In the territory of the state exterior to all counties now existing, no new counties shall be created with a less area than nine hundred square miles, in a square form, unless prevented by preexisting boundary lines. Their first state constitution was enacted in 1845. Texas is a free and independent state, subject only to the constitution of the united states. The first legislature assembled after the adoption of this constitution shall provide a mode of procedure by the attorney general and district or county attorneys, in the name and behalf of the state, to prevent and punish the demanding and receiving. Seventyfive of the members of the convention were democrats, fifteen, including six black men, were republicans. In fact, there was more debate over the education issue than any other. C iti i f t c tit ti f 1876criticisms of texas constitution of 1876 yremains a 19th century constitution that does provide adequate fifd 1 2 ihifoundation for stgoverning in the 21st century. Ericson, the delegates to the convention of 1875, southwestern historical quarterly 67 july 1963. The permanent university fund puf university of texas system. The headings to the individual sections of the texas constitution are, with a few exceptions. Amendments to the texas constitution since 1876 the portal. Because it was enacted mainly as a reaction to the real and perceived misuse of powers by the radical republican government, the original document placed tight restrictions on the powers of the government. Part of the tarlton law libraryjamail center for legal researchs texas constitutions 18241876 digital collection. This is findlaws hosted version of the constitution of the state of texas 1876.
We, the people of texas, in order to form a government, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence and general welfare. Learn texas constitution of 1876 with free interactive flashcards. The permanent university fund puf is one of our states most unique, important, and enduring competitive advantages. Printed at the news steam book and job establishment. Ray, director of the texas advisory commission on intergovernmental relations, states that the principal reason for the publication was to make the information available to the public. Constitutional convention of 1875 the handbook of texas. Framed by the constitutional convention of 1875, it was adopted february 15, 1876 by a vote of 6,606 to 56,652. The permanent university fund puf is a sovereign wealth fund created by the state of texas to fund public higher education within the state. The structure of the current constitution of texas constitution of 1876 is a preamble, 17 articles, and 491 amendments since 2015 2. Fully 409 amendments were approved by texas voters between 1876 and 2002, while 172 were rejected.
Texas constitution 1876 texas still operates under the 1876 constitution today. The powers of the government of the state of texas shall be divided into three distinct departments, each of which shall be confided to a separate body of magistracy. In that period the organic law of the state was altered three times, twice because of the exigencies of national reconstruction and a third time to satisfy the retrenchment impulses partially stimulated by the reconstruction experiment. The web site for the legislative reference library lrl has a constitutional amendment search and the texas legislative council offers a table of constitutional amendments since 1876 pdf, arranged numerically by article and section. Part of the tarlton law libraryjamail center for legal researchs texas constitutions 1824 1876 digital collection. The texas constitution preamble humbly invoking the blessings. Weaknesses and criticisms of the constitution of 1876 l excessive details l restricts state and local governments l has obsolete and contradictory language l 474 amendments due to changing needs l the amendment process l texas ranks fourth with 474 amendments through 2011. Constitution of the state of texas 1876 tarlton law library. The 1876 texas constitution, the fifth since statehood, had 289 sections organized into 17 articles. Constitution of 1876 remains the current charter for the state. The current texas constitution is the seventh constitution in texas history.
Article 1 bill of rights that the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare. Constitution of the state of texas 1876 leave a comment. Those which are legislative to one, those which are executive to another, and those which are judicial to another. Texas constitution texas legislative council texas. Constitutional change in texas during the reconstruction.
The texas legislative council publishes a comprehensive pdf list of all proposed. The constitution of the state of texas is the document that establishes the structure and function of the government of the u. Because of its tight restrictions, it has had to be amended hundreds of times and is now considered to be one of the most disorganized and confusing of all state constitutions. The preamble of the texas constitution of 1876 is a oneliner appealing for gods support to texans in establishing the constitution jamail center for legal research. The new constitution of 1876, which was adopted by a vote of fiftythree to eleven, was submitted to the people in an election on february 15, 1876. Article i bill of rights that the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare. Like other state constitutions, the texas constitution of 1876 was much more detailed than the u. This established the commissioners court as the administrative body of the county.
Texas constitution of 1876 flashcards and study sets quizlet. Amendments to the texas constitution since 1876, current through the november 3, 2015 constitutional amendment election one of 1,545 documents in the series. Democratic domination and a steady shift in interest away from the passions and issues of reconstruction set it. Weaknesses and criticisms of the constitution of 1876 l. It originally had 289 sections organized into 17 articles. Their current constitution is based upon the 1876 constitution and had been amended 483 times since then. It was framed by the constitutional convention of 1875 and adopted on february 15, 1876, by a vote of 6,606 to 56,652, and it remains the basic organic law of texas.
Texas is a free and independent state, subject only to the constitution of the united states, and the maintenance of our free institutions and the perpetuity of the union depend upon the preservation of the right of local selfgovernment, unimpaired to. Constitution of the state of texas, adopted by the constitutional convention, begun and held at the city of austin, on the sixth day of september, 1875. The original version of this 1876 constitution is viewable online on the university of texas school of law tarlton law library website at. Consequently, the state has been forced to amend the document continually on a piecemeal basis. This legislature showed no more understanding than the creators of the 1876 constitution did with regards to the success of the federal constitution. The texas constitution preamble humbly invoking the blessings of almighty god, the people of the state of texas, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Adopted by the constitutional convention begun in the city of austin, texas on september 6th, 1875, and finished november 24th, 1875. The legislature shall have power to create counties for the convenience of the people, subject to the following provisions. Text of the constitutions and foundational documents of the state of texas, with original document scans. After a wild session, the delegates adjourned without completing their work. Combined as a single state, texas and coahuila established a constitution in 1827. Feb 11, 2020 text of the constitutions and foundational documents of the state of texas, with original document scans. Texas constitution researchers, then and now, find this publication an invaluable resource. The present constitution adopted in 1876 required that each county have a commissioners court composed of the four precinct commissioners and the county judge. Constitution of the state of texas 1876 const findlaw. The current document was adopted on february 15, 1876, and is the seventh constitution in texas history including the mexican constitution.
Choose from 500 different sets of texas constitution of 1876 flashcards on quizlet. Although the document did contain an amendment process, it was so complex that. The texas constitution of 1876 is the fifth since statehood. Describe the evolution of texass previous constitutions and the historical events that. The constitution is the foundational governing document of the state of texas. The house of representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several. Since that time, they have had four newer state constitutions, 1861, 1866, 1869 and 1876.
The constitution of 1876 is the sixth constitution by which texas has. The current texas constitution took effect on february 15, 1876. Constitutions of texas 18241876 constitutions of texas. Efforts to overhaul the texas constitution have failed.
Manual labor poor house and farm, for taking care of, managing, employing. Describe how the constitution of 1876 addressed certain. However, the constitution of 1876 also created numerous independentlyelected county officers. Download the pdf version of the text click the image to view full size. The texas state legislature met as a committee of the whole in 1974 to create a replacement for the constitution of 1876. Their current constitution is based upon the 1876 constitution and had been. Several factors distinguished the period in texas politics from the adoption of a new constitution in 1876 to the final passage of sweeping changes in election laws in 1905. Article x of the texas constitution of 1876 covers railroad companies and the creation of the railroad commission of texas. Constitutions historical texas statutes and constitutions.
Any railroad corporation or association, organized under the law for the purpose, shall have the right to construct and operate a railroad between any points within this state, and to connect at the state line with railroads of other states. The 1876 constitution created three branches of government, with separa. The federal government later created the interstate commerce commission to regulate railroads, and eight of the nine sections all but section 2 of article x were repealed in 1969 as deadwood. The texas constitution does not contain a necessary and proper clause like the u. Per the preface since 1876, the legislature has proposed 656 constitutional amendments, and 653 have gone before texas voters. Ideally, a constitution should be a brief, flexible document that broadly defines. In 1868, another constitutional convention had to be called. Original intent of the texas constitution texas public policy. Constitution of 1876 the handbook of texas online texas. Handbook of texas article on the 1876 constitution. The current document was adopted on february 15, 1876, and is the seventh. Bill of rights that the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare.
Texas is a free and independent state, subject only to the constitution of the united states, and. Seth shepard mckay, making the texas constitution of 1876 philadelphia. The current texas constitution of 1876 was the result of great debate and contention. Use this page to navigate to all sections within the constitution of the state of texas. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. The federal government later created the interstate commerce commission to regulate railroads, and eight of the nine sections all but section 2. Moreover, the constitution is a lengthy document, drawing a word count of over 100,000 dye. Constitution of the state of texas 1876 const tx const art. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress of the united states, which shall consist of a senate and house of representatives. The constitution of 1876 is the sixth constitution by which texas has been governed since independence from mexico was achieved in 1836. The constitution of 1866 did not go far enough for the radical republicans in washington who were in charge of reconstruction in the south. Constitution of the state of texas, library of congress.
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