First term as governor In 1914, Ferguson was
elected as governor of Texas by running as an anti-
prohibitionist Democrat. When the Democratic Party dominated the Texas political landscape, winning the Democratic primary often sealed the election results. Ferguson was the only "wet" candidate in the Democratic primary and garnered all of the anti-prohibitionist votes over a plurality of "dry" candidates. Numerous reforms were implemented during Ferguson's first term, such as measures aimed at improving working conditions and a farm tenant law that provided for the rent on Texas farms to be limited to one-fourth of the cotton and one-third of the grain produced. In the Senate, it was accepted by a vote of 23 to 4. Similarly, in the House, it was accepted by 100 votes to 24. According to one study, however, the law "was not rigidly enforced and was declared unconstitutional in 1921." Prior to his inauguration, Ferguson conferred with officials at the
University of Texas regarding appointments affecting learning and higher education. According to historian Dan Utley, Ferguson planned to use state appointments as part of a
spoils system to reward his political supporters. He tapped Reverend Allan Ferguson Cunningham to serve as State Librarian, despite his lack of training or experience in the field. The incumbent State Librarian was
Ernest Winkler, who was a professional historian with years of experience as a librarian. The chair of the State Library and Historical Commission,
Eugene C. Barker, heard talk about these plans and intervened in support of Winkler. He convened the commission, and the body approved that Barker write a letter to the Governor-elect. The letter claimed that Winkler was the best person for the job. Meanwhile, Winkler fought for his job by enlisting the help of his colleagues. Other high-profile librarians voiced their support of Winkler, as did the son of an ex-governor, and a chapter of the
Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
Second term as governor Further reforms were realized during Ferguson's second term, including a law establishing
Mothers' pensions and additional labor legislation. The accusations against Mayes were that he used his ownership of newspapers, including the
Brownwood Bulletin, to spread negative information about Ferguson. The
Texas Senate, many of whom had served under Mayes and with whom Mayes maintained cordial relationships, removed Ferguson as governor and declared him ineligible to hold office under Texas jurisdiction. He is the only statewide officeholder to be convicted and removed from office. Despite this, Ferguson ran for governor in the
1918 Democratic primary, but was defeated by his successor and incumbent,
William P. Hobby of
Houston, previously the
lieutenant governor. == Presidential candidate ==