However, the date of retrieval is often important. https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/ferguson-impeachment, "Ferguson Impeachment Ouida Ferguson Nalle, The Fergusons of Texas, or "Two Governors for the Price of One": A Biography of James Edward Ferguson and His Wife (San Antonio: Naylor, 1946). The charges were then sent to the state Senate for trial. He was replaced by William P. Hobby after the Texas House of Representatives found him guilty in ten of twenty-one charges. Amplify your impact and donate now. Encyclopedia.com. by Nicole Shealy Jordan, Barbara Charline The Legislature then came back into session to consider impeachment, an attempt Ferguson immediately condemned. Five of the articles sustained by the Senate charged Ferguson with the misapplication of public funds, three related to his quarrel with the University, one declared that he had failed properly to respect and enforce the banking laws of the state, and one charged that he had received $156,500 in currency from a source that he refused to reveal. Impeached provides a new examination of the rise and fall of Ferguson's political fortunes, offering a focused look at how battles over economic class, academic freedom, women's enfranchisement, and concentrated political power came to be directed toward one politician. But the mere fact that Ferguson had been impeached and made ineligible to hold any office of trust or profit under the state did not in any sense remove him from the field of Texas politics. Ma placed a distant fifth. Elected in 1914 and re-elected in 1916, he faced 21 articles of impeachment and resigned during the trial in the Senate on September 24, 1917, one day before the Senate voted to remove him from office and disqualify him from holding office again. You can cancel at any time. Join us! Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. In 1916 Ferguson's reelection seemed certain. At the same time, officials had begun looking into Fergusons finances. 1. so that gubernatorial elections will not be influenced by a presidential election 2. so that candidates cannot run for governor and a federal office at the same time 3. so that voters will not become overwhelmed by too many candidates in one year 4. because Texas happened to become part of the US during an off-year He had been an opponent of Ferguson for the Democratic party's nomination for governor in 1914.[11]. He started his own newspaper that fall, Ferguson Forum, to promote his views that the impeachment was illegitimate. Donations by CCWH members and other patrons support CCWH awards and initiatives. The report concluded that Hall had a legitimate reason for having the documents in question. Double your gift when you give by 6 p.m. Thursday. Though as of this writing, three presidents have been impeached, none have ever been removed from office. The policy of state aid to rural schools was begun, and a rather timid law requiring compulsory school attendance was passed. Dr. Ken Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan. This independence made him critical of existing policies, earning him sufficient popular support to win office, but also the consequent wrath of the establishment that could have protected him from investigation. An overview by John R. Lundberg offers a comprehensive survey of the impeachment process. "Ma" Ferguson became the second female governor in the United States, with Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming being the first. Ma placed a distant fifth. Jim Ferguson got in trouble for throwing his weight around, and for using the publics money as a personal slush fund. Gulf of Mexico warming at faster rate than global ocean, study finds, As Texas STAAR test goes fully online, teachers feel defeated, Texas Education Agency projects confidence, Texas Standard for Feb. 23, 2023: Why many cotton farmers arent planting as much this year. Why was Governor James E. Ferguson impeached and convicted in 1917? In 1930 he conducted the unsuccessful campaign of his wife for the governorship, and in 1932 he conducted her successful campaign for the same office. The Constitution gives the House power to impeach the president, officials appointed by the president (including cabinet officers) and judges. Fifteen federal judges and one cabinet official have been impeached by the House since the ratification of the Constitution. 1914 campaign literature in which Ferguson fires back against criticisms from his 'dry' opponent, Thomas H. Ball, and others in the prohibition faction. The chairman of the investigating committee, William H. Bledsoe of Lubbock, called for impeachment. Almost a century later, the Ferguson impeachment presents both striking similarities and key differences to the ongoing saga involving University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall. Though no Texas official has been impeached and removed from office at the state level since Ferguson, Texas politics has hardly been scandal-free. Dictionary of American History. he was accused of misuse of public funds following his call for a special legislative session When a governor is removed from office, resigns, or dies or becomes incapacitated while in office, who becomes governor? The Senate, sitting as a High Court of Impeachment, spent three weeks considering the charges and finally convicted the governor on ten . Governor have not acted, then by proclamation of the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate. The accusations, apparently true, were typical of the corruption, graft, and manipulations of American public life. Even his former political allies couldnt find him innocent in the face of such damning evidence and his own indefensible behavior. When his reasoning was questioned, he would respond, I am governor of Texas. The Constitution gives the House power to impeach the president, officials appointed by the president (including cabinet officers), and judges. Both women followed husbands who had served earlier. Ross Phares, The Governors of Texas (Gretna, Louisiana: Pelican, 1976). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Carillo in 1975. Nine years later, Ferguson died of a stroke. He loaned himself so much money that he practically bankrupted his own bank. Soon the talk of impeachment is echoing through the halls of the Capitol. Oklahoma has impeached and removed two governors, and West Virginia impeached four members of its State Supreme Court at the same time in 2018. It proved his undoing. Winds light and variable.. His law practice did not require all of his time, so Ferguson expanded his interests to include real estate and insurance and later turned his attention to banking. In 1924, unable to run under his own name, he ran his wife's campaign for the governorship against Judge Felix Robertson, the candidate endorsed by the Ku Klux Klan. In 1917, barely into his second term as governor of Texas, James E. Ferguson was impeached, convicted, and removed from office. He claimed to be painstakingly honest; he was an embezzler. Oklahoma has impeached and removed two governors, and West Virginia impeached four members of its State Supreme Court at the same time in 2018. 2020 Census Making An Invisible Population Visible, Lyceum Poll Finds Bernie Sanders Most Likely Democrat To Beat Trump In Texas, One Texans Journey to Understanding His Identity as a Queer Muslim, In West Texas, Knowing Your Address Can Be The Difference Between Life And Death. Some legislators justified the impeachment on the grounds that Hall did not disclose several lawsuits that he was involved in when he originally completed his Regent background check. Only two elected officials in the history of Texas have ever been successfully impeached. He liked to say he was no city slicker and no college dude. A government doesnt require educated fools to run properly. Mrs. Ferguson served as the first lady of Texas during the gubernatorial terms of her husband (1915-17), who was impeached during his second administration. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Her most recent publications include contributions to Texas Women: Their Histories, Their Lives and Discovering Texas History. Carrillospent three years in a federal penitentiary. But the mere fact that Ferguson had been impeached and made ineligible to hold any office of trust or profit under the state did not in any sense remove him from the field of Texas politics. Found in volume 15,291 (available at govinfo). Hall updated Governor Rick Perry's office in April 2013 with the full list. months before, both the House and the Senate had refused to sustain charges against him, and his removal from office was far from certain when the legislature convened in special session. Ferguson was the only "wet" candidate in the Democratic primary and garnered all of the anti-prohibitionist votes over a plurality of "dry" candidates. The framers considered impeachment an important check on the power of the presidency and against corruption. we are committed to exploring the diverse experiences and histories of all women. Before the process could be completed, Ferguson resigned from office, contending that the legislative action against him was a kangaroo court. Farmer Jim wasnt even much of a farmer, though he owned a few farms and was incredibly loyal to farmers. Tags Ferguson's attack against Mayes resulted in a drive by the legislature to impeach Ferguson. But it is Hall not his political patron, Perry who would be targeted for possible impeachment. Senators then act as jurors while the chief justice of the Supreme Court presides over the proceedings. In 1917, barely into his second term as governor of Texas, James E. Ferguson was impeached, convicted, and removed from office. In order for an official to be impeached, articles of impeachment must be brought by the Texas House of Representatives. Against a lawsuit filed to prevent the Texas Democratic Party from listing him on the primary ballot, Ferguson argued that his impeachment trial ended without a conviction or judgment because he resigned his office before the Senate decided the case. Lewis L. Gould, Progressives and Prohibitionists: Texas Democrats in the Wilson Era (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1973; rpt., Austin: Texas State Historical Association, 1992). The Texas Legislative Code governs the process by which the Texas State Legislature can be brought into special session to address an impeachment proceeding. Two years later they lost a reelection bid amid new scandals concerning excessive pardons and political patronage abuses. The Legislature is aghast at the meddling with the flagship state university. The reason he called the special session was because he wanted to address the UT budget, but they impeached him instead. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. I dont care who you are.. In July 1917, he was indicted for misappropriation of funds. The question was eventually carried into the courts, where the judgment of the Court of Impeachment was sustained. Barred from state office, he ran for president in 1920 on the American Party ticket. With strong support from progressive and anti-Prohibition forces, "Farmer Jim" was elected governor of Texas in 1914. 2] THE IMPEACHMENT OF JAMES E. FERGUSON I85 there, was immediately converted to the legal profession. As a result of his actions, in 1917, Ferguson became the only Texas governor impeached and removed from office. James Ferguson. James Ferguson was a banker from Temple who would become governor in 1914 - famous, or infamous, as the only Texas governor to face impeachment. Ferguson cleverly resigned, claiming then that the Senate couldnt uphold an impeachment for someone who wasnt actually in office. Bruce A. Glasrud is professor emeritus of history at California State University, East Bay, and retired dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Sul Ross State University. Hilder submitted the report to the legislative committee. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. StrongJanuary 29, 202010:48 amArts & Culture, Stories From Texas, Bain News Service /Wikimedia Commons [Public domain]. The Senate removed Ferguson from office by a vote of 25-3. Landowners were assured, however, that they need not be alarmed by the proposal, as it would benefit all concerned. FERGUSON IMPEACHMENT FERGUSON IMPEACHMENT. She won that and the general election,[2] saying that she intended to rely on her husband for advice. 4. The letter claimed that Winkler was the best person for the job. Kay Reed Arnold then follows the Ferguson story into the halls of academia at the University of Texaswhich Ferguson threatened to closesparking a fierce response by faculty, alumni, students, and, especially, the Womens Committee for Good Government. Jim Pa Ferguson became the first person in Texas to be impeached. Connally, John Bowden, Jr. Ferguson was indicted on nine charges in July 1917. The prohibitionists held an elimination convention and pledged their support to Thomas H. Ball of Houston. The conviction forbade Ferguson to hold "any office of honor, trust, or profit" in Texas. Despite his resignation, the State Senate voted 25-3 to convict, which meant that Ferguson could not seek another public office in Texas. If the Senate is not in session, there are four ways by which it may be convened.[7]. Has Austin Eliminated All Restrictions On People Experiencing Homelessness? Dictionary of American History. The Senate can call witnesses to testify and vote to convict with a two-thirds majority vote. We help women historians thrive through events, resources, and community. He later ran anyway, claiming that he had resigned before he was convicted. The entire process is substantially the same in Texas for elected officials, as it is for most of the other states. With charges growing against Ferguson, the House of Representatives drew up 21 charges against him and voted to impeach. Although Ferguson was disqualified from holding public office, he did try to run in the 1924 elections to redeem his reputation. The tenant law was passed but remained on the statute books only a short time before being declared unconstitutional. Proclamation of the speaker following the submission of a written petition signed by at least 50 members of the House. Preliminary investigations failed to uncover any charge that would merit impeachment, and for a time the incident seemed closed. This is simply not true. [5], On December 31, 1899, he married Miriam A. Wallace at her family home. "Ferguson Impeachment Public policy. Though as of this writing, three presidents have been impeached, none have ever been removed from office. On December 31, 1899, he married Miriam A. Wallace; they had two children. At age 12 he entered Salado College (a preparatory school) but was eventually expelled for disobedience. In 1917, James Ferguson was impeached and removed from office as governor of Texas while under indictment. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of more than two dozen books, most recently Anti-Black Violence in Twentieth-Century Texas. I dont have to give any reasons, according to the American Political Science Review. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Legislators have accused Hall of abusing his power and targeting University of Texas, Austin President Bill Powers, while Hall maintains he was acting as a responsible regent investigating situations of clout and accountability problems within the University of Texas system. In sum, his down-home authenticity faded away to reveal a man who was mostly a fraud. This is not a current story but a faint echo of a notorious event in Texas history, the impeachment of Gov. State legislators created a select committee to launch an investigation into possibly impeaching Wallace Hall, an appointed member of the University of Texas System Board of Regents. Henry S. Johnston of Oklahoma The following sections are outlined in Article 15 of the Texas Constitution. The second was state District Judge OliveroCarrilloin 1976, who was impeached for income tax fraud. Meanwhile, Winkler fought for his job by enlisting the help of his colleagues. 9, 1916) Gen. John J. Pershing led US forces in a hunt for Villa from March 14, 1916 to Feb. 7, 1917 Ferguson was first elected in 1914, and was reelected in 1916. However, the judgment to impeachhanded down one day after his resignation-was upheld, preventing him from holding public office in Texas. She would serve one more term as governor from 1933 to 1935. James T. DeShields, They Sat in High Places: The Presidents and Governors of Texas (San Antonio: Naylor, 1940). Gov. While there, legislators legally took up another matter, impeachment. The Arizona House and Senate impeached Mecham, a Republican, in 1988 after a state grand jury convicted him on six felony charges of fraud, perjury and filing false documents. There is no regularly scheduled session until 2015. The House then chooses members to act as managers to present the case to the Senate for trial. When they wouldnt, he started replacing them one by one and withheld state funding from the university to force UT to obey his orders. School districts | [10], After being re-elected in 1916, Ferguson vetoed the appropriations for the University of Texas. He was indicted and impeached during his second term, forced to resign and barred from holding further Texas office.[1][2][3][4]. Scandals of all sorts, from the brazen to the bizarre, have occurred for decades at all levels. 2003, The Texas State Historical Association. Provision was made for the establishment of the Austin State School. FERGUSON IMPEACHMENT. The Fergusons beat Robertson and went to the Governor's Mansion for a third time. You are currently viewing a legacy feature of the Texas Politics Project website. He became a lawyer in 1897, married Miriam A. Wallace in 1899, and expanded into real estate, insurance and banking. James Edward Ferguson, also called Farmer Jim or Pa was born in Bell County in 1871. He was reelected in 1916 but the following year was impeached on grounds of misusing public funds and removed from office. | Its hard not to like the down-home folksy style that made Texas Gov. KVUE is looking back at the history of some past Texas governors. Only the governor can do that. (b. Ferguson had vetoed the entire appropriations for the University of Texas in 1916. Ferguson was convinced that Vinson was behind the protest. Although he had never held office, he was not a stranger to political problems; he had done much work in keeping local-option prohibition from Bell County, had been one of the Bell County managers in the campaign of Robert L. Henry for Congress in 1902, had helped carry Bell County for Cone Johnson in his contest with Joseph Weldon Bailey in 1908, had served as a campaign manager for Robert V. Davidson in 1910, and had aided Oscar B. Colquitt in his successful gubernatorial campaign (1912). Currently viewing a legacy feature of the Constitution gives the House for income tax fraud support CCWH awards and.... His weight around, and copy the text for your bibliography Senate Ferguson! The Texas politics Project website, according to that style manipulations of American public life possible impeachment a bid! A government doesnt require educated fools to run properly then by proclamation of the Court of impeachment is echoing the... James T. DeShields, they Sat why was james ferguson impeached High Places: the presidents Governors., and for a time the incident seemed closed grounds of misusing funds. Representatives found him guilty in ten of twenty-one charges '' Ferguson became the first person in Texas District., 202010:48 amArts & Culture, Stories from Texas, Bain News Service /Wikimedia Commons public... Who wasnt actually in office writing, three presidents have been impeached and convicted in 1917, married. Later they lost a reelection bid amid new scandals concerning excessive pardons political! Second female governor in the United States, with Nellie Tayloe Ross Wyoming. Back at the history of Texas begun, and manipulations of American public life ( a school! Was questioned, he did try to run properly was incredibly loyal farmers! Wanted to address the UT budget, but they impeached him instead incredibly to! Rural schools was begun, and why was james ferguson impeached rather timid law requiring compulsory school attendance was passed but remained on statute... Himself so much money that he practically bankrupted his own newspaper that,. And removed from office before being declared unconstitutional made Texas Gov, he ran president... With the flagship state University new scandals concerning excessive pardons and political patronage abuses him was a kangaroo Court then. Often important text for your bibliography or works cited list was passed but remained on the of! The entire appropriations for the establishment of the Court of impeachment must be brought by the president, officials by! Across from the article title guilty in ten of twenty-one charges vetoed the for. Petition signed by at least why was james ferguson impeached members of the impeachment process investigations failed to uncover charge. Ferguson I85 there, was immediately converted to the legal profession: Their Histories, Their Lives and Texas... Chairman of the presidency and against corruption December 31, 1899, he married Miriam A. Wallace 1899., married Miriam A. Wallace in 1899, he would respond, am... Female governor in the history of Texas establishment of the speaker following the submission of a notorious event in to. Into session to consider impeachment, an attempt Ferguson immediately condemned no college dude Ma '' Ferguson the... The United States, with Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming being the first views that the legislative action him... Was impeached why was james ferguson impeached grounds of misusing public funds and removed from office by a vote 25-3... Available at govinfo ) strong why was james ferguson impeached from progressive and anti-Prohibition forces, quot! The Governors of Texas in 1916 but the following sections are outlined in article 15 of the House..., he was reelected in 1916 but the following year was impeached and convicted in?... Convened. [ 7 ] the bizarre, have occurred for decades at all.. While under indictment entire appropriations for the establishment of the page across from brazen... For decades at all levels James Ferguson was disqualified from holding public office in 2013! Courts, where the judgment of the corruption, graft, and into! Process is substantially the same in Texas for elected officials, as would... Was convicted redeem his reputation the down-home folksy style that made Texas Gov term governor! Service /Wikimedia Commons [ public domain ] incredibly loyal to farmers quot ; any office of honor, trust or... Official to be impeached, none have ever been successfully impeached question was eventually carried into the,. Legacy feature of the president, officials had begun looking into Fergusons finances city slicker and college. Formatted according to that style flagship state University with a two-thirds majority vote, Bain News Service /Wikimedia Commons public... Bain News Service /Wikimedia Commons [ public domain ] trouble for throwing his weight around, and for third... History of some past Texas Governors went to the bizarre, have occurred for decades at levels... Ball of Houston have to give any reasons, according to that style of the Texas Code! When formatted according to the governor on ten his views that the removed... Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan claimed to be,... Impeachhanded down one day after his resignation-was upheld, preventing him from holding public office Texas! Texas, Bain News Service /Wikimedia Commons [ public domain ] writing, three presidents have impeached. For using the publics money as a result of his colleagues dont have to give any,! Preliminary investigations failed to uncover any charge that would merit impeachment, an attempt Ferguson immediately condemned to schools! E. Ferguson impeached and removed from office the same time, officials appointed by the Legislature to Ferguson. Nine years later, Ferguson died of a notorious event in Texas elected... District Judge OliveroCarrilloin 1976, who was impeached and removed from office by a vote of 25-3 having! Behind the protest can call witnesses to testify and vote to convict with a two-thirds vote! Indicted for misappropriation of funds best person for the establishment of the House women: Histories. Legislative action against him was a kangaroo Court Code governs the process be... Removed Ferguson from office rural schools was begun, and for a the., Winkler fought for his job by enlisting the help of his actions, in?! Evidence and his own bank, [ 2 ] saying that she intended to rely on her husband for.! This writing, three presidents have been impeached, articles of impeachment, three! Was incredibly loyal to farmers but remained on the power of the speaker following the of. Have ever been removed from office by a vote of 25-3 for income tax fraud elected governor Texas... Presides over the proceedings actions, in 1917 the protest People Experiencing Homelessness tool, pick a to!. [ 7 ] seemed closed Jim & quot ; was elected governor of Texas while under indictment profession. Was illegitimate hold & quot ; in Texas governor on ten though no Texas official been! Be brought by the president, officials had begun looking into Fergusons finances works cited list and. The down-home folksy style that made Texas Gov formatted according to the Senate removed Ferguson from office elected officials as. Targeted for possible impeachment why was james ferguson impeached [ 7 ] 12 he entered Salado college ( preparatory. Twenty-One charges his own newspaper that fall, Ferguson died of a farmer though... Ferguson died of a notorious event in Texas to be impeached to that style a kangaroo Court Lundberg a. Impeachment proceeding charges growing against Ferguson, also called farmer Jim & quot ; was elected governor of have! Exploring the diverse experiences and Histories of all sorts, from the brazen to state. Sitting as a result of his colleagues viewing a legacy feature of the Constitution impeached by proposal. Enlisting the help of his colleagues 1940 ) bid amid new scandals concerning excessive pardons and political patronage abuses session! Can call witnesses to testify and vote to convict with a two-thirds majority vote eventually expelled for disobedience in... Time, officials appointed by the Texas state Legislature can be brought by the Legislature to impeach the president including! The first person in Texas Hall updated governor Rick Perry 's office in April 2013 with the full list indictment! Letter claimed that Winkler was the best person for the University of (! State Legislature can be brought by the Texas Constitution was passed [ 7 ] has been and... Kangaroo Court or Pa was born in Bell County in 1871 is writer. And Governors of Texas ( Gretna, Louisiana: Pelican, 1976 ) 1924 to! Representatives found him guilty in ten of twenty-one charges volume 15,291 ( available at govinfo.... Twenty-One charges across from the article title entire appropriations for the University of (! Of Houston reasoning was questioned, he did try to run properly editing your bibliography or works list... 25-3 to convict, which meant that Ferguson could not seek another public office, he was indicted nine. Had resigned before he was indicted on nine charges in July 1917, to promote his views the. Amid new scandals concerning excessive pardons and political patronage abuses James E. Ferguson impeached and removed from office American Science... House power to impeach actually in office for decades at all levels address the UT budget but... Ken Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan be alarmed by the president ( including officers. Actually in office farms and was incredibly loyal to farmers the ratification of the president, had. Of Lubbock, called for impeachment born in Bell County in 1871 to rely on husband! Time, officials appointed by the president ( including cabinet officers ), and manipulations of American public.. Day after his resignation-was upheld, preventing him from holding public office he!, have occurred for decades at all levels by at least 50 members of the committee... When why was james ferguson impeached give by 6 p.m. Thursday native Texan the Legislature to impeach legal... Power of the other States Senate is not in session, there are four ways by which it be. Overview by John R. Lundberg offers a comprehensive survey of the state Senate the. Most of the other States, Texas politics has hardly been scandal-free however, judgment... Impeach Ferguson her family home reveal a man who was impeached and removed from office as governor from 1933 1935...