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July 8, 2024
Today in Texas History
On this day in 1868, Titus H. Mundine shocked the Constitutional Convention of 1868-69 by proposing to enfranchise women and African Americans.
Mundine, a strong Unionist, was born in Alabama in 1826 and came to Texas in 1845; he represented Burleson County at the convention.
His resolution read: "Every person, without distinction of sex, who shall have arrived at the age of twenty-one years . . . shall be deemed a qualified elector."
After a good deal of what one reporter called "squabbling and fun," a motion to reject was defeated, and the resolution was sent to the Committee on State Affairs. It was never reported out of the committee, although according to newspapers Mundine continued to champion his "favorite measure."
Mundine may have been the first man in a position of power to propose woman suffrage in Texas. He died in 1872.
Mundine, a strong Unionist, was born in Alabama in 1826 and came to Texas in 1845; he represented Burleson County at the convention.
His resolution read: "Every person, without distinction of sex, who shall have arrived at the age of twenty-one years . . . shall be deemed a qualified elector."
After a good deal of what one reporter called "squabbling and fun," a motion to reject was defeated, and the resolution was sent to the Committee on State Affairs. It was never reported out of the committee, although according to newspapers Mundine continued to champion his "favorite measure."
Mundine may have been the first man in a position of power to propose woman suffrage in Texas. He died in 1872.