Before 1930, Dallas was a site for the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan. A decade before this year, one in five eligible men were part of the KKK in Dallas. The presence and influence of this group extended to the courthouse and City Hall. Voters placed Klan or Klan-supported candidates in these offices (Payne, 2017).
Due to the KKK receiving support, the city’s elite were concerned about the image of Dallas. “…the constant violent turbulence caused by the racial tensions, the
labor strife and the KKK created an environment that threatened their efforts to promote Dallas
as a cosmopolitan city and attract new businesses and investors” (Wisely, 2011, p. 26).
As a result of these concerns, the business community promoted the idea of a city manager, a change that would favor the interests of those with power and money. With efforts from the newly-formed Citizen’s Charter Association (CCA), this change to the city government was passed in 1930. Now, running the city, was similar to running a corporation. The city manager reports to the Mayor and City Council similar to a CEO answering to a board of directors. Furthermore, “The CCA was intended to protect Dallas citizens from self-serving politicians by endorsing only men of integrity. However, the nomination process was controlled by the CCA leadership, which was dominated by businessmen and professionals, and candidates tended to have pro-business sensibilities” (Rusell, 2021, para. 1).
The video below explains the mayor-council form of government and how it affects Austinites.
Sources:
Wisely, K. S. (2011). The “Dallas way” in the gayborhood: The creation of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in Dallas, Texas, 1965-1986 (Order No. 1520474) [Doctoral dissertation, University of North Texas]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
Payne, D. (2017, June) When Dallas was the most racist city in America. https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2017/june/when-dallas-was-the-most-racist-city-in-america/
Rusell, S. (2021, June 18). Citizens charter association. Texas State Historical Association. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/citizens-charter-association