Texas Politics in the early 20th century
In the book, "The Establishment in Texas Politics," by George Norris Green, Mr. Green describes how, since 1939, fiscal and social conservatives have governed Texas. Anglo-Texas nationalism supported the idea of Texas independence from groups including the federal government as it pertains to laws overseeing business practices. From the traditionalistic-individualistic scheme of Texas politics emerged a philosophy of material self-interest above anything that might be considered fair to other groups within the borders of the state. To make matters worse (or better, depending on your own political persuasion) Texas at that time was a one-party system, and the powers that be relied on a consistently low level of voter participation and the powerful influence of special interest lobby groups.Interest groups sprang forth from the business landscape tilled by capitalist pioneers such as H.L. Hunt, Sid Richardson and Clint Murchison. These independent millionaires were concerned with preserving capital and enhancing shareholder value by reducing the interference by governmental socialists who sought to redistribute wealth though the use of social programs. These men, and many more like them, cared little abou
Socio-economic status, thus, was thought to be a result of natural selection. Further, it was thought that as business flourished so would everyone flourish. As it has been stated, "A rising tide lifts all boats." As of the new millenium, the conservative sword thrusted about in Texas politics would make the blade Lee surrendered to Grant, a toothpick by comparison. The statehouse, as well as, the Lt. Governor, most of the senate and House of Representatives is all conservative republicans. Homer Rainey would no doubt need permanently sealed roller bearings to contain the revolutions per minute inside his grave if he knew of the situation at hand. The conservative movement in Texas has relied on the left to be fractionalized and generally inactive in voter participation. The liberals in Texas have, so far, proved to be their own worse enemy. One of the more interesting characters in Texas political history would have to be Coke Stevenson. Born in a log cabin in Mason county Texas, Coke started his business career early. As a teenager he hauled freight from Junction to Brady. He worked his way up from rancher, banker, lawyer and legislator. After he won the governorship Stevenson began to demonstrate his fiscal and socially conservative ideology. He had amassed lucrative oil lease income and he opposed any tax levied on it, he also opposed gas rationing Texas during the second World War, the obvious implication here was oil prices would increase with greater demand. In the area of race relations, Jester opposed President Harry Truman's national civil rights program, although he supported state laws banning lynching and poll taxes. In a more moderate tone, he lobbied for higher teacher salaries, more and better educational facilities and even called for the establishment of an all black major university. Unfortunately, this "jester" proved him to be a flaming segregationist. t government and wanted no intervention in their economic affairs. Their attitudes were consistent with the popular values of the Jeffersonian Democrats of the nineteenth century: The less government the better, local control of what little government there was, and freedom from economic regulation, or laissez-faire.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Harry Truman's, Beauford Jester, Politically Texas, Texas Anglo-Texas, Harvard University, Texas's Hispanic, Pappy O'Daniel, Texas O'Daniel's, Homer Rainey, Clint Murchison, coke stevenson, texas politics, organized labor, texas teachers, texas economy, race relations, pappy o'daniel, social programs, university texas, conservative texas,
Approximate Word count = 1611
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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