Texas law
Texas Rangers (law enforcement), special texas law enforcement corps in the state of Texas, first organized in 1835, and since 1935 a division of the state's Department of Public Safety. The Rangers serve with the state highway patrol essentially as an emergency force for situations beyond the control of local police or a sheriff. Although today they are organized into companies of up to 30 people, they have no formal drills or uniforms and are authorized to travel throughout the state in pursuing their duties. The state provides vehicles and weapons, but horses used by Rangers are their own. Their headquarters is in Austin, the state capital.
The Texas Rangers were first organized, on the eve of the Texas Revolution, by the American pioneer and colonizer, Stephen F. Austin to protect Americans from attacks by Comanche and Apache peoples. Austin's first mounted force in 1823 comprised ten Rangers. By 1835, when they were officially organized, the Rangers had three self-equipped companies with 100 men. Their standard weapon was the six-shooter; they also used rifles, lariats, and bowie knives and learned Native American skills in tracking and fighting. They were reputed to ride like Mexicans, shoot like Tennesseans, and fight like the very devil.
After the American Civil War the number of Rangers grew, and they played an important role in the 1870s as frontier fighters, combating lawlessness among raiding Native Americans and Mexicans, feuding cattlemen, and desperadoes. In 1874 the Texas Rangers were reorganized into six companies of 75 men each, and they did much to bring peace to Texas. In the late 19th century they were engaged chiefly in tracking down horse thieves and cattle rustlers.
Texas Rangers Baseball Team
Texas Rangers (team), professional baseball team and one of four teams in the West Division of the American League (AL). Formerly the Washington Senators, the franchise moved to Texas after the 1971 season and took its current name from the states special law-enforcement corps known as Texas Rangers. The Rangers play at Ameriquest Field in Arlington.
The Senators franchise that would become the Rangers joined the AL in 1961. Losing seasons and dwindling attendance eventually convinced the owner of the Senators to move the club after the 1971 season to Arlington, Texas. Pitcher Ferguson Jenkins was an early star, leading the league with 25 wins and 29 complete games in 1974. Infielder Mike Hargrove batted.323 and was named AL rookie of the year, and outfielder Jeff Burroughs earned the AL most valuable player (MVP) award, hitting 25 home runs and leading the AL with 118 runs batted in (RBIs) that season.
For the most part, Texas fielded mediocre teams through the 1970s and 1980s. The team moved from Arlington Stadium to The Ballpark in 1994. With added power from new arrivals Will Clark and Jos Canseco, the Rangers were in first place when the players strike ended the 1994 season prematurely.
In 1996 the Rangers earned their first trip to the postseason but lost to
the New York Yankees in the playoffs. That year Ranger Juan Gonzalez recorded 47 home runs, 47 doubles, and 144 RBIs and was named AL MVP. In 1998 Texas won the West Division title and Gonzalez was again selected league MVP, but the team lost to the Yankees in the playoffs. In 1999 catcher Ivan Rodriguez won the MVP award and led the team to the postseason, but the Rangers lost to the Yankees for the third time in four years. After finishing third in the division in 2000, Texas signed free-agent shortstop Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year, $252-million contract. The deal set a new record for a professional athlete in a team sport.
III.
TRIVIA
In 1971 the final game for the franchise as the Washington Senators was declared a forfeit when fans ran out on the field with two outs in the ninth inning. The clubs first scheduled game as the Rangers in 1972 was cancelled because of a players strike.
IV.
WORLD SERIES RECORD
The Rangers have never played in the World Series.
Texas Government
Texas is governed under a constitution adopted in 1876, as amended. Four earlier constitutions had been adopted, in 1845, 1861, 1866, and 1869. An amendment to the constitution may be proposed by the legislature. To become effective, the amendment must be approved by a majority of people voting on the issue in an election.
A.
Executive
The chief executive of Texas is a governor, who is elected to a term lasting four years and may be reelected any number of times. The lieutenant governor, who succeeds the governor should the latter resign, die, or be removed from office, is also elected, as are the attorney general, treasurer, comptroller of public accounts, commissioner of agriculture, and commissioner of general land office. The influential Texas Railroad Commission, made up of three people popularly elected to six-year terms, regulates the states production of petroleum, natural gas, and coal, as well as its railroads and trucking industry.
B.
Legislative
The Texas legislature is composed of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The 31 senators are popularly elected to four-year terms, and the 150 representatives are elected to two-year terms. The legislature convenes in January.
C.
Judicial
The highest tribunals in Texas are the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals, each with nine justices popularly elected to six-year terms. The states intermediate court of civil appeals is composed of judges popularly elected to six-year terms, and the major trial courts, called district courts, are made up of judges elected to four-year terms. Among the other tribunals in Texas are corporation courts and municipal courts.
D.
Local Government
Texas is divided into 254 counties, more than any other state, and some 1,171 cities and towns. Each county is governed by an elected commissioners court consisting of a county judge or administrator and four commissioners. Other elected county officers include the county attorney, treasurer, sheriff, and assessor-collector of taxes. Many of the cities used the council-manager or commissioner-manager form of government.
E.
National Representation
Texas National Representation
Texas elects two senators and 32 representatives to the Congress of the United States. The state casts 34 electoral votes for president.
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