Describe the evolution of texass previous constitutions and the historical events that influenced them. The 1876 constitution created three branches of government, with separa. 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. One the reasons stated in the texas declaration of independence was the failure of that government to. Section 3 as well as section 1 of article vii, which mandates the creation of an efficient system of public schools, were thoroughly and bitterly debated during the convention of 1875. Download the pdf version of the text click the image to view full size. Constitution, therefore making it the second longest state constitution in america 2nd only to alabamas. 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. Constitutional change in texas during the reconstruction.
Amendments to the texas constitution since 1876, current. The texas constitution last rewritten in 1876 but repeatedly amended since then has morphed into a bloated relic of postcivil war southern politics. 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. We, the people of texas, in order to form a government, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence and general welfare. 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. Original intent of the texas constitution texas public policy. Oct 09, 2019 the constitutions articles and amendments may be downloaded as pdf, microsoft word, or plain text files.
The texas constitution does not contain a necessary and proper clause like the u. The constitution of the state of texas is the document that describes the structure and function of the government of the u. Constitution of the state of texas 1876 leave a comment. The texas legislative council publishes a comprehensive pdf list of all proposed.
In 2018 the section headings to the constitution, which are not officially part of the text of the constitution, were revised to reflect amendments and to modernize the language. The files consist of execution summaries by the governors general counsel and summaries by the texas board of pardons and paroles bpp. Texas is a free and independent state, subject only to the constitution of the united states, and. Framed by the constitutional convention of 1875, it was adopted february 15, 1876 by a vote of 6,606 to 56,652. Like other state constitutions, the texas constitution of 1876 was much more detailed than the u. Seventyfive of the members of the convention were democrats, fifteen, including six black men, were republicans. According to the texas general land office, the texas constitution of 1876 set. Infographic also available to download as a pdf file. Define federalism and discuss the difficulties in sharing power between the state and national government. This is findlaws hosted version of the constitution of the state of texas 1876. The constitution of 1866 did not go far enough for the radical republicans in washington who were in charge of reconstruction in the south.
Amendments to the texas constitution since 1876 the portal. Texas permanent school fund distributions to the available. More so, the constitution of 1876 was greatly influenced by farmers and was underlined by its belief that a government could avoid surpluses by curtailing what it can do dye. Text of all amendments added to the texas constitution since 1876. The constitutional convention of 1875 was the result of the determination of the democrats of texas to eliminate the radical constitution of 1869. Federal constitution of the united mexican states 1824 spanish text. The texas constitution of 1876 was drawn out of these principles decentralization of authority, fragmented chain of command and public opinion dye. Amendments to the texas constitution since 1876 the. Constitution of the state of texas 1876 tarlton law library. 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. Federal constitution of the united mexican states 1824 english text. Texas constitution 1876 texas still operates under the 1876 constitution today. Faced with the threat of imminent mexican attack, they incorporated large sections of the united states constitution along with some mexican law.
Constitution of the state of texas 1876 const findlaw. Constitution of the republic of texas 1836 constitution of texas 1845 constitution des staates texas 1845 german text. The constitution of 1876 stipulated that certain lands and all proceeds from the sale of thes e lands should also constitute the psf. Table of contents preamble i ii iii iv v vi vii viii ix x xi xii xiii xiv xv xvi xvii. Education was so important to texans, that they were willing to fight for it. As the trend line for other states shows, state constitutions early in u. The current document was adopted on february 15, 1876, and is the seventh including the mexican constitution constitution in texas history.
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. Feb 11, 2020 text of the constitutions and foundational documents of the state of texas, with original document scans. Those which are legislative to one, those which are executive to another, and those which are judicial to another. Texas constitutions 18241876 presents the historic constitutions and constitutional convention materials of texas spanning 18241876.
Amendments to the texas constitution since 1876 for more information. The texas constitution of 1876 is the fifth since statehood. Constitution of 1876 the handbook of texas online texas. The 1876 texas constitution, the fifth since statehood, had 289 sections. Mar 09, 2020 between 1824 and 1876, nations drafted founding documents which established the entity of texas and defined the rights of its citizens and the powers of government. Bill of rights that the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare. In 1836, texans declared independence from the republic of mexico. The original version of this 1876 constitution is viewable online on the university of texas school of law tarlton law library website at. Section 30 of article xvi of the texas constitution, an original part of the 1876 texas constitution, provides that the term of office of all offices not otherwise fixed by the constitution is two years. Section 3 of article vii of the 1876 texas constitution severely restricted state taxation for school purposes. The texas state law library serves the legal research needs of the texas supreme court, the texas court of criminal appeals, the texas attorney general, other state agencies and commissions, and the citizens of texas.
Constitutions historical texas statutes and constitutions. 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. Manual labor poor house and farm, for taking care of, managing, employing. Amendments to the texas constitution since 1876, current through the november 3, 2015 constitutional amendment election one of 1,545 documents in the series. We will then survey how the texas constitution has evolved. Printed at the news steam book and job establishment. Part of the tarlton law libraryjamail center for legal researchs texas constitutions 18241876 digital collection. Explain how texass current constitution reflects the preferences of texans today. The texas constitution preamble humbly invoking the. Read this complete constitution of the state of texas 1876 art.
Article 1 bill of rights that the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare. It originally had 289 sections organized into 17 articles. As a result, the state of texas has a constitution still in force that was originally written in 1876 that does not have the broad language and elasticity of the federal constitution frantz 125. The headings to the individual sections of the texas constitution are, with a few exceptions.
Authority of the legisla ture to permit casino games of chance without a constitutional amendment rq2102 article iii, section 47, of the texas constitution provides that the. Constitution of texas 1861 constitution of texas 1866 constitution of the state of west texas 1868 constitution of texas 1869 constitution of texas 1876. Dec 23, 2019 amendments to the texas constitution since 1876 pdf. Liens of mechanics, artisans and material men on westlaw findlaw codes are provided courtesy of thomson reuters westlaw, the industryleading online legal research system. The structure of the current constitution of texas constitution of 1876 is a preamble, 17 articles, and 491 amendments since 2015 2. Study 32 terms government extra 4 flashcards quizlet. During the texas revolution, delegates to the convention of 1836 hastily drafted a new constitution for the fledgling republic of texas. A strong movement to have the changes in that document made by a legislative joint committee and then submitted to the voters failed in the house of representatives because of a belief that the. After a wild session, the delegates adjourned without completing their work. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades.
For each proposed amendment that will appear on the november 5, 2019, ballot, analyses of proposed constitutional amendments contains the ballot language, an analysis, and the text of the joint resolution proposing the amendment. Texas constitution texas legislative council texas. Constitutional convention of 1875 the handbook of texas. Weaknesses and criticisms of the constitution of 1876 l. 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. These are execution files that the office of the general counsel for texas governor rick perry created to track the cases of death row inmates and document actions by the courts and the governor through appeals, requests for stays of execution, or clemency. 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. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, qualifications, and returns of its own. Office ofthe attorney general liberty and justice for. The 1876 texas constitution, the fifth since statehood, had 289 sections organized into 17 articles. The opening of the handwritten texas constitution of 1876.
Constitutions of texas 18241876 constitutions of texas. Portable document format pdf, plain text, and microsoft word versions are available. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The texas constitution of 1876 provided for all of the following, except. Constitution of the state of coahuila and texas 1827 english text. Identify problems with the current texas constitution.
Constitution of the state of texas 1876 article ii. Report summarizing amendments to the texas constitution from 1876 through the november 20 constitutional amendment election, prepared by the research division of the texas legislative council. Constitution of texas wikimili, the free encyclopedia. The texas constitution preamble humbly invoking the blessings of almighty god, the people of the state of texas, do ordain and establish this constitution. The texas constitution is current through the amendments approved by voters in november 2019. Texans, who construed public schools as mentioned in. The constitution of 1876 is the current texas constitution. Study 49 terms texas government chapters 1,2, and 4. Texas is a free and independent state, subject only to the constitution of the united states.
Handbook of texas article on the 1876 constitution. Constitution of the state of coahuila and texas 1827 english text constitution of the state of coahuila and texas 1827 spanish text constitution or form of government of the state of texas 1833. Which of the following is a step in the policymaking cycle. The permanent university fund puf university of texas system. Demetrio rodriguez files a suit against the san antonio independent school.
The constitution of 1876 is the sixth constitution by which texas has been governed since independence from mexico was achieved in 1836. These founding documents legally established the entity of texas, set forth the rights. A strong movement to have the changes in that document made by a legislative joint committee and then submitted to the voters failed in the house of representatives because of a belief that the electorate. In 1876, the texas constitution set aside land in west texas to support the university of texas and. As referenced we, the people of texas, in order to form a government, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence and general welfare. Use this page to navigate to all sections within the constitution of the state of texas. 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. Amendments to the texas constitution since 1876 pdf. The texas constitution of 1869, the purpose of this constitution is to represent a radical departure from past and future documents and reflected the centeralization aspirations of the national republicans. Amendments to the texas constitution since 1876, current through. Constitution of the state of texas 1876 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. Texas constitution is one of the largest state constitutions in the u.
The constitution of the state of texas is the document that establishes the structure and. Texas constitution texas legal research web resources. Liberal arts instructional technology services, college of liberal arts, university of texas at austin. Deprivation of life, liberty, etc due course of law on westlaw findlaw codes are provided courtesy of thomson reuters westlaw, the industryleading online legal research system. Below are a selection of resources available in the librarys collection and online pertaining to various constitutions. Constitution of the state of coahuila and texas 1827 spanish text. Text of constitutional amendments to the texas constitution from 1876 to 2015. The current texas state constitution took effect in 1876. It is the seventh constitution in the states history and the fifth constitution since texas achieved statehood. In 1868, another constitutional convention had to be called.
891 115 746 524 1217 1001 401 727 510 1020 36 486 811 943 811 630 277 498 91 309 916 1094 1132 31 438 675 876 1020