The "Prosperity Decade" - Progressivism: Opposition and Decline

Opposition to Progressivism in Texas

A. U. S. Senator Joseph Bailey
B. “Farmer Jim” Ferguson

U. S. Senator Joseph Bailey (Figure Head of Opposition)

congressman from North Texas, was a populist sympathizer. Supported the income tax, started to become conservative in the 1900s. Practiced law while in Congress. Waters-Prince Oil Company was the biggest oil company in US, and was barred from Texas. (Waters-Pierce case)

“Farmer Jim” Ferguson

Self-taught Temple banker called himself “Farmer Jim.” He claimed that Texas was tired of prohibition and ready for a new direction. He campaigned on aid to tenant farmers, conservation concerns, and education reform. He only acquired the name “Pa” Ferguson after he was impeached and his wife served two terms as governor.

Jim Ferguson's Impeachment

Governor of Texas; anti-prohibition. Stole money from the government and used his ownership of companies to fuel his campaign. Signed the textbook law

The Return of Pre-Ferguson Progressivism

a political movement in Texas that emerged after Jim Ferguson's impeachment, aiming to restore Progressive reforms and focus on issues like education, labor rights, and social justice.

A. William Hobby (1917-1921)
1. The end of World War I
2. Hobby’s progressive reforms
B. Pat M. Neff (1921-1925)
1. The “reluctant” legislature
2. Ends prison “reform”
3. State Park network
4. Anti-labor stance
5. Crime wave and the Klan

William Hobby (1917-1921)

1. The end of World War I
2. Hobby’s progressive reforms

Pat M. Neff (1921-1925)

1. The “reluctant” legislature
2. Ends prison “reform”
3. State Park network
4. Anti-labor stance
5. Crime wave and the Klan

The Mutated Movement

1. Fears of American morality in decline

2. Second Ku Klux Klan

3. The Texas Klan

4. Religious and social fundamentalism

Fears of American morality in decline

1. Failure of prohibition
2. The “new” woman
3. Communication and transportation revolutions
4. Growing fears of rural population

Second Ku Klux Klan

1. Colonel William J. Simmons (preacher & leader)
2. Edward Young Clarke

The Texas Klan

A branch of the Ku Klux Klan active in Texas, promoting white supremacy and anti-immigrant sentiments during the early 20th century.

1. Areas of strength
2. Hiram Wesley Evans
3. Issues and tactics
4. Opposition
5. Earl B. Mayfield
6. The Klan’s defeat

Hiram Wesley Evans

Imperial Wizard

Earl B. Mayfield

Part of the KKK; lawyer, supported prohibition;

Religious and social fundamentalism

1. Religious make-up of Texas
2. Laws regulating personal behavior and conduct
3. Evangelicals and the Bible
4. J. Frank Norris and J.M. Dawson
5. Combating the devil and evolution
a. Texas Sunday School Association
b. Bible-in-the-Public Schools Association

J. Frank Norris

Baptist preacher and fundamentalist

J.M. Dawson

advocator of church vs. state; preacher

The Klan at the Baylor Female College

9 women.