"Texas for Ma"

"It has been said by some people that I will be dominated and controlled by my husband, that he will be Governor and I a dummy. Others have said I will be boss and will administer the affairs of office according to my own ideas and will not accept any counsel or advice from my husband.

"I think it proper to make a frank statement of my position. Some of my friends have advised me to announce that I will not listen to Mr. Ferguson's advice or permit him to influence me in any of my official acts. I cannot make a statement of that nature, for it would not be true. There has always existed that degree of confidence and understanding between Governor Ferguson and me which should exist between every husband and wife. I have always been loyal to my husband and family, and if I thought for a minute that my election would mean that our home would be broken up by destruction of the mutual confidence and respect we have always entertained for each other I would not have the office."

The ex-Governor put in:

"She will be the Governor, and if I can help her, of course, like any other citizen who is interested in her welfare and wishes her success, I will do it. But Miriam will be the Governor. Fortunately for Texas, my wife measures up to the job entrusted to her by the Democrats of the State."

The state of Texas had held its second primary. The contestants were Judge Felix D. Robertson (with Klan support) and Miriam A. Ferguson, wife of a Governor who was impeached and removed from office in 1918. She and her husband, who is a hot campaigner, made the Klan the issue--and "Ma" Ferguson won by a margin of about 90,000 votes in a total of almost 800,000. In Texas, a Democratic nominee is considered as good as elected and "Ma" Ferguson is now the Democratic nominee.

After her victory was assured, Mrs. Ferguson summed up her opinions:

"I think that what happened in Texas yesterday is the death knell of the Klan in Texas, and, furthermore, I think it a blow that is going to be felt by the Klan in every other State in which it has gained a foothold. And I will also say that I am firmly convinced that the splendid victory of the anti-Klan ticket is going to prove a godsend to our National ticket. To my way of thinking, it will be impossible from now on for the Republicans to use the Klan issue against our party. The Democrats have purged their party of this menace, but the same cannot be said of the Republicans with their Klan candidates in Indiana, Maine and elsewhere.

"As to my course, I don't mind saying that when I become Governor no Kluxers need apply. I will appoint no masked officeholders while I am in the Governor's chair. The reign of the Ku Klux will end when I go in."