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Texas Constitution Of 1876 Essay

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The Texas Constitution of 1876 is the constitution that still governs Texas today and is the 6th constitution to govern Texas since its independence from Mexico in 1836. This constitution was drafted after the end of the Reconstruction policies which had been in place since the Civil War ended. In 1873, the Democrats regained control of the state government from the Radical Republicans and immediately wanted to draft a new constitution. They wanted to replace the Constitution of 1869. In 1875, delegates met in Austin for a constitutional convention. . Many of the delegates at the constitutional convention of 1875 represented agricultural interests. There was a group of white southern farmers who were members of the Patrons of Husbandry, also known as the Grange, which helped to write the new constitution. They were interested in placing restrictions on the government and supported conservative constitutional measures. …show more content…

Davis, led to the decisions to limit the power of the Govenor. The Constitution of 1876 created multiple executive offices that would divide power among several elected officials. These offices included the lieutenant governor, a comptroller, an attorney general, and a treasurer. The Constitution of 1876 attempted to restore economic stability to Texas as well as give governmental control to the people. It was a restrictive document and limited the power and authority of the different branches of government. To limit the legislature, legislative sessions are allowed to meet every other year which makes governing such a large state very difficult. Another area where The Texas Constitution of 1876 limits is the judicial branch. A dual-court system was created as well as requiring all judges, with the exception of some municipal courts, to be elected by popular

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