Miriam A. Ferguson: Difference between revisions
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Ferguson was educated at [[Salado College]] and [[University of Mary Hardin-Baylor|Baylor Female College]]. After her husband's impeachment and his later failure to get on the ballot again, she decided to run as a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] under the slogan “two governors for the price of one” [http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/governors/personality/index.html#MaFerguson]. The first female governor in the United States, [[Nellie Tayloe Ross]], was inaugurated only fifteen days before Ferguson [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/FF/ffe6.html]. They actually both won election on the same day, but Texas inaugurates its Governor after Wyoming does. |
Ferguson was educated at [[Salado College]] and [[University of Mary Hardin-Baylor|Baylor Female College]]. After her husband's impeachment and his later failure to get on the ballot again, she decided to run as a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] under the slogan “two governors for the price of one” [http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/governors/personality/index.html#MaFerguson]. The first female governor in the United States, [[Nellie Tayloe Ross]], was inaugurated only fifteen days before Ferguson [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/FF/ffe6.html]. They actually both won election on the same day, but Texas inaugurates its Governor after Wyoming does. |
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As governor, Ferguson opposed the [[Ku Klux Klan]] and [[prohibition]] and was a [[fiscal conservative]]. She was also opposed to the teaching of foreign languages in public schools |
As governor, Ferguson opposed the [[Ku Klux Klan]] and [[prohibition]] and was a [[fiscal conservative]]. She was also opposed to the teaching of foreign languages in public schools, I decision upheld by successive Governors through Bush and Perry. |
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During her first administration she averaged over 100 pardons a month, and accusations of both bribes and [[kickback]]s overshadowed her term, resulting in attempts at impeachment. This led to her defeat in the primary in both 1926 and 1930, but 1932 saw her defeat incumbent [[Ross S. Sterling]]. Ferguson's actions led to the Legislature amending the law; today the Governor cannot unilaterally issue a pardon; the Texas Board of Pardon and Parole must first recommend a pardon (though if the Board recommends a pardon, the Governor can choose not to grant it). |
During her first administration she averaged over 100 pardons a month, and accusations of both bribes and [[kickback]]s overshadowed her term, resulting in attempts at impeachment. This led to her defeat in the primary in both 1926 and 1930, but 1932 saw her defeat incumbent [[Ross S. Sterling]]. Ferguson's actions led to the Legislature amending the law; today the Governor cannot unilaterally issue a pardon; the Texas Board of Pardon and Parole must first recommend a pardon (though if the Board recommends a pardon, the Governor can choose not to grant it). |
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Revision as of 00:25, 4 November 2006
Miriam Amanda Wallace “Ma” Ferguson (June 13 1875 – June 25 1961) became the first female Governor of Texas in 1924, and the second female state governor in the United States. Her husband, James Edward Ferguson, was governor from 1915 to 1917, but was impeached during his second term.
Ferguson was educated at Salado College and Baylor Female College. After her husband's impeachment and his later failure to get on the ballot again, she decided to run as a Democrat under the slogan “two governors for the price of one” [1]. The first female governor in the United States, Nellie Tayloe Ross, was inaugurated only fifteen days before Ferguson [2]. They actually both won election on the same day, but Texas inaugurates its Governor after Wyoming does.
As governor, Ferguson opposed the Ku Klux Klan and prohibition and was a fiscal conservative. She was also opposed to the teaching of foreign languages in public schools, I decision upheld by successive Governors through Bush and Perry.
During her first administration she averaged over 100 pardons a month, and accusations of both bribes and kickbacks overshadowed her term, resulting in attempts at impeachment. This led to her defeat in the primary in both 1926 and 1930, but 1932 saw her defeat incumbent Ross S. Sterling. Ferguson's actions led to the Legislature amending the law; today the Governor cannot unilaterally issue a pardon; the Texas Board of Pardon and Parole must first recommend a pardon (though if the Board recommends a pardon, the Governor can choose not to grant it).
Except for an unsuccessful bid to replace Governor W. Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel in 1940, the Fergusons remained retired from political life after 1934.
Miriam Ferguson died from congestive heart failure at the age of 86.
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External links
- Miriam Ferguson from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Miriam Ferguson's Gravesite
