to standing as governor, Ferguson had gone through prep school, run a farm and served as president of the Temple State Bank. According to one study, “He was part demagogue and appealed to his audience in rural, earthy language which belief his education and intelligence.”[2]
His tenure was notable for a wide range of social reforms.[3] 3 new eleemosynary institutions were set up, and a law was passed appropriating 1 million dollars for county schools. A compulsory school attendance law was also enacted.[4] In addition, a number of labor laws were introduced,[5][6] along with a law that provided cash benefits to widows with children.[7]
Also of significance was the passage of a farm tenant bill.[8] The rent paid by tenant farmers was curbed by this law.[9] This law provided for the rent on Texas farms to be limited to one-fourth of the cotton and one-third of the grain produced. In the Senate, it was accepted by a vote of 23 to 4. Similarly, in the House, it was accepted by 100 to 24. According to one study, however, the law “was not rigidly enforced and was declared unconstitutional in 1921.”[10]
In 1920 Ferguson left the Democratic Party and established his own American Party to stand for the Presidency of the United States. Ferguson put forward a platform that opposed the League of Nations and votes for women. It did include a number of progressive proposals. Amongst these included government loans to small farmers, “living wages” for labor, and generous pensions for disabled soldiers. 2 years later, he returned to the Democratic Party.[11] Ferguson stood as a candidate for the United States Senate, but was unsuccessful.[12]
Nevertheless, Ferguson continued to be actively involved in politics for many years. In 1924, Ferguson ran his wife's campaign for the governorship, who won. He did this as he was unable to run under his own name. However, they lost a reelection bid two years later as a result of new scandals which concerned political patronage abuses and excessive pardons. In 1932, however, he conducted his wife's successful campaign to become governor of Texas a second time.[13]
He passed away on September the 21st 1944.[14]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Materials on State Government Volume 1 By Wilbourn E. Benton, 1956, P.316
- ↑ Texas, a Modern History by David G. McComb, 1989, P.131
- ↑ General laws of the State of Texas. (Includes details of various laws introduced during Ferguson's time as governor)
- ↑ American Demagogues: twentieth century. With an introduction by Allan Nevins, 1959, by Reinhard Henry Luthin, P.153
- ↑ Labor Legislation of 1915 : Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, No. 186, P.385-392
- ↑ Labor Legislation of 1917 : Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, No. 244, P.327-333
- ↑ Labor Legislation of 1917 : Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, No. 244, P.328-329
- ↑ General laws of the State of Texas yr.1915 mo.JAN P.76-78
- ↑ The Governors of Texas by Ross Phares, 1999, P.133
- ↑ Texas politics, 1906-1944; with special reference to the German counties by Seth Shepard McKay, 1952, P.61
- ↑ American Demagogues: twentieth century. With an introduction by Allan Nevins, 1959, by Reinhard Henry Luthin, P.164-165
- ↑ James E. Ferguson biography
- ↑ James E. Ferguson biography
- ↑ James E. Ferguson biography