Why did the authors of the current Texas Constitution want to place strong limits on the Texas government? Discuss the ways in which they accomplished this goal.

What will be an ideal response?

Students should describe the circumstances of the writing of the current constitution, in particular the experience of losing the Civil War and having to live under the Reconstruction regime of E. J. Davis, forced on them by the national government, which did not represent most Texans’ preferences. They should discuss the strong civil liberties provisions, including the fact that habeas corpus cannot be suspended, as limitations on the government. They should identify the various limitations on the legislature. These include biennial sessions of 140 days, low salaries, and numerous restrictions on the subjects of legislation, particularly the restrictions on taxing. The limitations on the executive should also be discussed, including the plural executive. The fact that the original constitution gave the governor a two-year term and limited the number of terms a governor could serve can be mentioned, although it is not crucial since these provisions have been changed. The numerous policy provisions in the constitution should also be mentioned.