Texas. Legislature

The Texas Legislature's Central Investigating Committees of the House and Senate were formed in 1917 to investigate every state department and institution in Texas. The investigation was an outgrowth of general public suspicion and distrust of state government, aggravated by: the entry of the United States into World War I and the resulting distrust of German-Americans; the impeachment of Governor Ferguson earlier in 1917; and charges of corruption and collusion made against officials and employees associated with or appointed by Ferguson.

On September 5, 1917, during the 3rd Called Session of the 35th Legislature, 11 representatives offered an unnumbered simple resolution calling for a statewide investigation and providing for a steering committee to formulate recommendations and procedural plans for conducting that investigation. Shortly later, the steering committee offered an unnumbered supplemental resolution proposing the creation of the House Central Executive Committee. The Committee was to be composed of 10 House members who would be divided into 10 subcommittees and investigate a group of agencies and institutions. Each of the subcommittees was to be assigned a second House member. The Committee was to receive clerical assistance, and submit a final report to the House and to the Governor. The Central Executive Committee members included: Representatives Bryan, Cope, Fairchild, Fly (the chair), Johnson, McMillin, Sentell, Spencer, and Tillotson. The additional appointees included: Sackett, Seawright, Terrell, Pillow, Davis of Grimes, Holaday, McDowra, O'Banion, De Bogory, and Hudspeth.

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