Jim Ferguson Essay

Texas has had a colorful political past. James and Miriam Ferguson also known as "Ma" and "Pa" Ferguson were one of the most influential couples in Texas History. Both served as Governor of Texas during the early part of the 1900's. During this time Texans saw an expansion of public education, voter intimidation, public misconduct, Prohibition, the depression and ultimately impeachment of a governor. This essay compares an article taken from the “Record of Proceedings of the High Court of Impeachment on the Trial of Hon.” James E. Ferguson, Governor, published by the Authority of the Legislature; Austin, 1917, 862-865, and an article "Yet another look at the Fergusons of Texas" in the textbook, A Lone Star Reader, (255-263). The article taken from the Lone Star Reader centers on the character, personal development & lives of the Fergusons while the article taken from the Record of the Proceedings of the High Court centers on the chronological history of what happened during the impeachment proceedings. The article, …show more content…
Jim Ferguson was found guilty of the charge and the vote was 22 for and 8 against. Article 19 alleged that Jim Ferguson used his power as governor to manipulate members of the Board of Regents at the University of Texas. This including the remission of a judgment against Wilbur P. Allen, President of the Board of Regents, in the amount of $5,000 for a Bond due because a defendant had escaped. This once again was yet another ploy to influence the board. The funds would have belonged to the people of the State of Texas. Jim Ferguson was found guilty of the charge and the vote was 21 for and 10 against. Unlike this article which provides detailed facts about the articles of the impeachment, the article in A Lone Star Reader merely uses two or three sentences which state that Jim Ferguson was found guilty of charges which included failure to enforce banking laws, the misapplication of public funds, embezzlement, and the abuse of