TX History Ch 19.3

Chapter 19: ReconstructionSection 3: The Davis Administration

Bellwork

What are some actions the new Republican

government in Texas should take to address

problems & issues?

The Davis Administration

•Edmund J. Davis elected governor in 1869

Edmund J. Davis

The Davis Administration

•Legislature dominated by Republicans

•11 African Americans

The Davis Administration

Matthew Gaines George T. Ruby

The Davis Administration• Efforts to stop crime

in the state:

– KKK had been threatening & murdering African Americans to keep them from expressing political views

– Created a state militia & police force

Klu Klux Klan robes

The Davis Administration

•Education:

–Created a free public school system for ALL children

–State board of education

–Common curriculum & teacher certification

The Davis Administration

•Economy:

–Improvements to the state transportation system

–Issued bonds for rail lines

The Davis Administration

•The Republican led legislature raised taxes to pay for schools & roads.

Opposition to Reconstruction

•Scalawag—term used for Texans who supported the Republicans

Opposition to Reconstruction

• Carpetbaggers—

northerners who moved to the South after the war

Carpetbag

Opposition to Reconstruction

•Clashes over state police, militia, & taxes

•Obnoxious Acts—a term used by some Texans for laws passed by the Republican legislature

Opposition to Reconstruction

•Accusations of taking money by fraud

•Angered when Davis used state police to guard voters in 1872 election

•1872 election: Democrats regain control of legislature

The End of Reconstruction

E.J. DavisRepublican

Richard CokeDemocrat

vs.

Election of 1873

The End of Reconstruction

• Election of 1873:– Davis (42,663 votes)– Coke (85,549 votes)

• Democrats win control of legislature

• Republicans argue polls closed too early

The End of Reconstruction

•Case makes it to Texas Supreme Court

•Supreme Court declares constitution unconstitutional

•Democrats demand control of government

The End of Reconstruction

•Davis allows legislature to meet

•Fears governor’s office will be taken by force

•Calls in armed supporters to take control of first floor of capitol

The End of Reconstruction

• Democrats call in armed supporters to take control of legislative chambers on second floor of capitol

• Federal troops refuse to intervene

• Davis steps down

End to Republican Rule• E.J. Davis last

Republican governor for over 100 years

• 1978: Bill Clements will become the first Republican governor since Reconstruction

Bill Clements

The End of Reconstruction

•Richard Coke—Democrat who became governor in 1874, ending Reconstruction in Texas

Richard Coke

The End of Reconstruction

Rutherford B. HayesRepublican

Samuel TildenDemocrat

vs.

U.S. Presidential election of 1876

The End of Reconstruction

•Both candidates claim victory

•Compromise of 1877:

–Democrats accept Hayes

–Hayes ends involvement of Federal troops in Southern political affairs

E.J. Davis Administration

Accomplishments Criticisms