The Tyler Leader (Tyler, Tex.), Vol. 20, No. 1, Ed. 1 Saturday, July 21, 1990 Page: 1 of 6
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THE TYLER LEADER
per copy
Vol. 20 — No. 1_ TYLER, TEXAS ; July 21-Aug. 2, 1990
Know Your Black History
A Research By S. F. Wilkinson
State Constitution in
Perspective
Although only three states as are concise as the U. S. Constitu-
tion (under 10,000 words), few are considered so restrictive as
Texas’ Constitution. The continuing need for amending detailed and
restrictive state constitutions means that citizens are frequently
called upon to pass judgment on proposed amendments. Although
some maintain that giving the electorate the opportunity to express
themselves on constitutional amendments reaffirms popular control
of government, there is little voter interest in amendment elections.
Faced with trivial, confusing, or technical amendments, the bewil-
dered citizen is not even likely to vote.
The First State Constitutions
State constitutions represent historical records of die waves of political
change that have moved across the nation.
The first state constitutions were developed from colonial charters; but
the new constitutions also reflected the new political realities that followed
the revolution. As the colonists had just experienced the abuse of the ex-
ecutive power under King George III and his appointed governors, the ear-
liest state constitutions adhered to legislative supremacy. As the most rep-
resentative colonial institutions had been the colonial assemblies, the state
legislative bodies were given the power to select the governor and the
judges, and made virtually every important decision. The first state gover-
nors, generally elected by the state legislatures for short terms, were given
little power; even the veto power was denied in several of the states. The
earliest state governments failed to provide for any real separation of
powers.
Pre-Civil War “Democracy”
In the nineteenth century, Americans continued to wrestle with the ideas
of democracy. States began to lessen suffrage requirements and offer the
electorate a larger voice in the decisions of government. Americans dis-
covered that executives, too, could become instalments of democracy, and
state constitutions began to provide for the election of governors. As the
roll of that government grew, executive power was divided among several
elective officials. These independently elected executives meant the begin-
ning of the separation of state governmental powers and an opportunity to
check the legislatures which still remained the supreme branch of govern-
ment. As democracy, continued to take deeper root, judges were also
elected. The long ballot, which provided for the direction election of
numerous executive and court officials had its origins in the year of Jack-
sonian democracy, a political movement and attitude which would later af-
fect the structure of Texas government.
The search for democracy permeated virtually every aspect of political
life. New political parties sprang up, and they introduced the spoils system
(hiring loyal party members for government jobs). These government
employees, knowing that the next election could claim their jobs if the op-
position won, began to take advantage of whatever opportunity arose for
their private gain; insecurity in public employment led to corruption. Cor-
ruption (and careful neighborhood organization) supported political bosses
and their machines. Later, the immigration of unskilled and uneducated
laborers from Europe meant an effective boost to political machines in the
Northeastern area where they settled.
Correcting abuses
In many ways, the latter half of the nineteenth century was the “Dark
Age” of American democracy. Following the Civil War, the Reconstruc-
tion governments of the Southern states, selected in undemocratic ways,
were abusive, corrupt, and had little experience in public affairs. Despite a
few forward-looking policies of these governments (particularly in the
area ot education), Southerners were generally enraged. When free elec-
tions were again instituted, voters scrapped the last vestiges of
Reconstruction government. They rewrote state constitutions; shortened
the terms, cut the salaries, and limited the power of public officials. As we
shall see, this era of reaction to the Southern Reconstruction was when
Texas’ constitution was written with its emphasis on restriction of govern-
ment power.
Misuse of power was not exclusive to the Southern governments. In-
dustrialization in the North produced economic magnates — the “robber
barons” — who dominated state governments even more easily than they
did the national government. Post-Civil War industrialization attracted
waves of European immigrants, who in turn reinforced the power of the
corrupt municipal political machines. These incompetent and corrupt
governments could not deal effectively with industrialization, urban
growth, and increased demand for government service. Strong elements of
paranoia, racism, and nativism fed reform movements which demanded
the destruction of immigrant-supported political machines in the urban
North in the latter half of the nineteenth century, both a growing middle
class in the North and substantial numbers of farmers felt threatened by
the city machine and industrial monopolists.
The Leader will publish a
Back-To-School Edition in
August
If you have News or Want
to
Advertise...cal I
592-8235 or 593-6507
Tyler Council Puts 50-Foot Muffler
On Car Stereo Noise In City Limits
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If a car stereo can be heard more
than 50 feet away from the vehicle,
it is in violation of an ordinance
unanimously approved by the City
Council this morning.
Council members have received
numerous complaints about “boom
cars,” or vehicles equipped with
powerful amplifiers or multispeak-
er stereo 9- terns, and agreed with
a staff recommendation to amend
the city’s ordinance on loud and
raucous noises to include loud car
stereos.
“When one pulls up beside you at
a traffic signal, that’s all you
hear,” City Manager Gary Gwyn
said. “We’ve had a number of com-
plaints, including residents off ma-
jor arteries who say they do in fact
disturb their neighborhoods.”
“I have received, a number of
DR. SURRY-FINGAL
Institutional Advancement VP
Fingal named
Texas College
vice president
Dr. Margaret E. Surry-Fingal
has been named vice president for
institutional advancement at Texas
College, college president Dr. Da-
vid H. Johnson announced Thurs-
day.
Mrs. Surry-Fingal has been TC
registrar, and will be replaced by
the promotion of assistant registrar
Sandra L. Smith, Johnson said.
The promotions become effective
Tuesday.
Registrar for nine years, Mrs.
Surry-Fingal was assistant regis-
trar for five years.
She has more than 16 years expe-
rience in developing, administering
and managing Title III funds. Mrs.
Surry-Fingal was director of devel-
opment and services and Title III
programs coordinator at Mississip-
GOAL FOR JOHNSON MEMORIAL
SCHOLARSHIP FUND SET
pi Valley State University, where
she administered more than $6.2
million in grant funds.
The goal for the Memorial Scholarship Fund established in
honor of the late Dr. David H. Johnson, 14th President of
Texas College, has been set at $35,000.00. It was announced
today by Dr. C.V. Mathews, Vice President for Fiscal Af-
fairs. Since the establishment of the fund immediately upon
the death of Dr. Johnson, a total of $8,000 has been con-
tributed. It is anticipated that the goal will be reached within
a few days, Mathews said.
Throughout the 29-year tenure of the late President, his
interest in students was foremost. Serving as Dean of
Students from 1962 through 1974, Johnson worked closely
with all students, including Clubs and Organizations, Honor
Societies, Student Publications, Athletic Events, Housing
and all other facets of student relations.
A total of $10,000 will be awarded to students in 1990-91. The
remaining amount will be placed in an endowment
scholarship fund. "While we grieve the President's death the
administrators and faculty will continuously work to insure
that the glow of his goodwill will leap to greater heights, and
he will be remembered for his deep interest in the develop-
ment and growth of the institution," Mathews said.
LEADERSHIP TYLER APPLICATION
FORMS AVAILABLE FOR 1990-91
Sh« coordinated.faov.Hy
opment program with Kansas State
University.
When Mrs. Surry-Fingal re-
turned to TC as Title III programs
coordinator, the funding increased
from $193,000 to $913,220.
Surry-Fingal earned a doctor of
humanities degree from Texas Col-
lege, where she was a magna cum
laude graduate when she earned a
bachelor of science degree.
She has studied at Columbia Uni-
versity and the Univeristy of the
Pacific in Stockton, Calif.
She is a lifetime member of the
TC National Alumni Association
and was an organizer of the All-
Class All-College Reunions, which
brings thousands to their alma
mater and increases contributions
toTC.
Ms. Smith has been assistant re-
gistrar since 1988.
She has been at TC 11 years, be-
ginning as Department of Educa-
tion secretary in 1978, then became
Johnson’s secretary when he was
made academic dean of TC. Ms.
Smith was made administrative as-
sistant to the registrar in 1986 and
director of admissions in 1987 be-
fore she became assistant registrar.
Official application forms for
Leadership Tyler 1990-91 are now
• amiable at Tyler , Area,
Cjlmbdr of Commerce offices at 107
N. Broadway Ave. said Garland C.
Wright, general chairman of the
1990-91 Steering Committee. These
are the applications to be used in the
process for consideration of being
selected for this unique program.
Leadership Tyler is an annual
series of educational programs that
focuses on significant and important
information and issues. Participants
will be required to meet for one full
day per month, begnning October
1990 through May 1991. A select
group of community leaders and
several participants of past
Leadership Tyler classes will direct
this year’s activities.
Leadership Tyler is funded by
contributions from the business and
civic community and by tuition paid
bp participants. Mr. Wright said
that financial aid may be available
to those persons not otherwise able
to provide the $300 tuition.
Deadline for Leadership Tyler
applications to be submitted is
August 15 and selection of par-
ticipants will be made by September
15. The names of the 25 selected
individuals will be announced in
October.
Each year, participants are
selected to represent a reasonable
cross-section of backgrounds, in-
terests and business and civic ties to
■ OOBtS«*w«#3#........ y.........--........
The initial evaluations are per-
formed by members of the Selection
Committee, with each member
working independently. Selection
Committee members make initial
evaluations and score applicants
without knowing either the identity
of the other members on the general
Selection Committee.
Anyone interested in participating
in or nominating someone for the
Leadership Tyler Class of 1990-91
should pick up an application from
the Tyler Area Chamber of Com-
merce or call 592-1661.
Tyler Hospital
Sets Blood Drive
Community Hospital of Tyler
will sponsor a blood donor dirive
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 1 ai; the
hospital, 929 N. Glenwood, in con-
nection with Stewart Blood Center.
Juice and cookies will be avail-
able for donors. To schedule an ap-
pointment or for more information,
call 597-3381.
Jackson plans to run
for ‘shadow’ Senate
Third bid for presidency not ruled out
WASHINGTON — Two-time Dem-
ocratic presidential candidate Jesse
Jackson announced Thursday that
he would run for a “shadow” Senate
seat from Washington to lobby Con-
gress to admit the District of Colum-
bia as a state.
At the same time, Mr. Jackson
kept the door open to run again for
president in 1992.
The nation’s capital has limited
home rule and no voting represen-
tation in Congress. It does have a
non-voting representative to the
House.
The City Council recently au-
thorized elections for the shadow
positions, which amount to unpaid
lobbyists for District of Columbia
statehood, with no official duties.
It creat'd two shadow Senate
seats and one House shadow seat to
be elected in November, along with
the mayor and City Council.
In his announcement, made be-
fore a luncheon crowd of city lead-
ers, Mr. Jackson said he was run-
ning for the job because “statehood,
means less taxes, better services,
more hope” for the city’s 650,000
people.
Mr. Jackson’s political plans
have been the subject of specula-
tion since he moved to the nation’s
capital from Chicago last year.
This year, Mr. Jackson turned
down requests by many supporters
who urged him to run for mayor of
Washington.
During a news conference after
the luncheon, Mr. Jackson refused
to rule out another try for the presi-
dency.
He said that even if Washington
became a state and he became a full-
fledged senator, that would not
mean he would be barred from run-
ning for the presidency.
“No one else has to abdicate
their Senate position to run for
president,” Mr. Jackson said.
Some supporters had encouraged
Mr. Jackson to run for the city’s
ft
Jesse Jackson ... if elected,
he says he’d be a full-time
lobbyist for District of Col-
umbia statehood.
non-voting House seat, but candi-
dates must live in the District of
Columbia for more than three years
to be eligible to enter that race.
Other candidates for the shadow
posts include James Foreman, a
longtime civil rights activist, and
Harry Thomas Jr., the son of City
Councilman Harry Thomas.
Although voters approved the
shadow plan in 1980, the City Coun-
cil twice canceled elections to fill
the posts.
complaints,” Councilman Les
Ratliff said, “and I am gratified to
see the staff has taken this action. I
hope this shuts them down.”
City Attorney Gary Landers,
who drafted the ordinance, said
boom cars can alieady be enforced
under loud and raucous noises pro-
visions, but a specific reference to
car stereos in the ordinance will im-
prove enforcement.
> He said the intention of the ordi-
nance was both to protect public
safety by ensuring motorists and
pedestrians are not distracted from
traffic signals or emergency sirens
and to prevent interference with the
enjoyment of public and private
property.
Gwyn said police will be able to
ticket offenders if car stereos can
be heard 50 feet from the vehicle.
No one spoke in opposition of the
ordinance, which passed, 6-0, with
Councilman John Regan absent.
The council also amended an or-
dinance regulating vicious animals
that gives the city more authority
to prevent possible unprovoked at-
tacks, especially from dogs.
J
. .
i
Tyler NAACP
wins second
bronze medal
The Tyler Smith County NAACP
ACT-SO Program, in its second year
of.operation in Tyler, won the bronze
medal and a $500 scholarship at the
‘81 National NAACP Competition
and Convention. The entire Tyler
community is still elated over this
fete.
The competition and convention
was held in Los Angeles, Calif. July 6
-12.
Ms. Nicole Brooks, daughter of
Rev. and Mrs. Joe Brooks, placed
third in her category of playwriting.
Ms. Brooks is a June graduate of
Robert E. Lee High School and plpns
to enter Baylor University this fall
majoring in pre-medicine with
chemistry as an undergrade major.
The title of her Dlay is “Just Keep
The Faith.”
Over 1,000 black youth competed
in the 1990 competition. These youth
represented some 660 cities from all
over the United States.
These youth represented the 95
percent of the black American youth
that are doing positive good things
but getting very little media
coverage.
The Tyler ACT-SO program took
six youth to the National ACT-SO
Competition and Youth Council
Convention namely: Daphine Carr,
John Tyler, original essay, title,
“The Absence of the Black Male”;
Kelvin Jones, Robert E. Lee, orator,
Booker T. Washington speech the
National Exposition; Anglia len-
ders, John Tyler, dance and pain-
ting; Anthony McLemore,
Longview, instrumental music,
(cello); Greggory Swanson, John
Tyler, drawing; and our first
national winner, Nicole Brooks,
Robert Lee, playwriting, Omaha,
Neb.'
The first city were Mrs. Evelyn
Cain. Smith organized the ACT-SO
program and also had one national
winner. (2nd in essay.) Mrs. Smith
started the Omaha, Nebr. ACT-SO
program ten years ago and Omaha
has had at least one national winner
every year thereafter. She has
returned home to'Tyler and Omaha
is still winning nationally.
The Tyler Smith County branch of
the NAACP and the Tyler ACT-SO
program committee would like to
thank the entire Tyler Smith County
community and parents for making
the 1990 ACT-SO program suc-
cessful. A formal thank you to all of
our contributors is forecoming.
The ACT-SO Committee, Mrs.
Evelyn Cain, Smith Chairwoman.
A special thanks to the adult
chaperones, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice
Landers, Mrs. Mary Sims, Mrs.
Geraldine Tennyson.
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Wilkinson, S. F. The Tyler Leader (Tyler, Tex.), Vol. 20, No. 1, Ed. 1 Saturday, July 21, 1990, newspaper, July 21, 1990; Tyler, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth885105/m1/1/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Smith County Historical Society.