Texas Constitution of 1876 Most people of Texas were Democrats because they resented reconstruction by the Republicans »Remember Reconstruction after the Civil War??? Texans wanted a new constitution that redistributed governmental powers –Redistribute – pass out again –Powers of governor were reduced –Terms of legislators were reduced Term – length of time in office Legislator - congressman Still today’s constitution with over 300 amendments

Public Debt Texas owed more than $5.5 million by 1879 Legislators cut back on public services –Education –Mental Institutions –Veteran’s pensions or retirement wages

Railroads Railroads need to be built in order to make farms, ranches, & businesses prosper Texas gave railroad companies more than 32 million acres of land In 1872 the first railroad connection was made with another state –Journeys that once took months now lasted a matter of hours –Towns were built along the railroads, towns not along a rail line soon became ghost towns

Monopoly Trusts – a combination of businesses that reduce competition to control prices Overcharge people for the goods they sell Nationally there were many large railroad companies that were forced to lower prices –Rural areas had few companies so they could charge higher prices –It was cheaper to go from Dallas to Nebraska than to go from East Texas to Dallas

Many Texans wanted the government to stop the trusts with anti-trust laws The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) regulated railroads that went across more than one state and kept prices low The Texas Railroad Commission was created in 1891 to keep railroad prices fair in rural Texas

Other important reform movements Prohibition – a movement to end the use of alcohol Women’s Suffrage – the right to vote Populism – a movement to take power away from the elite and give the common people more power Progressivism – social reform movement that wants to improve society through legislation

The END?