Eleanor Finch
The Texas Constitution of 1876 is the sixth constitution by which Texas has been governed since independence from Mexico in 1836. The document provided for the establishment of a segregated, locally controlled, and inexpensive school system. It also set aside proceeds from land grants and public land sales for a perpetual fund for public schools and the establishment of the University of Texas. The constitution abolished the office of the state superintendent and established a board of education composed of the governor, comptroller, and secretary of state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | February 15, 1876 |
| Type of vote | 136,606 to 56,652 |
| Provision for schools | Established a segregated school system, abolished compulsory attendance, and provided for the establishment of the University of Texas |
| Funding mechanisms | Authorized a poll tax of $1 on males aged 21-60, set aside proceeds from land grants and sales for schools, and allowed for investment of proceeds in bonds |
| Governance | Founded a board of education composed of the governor, comptroller, and secretary of state |
| Amendments | The document has been amended multiple times since its adoption, particularly in the areas of education and judiciary |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Funding for schools
The Texas Constitution of 1876 provided for a less expensive, locally controlled, segregated school system. It set aside a perpetual fund for schools, comprising all proceeds from lands previously granted to schools, including alternate sections of land reserved for the state or granted to corporations, and the proceeds from the sale of half of all other public lands. The constitution also abolished the office of the state superintendent, and founded a board of education composed of the governor, comptroller, and secretary of state.
The constitution did not provide for local school taxes. Instead, it authorised the legislature to levy a poll tax of one dollar on all male inhabitants between the ages of 21 and 60, with one-fourth of the general revenue appropriated for schools. The constitution also allowed for the sale of permanent school fund lands, with the proceeds to be used to acquire other land for the fund or invested in bonds.
The constitution also provided for the establishment of the University of Texas and the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, with a dedicated university fund for their maintenance and support. The university was to be located by a vote of the people of the state and would promote literature, the arts and sciences, including agriculture and the mechanic arts.
The Framers of the US Constitution: A Founding Few
You may want to see also
Abolition of compulsory attendance
The Texas Constitution of 1876 abolished compulsory school attendance. This was a notable shift from the previous constitution of 1869, which had required the legislature to make school attendance mandatory for all children between the ages of six and eighteen. The 1876 constitution also eliminated the office of the state superintendent, opting instead for a board of education composed of the governor, comptroller, and secretary of state.
The 1876 constitution provided for a less expensive, locally controlled, segregated school system. It set aside proceeds from land grants and public land sales to fund the schools, including sections of land previously reserved for railroads or other corporations. It also established the University of Texas and the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas as part of the public school system.
The abolition of compulsory attendance in the 1876 constitution reflected the priorities of a largely rural population engaged in subsistence farming at the time. However, as Texas evolved, the constitution underwent amendments to accommodate changing needs, particularly as the state transitioned towards an urban-industrial-commercial society.
While the 1876 constitution removed the mandate for compulsory attendance, it continued to emphasise the importance of education. It provided for biennial sessions of the legislature, low salaries for public officials, and guarantees of a low tax rate. These provisions ensured that education remained accessible and affordable for Texans.
The constitution also allowed for the expansion of the public school system and enabled the establishment of additional educational institutions beyond the primary level. The creation of the University of Texas and the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, along with provisions for their funding, demonstrated a commitment to higher education within the state.
Related Entity Loans: Chapter Basis?
You may want to see also
Segregated schools
The Texas Constitution of 1876 provided for a less expensive, locally controlled, segregated school system. It set aside a perpetual fund for schools, comprising all proceeds from lands previously granted to schools, alternate sections of land reserved for the state, and the proceeds from the sale of half of all other public lands. It also abolished compulsory school attendance and provided for segregated schools for "white and coloured children". The document established a board of education composed of the governor, comptroller, and secretary of state, who were responsible for distributing funds to counties and carrying out other duties concerning public schools.
The 1876 Constitution was the sixth constitution to govern Texas since its independence from Mexico in 1836. It was framed by the Constitutional Convention of 1875 and adopted on February 15, 1876, by a vote of 136,606 to 56,652. It included provisions that were uniquely Texan, influenced by the state's history, Spanish and Mexican influence, Jacksonian agrarianism, and frontier radicalism.
The Constitution of 1876 complied with public opinion, providing for biennial sessions of the legislature, low salaries for public officials, precinct voting rights, the abolition of the road tax, and a return to the road-working system. It also guaranteed a low tax rate, a less expensive court system, and the popular election of officers. The document prohibited voter registration and grants of money or bonds to railroads. While it was adequate for a rural, subsistence farming society, it did not cater to an urban-industrial-commercial society.
The 1876 Constitution made no provision for local school taxes. However, it did provide for the establishment of the University of Texas and the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, a branch of the university. It also specified that the legislature should establish, organise, and provide for the maintenance and support of a university of the first class, to be located by a vote of the people and named "The University of Texas".
Total Loss: Insurance Company Sale?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$29.95 $29.95
Establishment of the University of Texas
The Texas Constitution of 1876 provided for the establishment of the University of Texas. The university's history can be traced back to 1839, when the Congress of the Republic of Texas ordered a site to be set aside for a university. The same year, 231,400 acres of land were allocated for the establishment and endowment of two colleges or universities. However, due to various reasons, no concrete progress was made until 1858.
In 1858, the Texas legislature made financial provisions for a university by appropriating the previously granted land, bonds, and additional sections of land. Unfortunately, the Civil War prevented the plans from being realized. The Constitution of 1866 directed the legislature to prioritize establishing the university, but it was not until the Constitution of 1876 that specific actions were mandated.
Article 7, Section 10 of the 1876 Constitution stated that the legislature should establish, organize, and provide for the maintenance, support, and direction of a "university of the first class." This university, to be named the University of Texas, would promote the study of literature, arts, and sciences. It was to be located in Austin, selected through a vote in 1882.
The University of Texas officially opened its doors in September 1883, with classes initially held in the temporary Capitol building. The university's establishment was funded through various means, including the sale of land grants and oil profits. The Permanent University Fund, established in the 1920s, played a significant role in the university's expansion, with proceeds reinvested into the institution.
Today, the University of Texas at Austin is a renowned research institution, particularly in the fields of engineering, physical sciences, and computer science. It has established numerous research centers and start-up companies, attracting significant funding and contributing to advancements in various fields.
Key Differences to Understand for Original Content Creation
You may want to see also
Board of Education
The Texas Constitution of 1876 provided for a Board of Education composed of the governor, comptroller, and secretary of state. This board was tasked with distributing funds to counties and performing other duties concerning public schools as prescribed by law. The constitution also provided for the establishment of the University of Texas and the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas.
The 1876 Constitution was the sixth constitution of Texas since its independence from Mexico in 1836. It was framed by the Constitutional Convention of 1875 and adopted on February 15, 1876, by a vote of 136,606 to 56,652. The constitution included provisions for biennial sessions of the legislature, low salaries for public officials, precinct voting, and a homestead exemption clause. It also guaranteed a low tax rate and a less expensive, locally controlled, segregated school system.
The Board of Education was responsible for managing the revenues derived from permanent school fund lands and other properties. The constitution specified that the interest accruing from these funds could be appropriated by the legislature for educational purposes. It also provided for the sale of permanent school fund lands and the investment of proceeds under the direction of the Board of Education. The board was also given the discretion to distribute revenue derived from land or properties to the available school fund each year, with a limit of $600 million per entity per year.
The Texas Constitution of 1876 also made provisions for the funding of public schools. It authorized the legislature to levy a poll tax of one dollar on all male inhabitants between the ages of twenty-one and sixty and to appropriate not more than one-fourth of the general revenue. It also set aside proceeds from land grants and public land sales as a perpetual fund for schools. These funds were to be used for the support and maintenance of public schools, with the specific requirement that they not be diverted to any other use.
Overall, the Texas Constitution of 1876 provided for a less expensive, locally controlled, segregated school system with a dedicated funding stream managed by the Board of Education.
Founding Fathers' Vision: The Constitution's Creation and Intent
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Texas Constitution of 1876 made the following provisions regarding education:
- It set up a board of education composed of the governor, comptroller, and secretary of state.
- It abolished compulsory school attendance and provided for segregated schools.
- It established the University of Texas and the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas as a branch of the University of Texas.
- It abolished the office of the state superintendent of public instruction.
- It provided for the funding of public schools through the sale of public lands, bonds, and taxes.
The Texas Constitution of 1869, which preceded the 1876 Constitution, had already committed the state to developing a public school system. The 1869 Constitution provided explicit directions on how the school system should be structured and funded. It required the legislature to divide the state into school districts and establish school boards. It also mandated free education for all inhabitants between the ages of six and eighteen, regardless of sex or race, and made school attendance mandatory.
The 1876 Constitution built on the foundations laid by the 1869 Constitution but made some key changes. It abolished the office of the state superintendent, provided for segregated schools, and established a board of education. It also continued the commitment to funding public schools through various means, including the sale of public lands and bonds.
The Texas Constitution of 1876 provided for the funding of public schools through a combination of sources, including:
- The sale of public lands: Proceeds from the sale of lands previously granted to schools and from the sale of public lands were set aside as a perpetual fund for education.
- Bonds: The constitution authorized the investment of funds in bonds issued by the state of Texas, counties within the state, or the United States.
- Taxes: While the constitution abolished the road tax, it authorized a poll tax of one dollar on male inhabitants between the ages of twenty-one and sixty, with a portion of the revenue allocated to the school fund.
The Texas Constitution of 1876 has undergone several amendments since its adoption. While the original constitution provided for a segregated school system, subsequent amendments have removed limitations and permitted the expansion of the public school system. Amendments have also been made to specific sections relating to the funding of education, such as the sale of permanent school fund lands and the distribution of revenues derived from school fund lands.
