26.
Commissioners Court - Regular Session
- Meeting Date:
- 03/07/2023
- Title:
- Bicentennial anniversary of the creation of the Constable’s office in Texas.
- Submitted For:
- Russ Boles
- Submitted By:
- Kelley Hernandez, Commissioner Pct. #4
- Department:
- Commissioner Pct. #4
- Agenda Category:
- Regular Agenda Items
Information
Agenda Item
Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on a proclamation recognizing the Bicentennial anniversary of the creation of the Constable’s office in Texas.
Background
The office of Constable dates back at least to 1066 and the Norman Conquest of England. William the Conqueror appointed constables to supervise individual communities, or boroughs.
FOR TEXAS ………. On March 5, 1823, John Tumlinson, the newly elected alcalde of the Colorado District in Stephen F. Austin's first colony in Texas, wrote to the Baron de Bastrop in San Antonio that he had "appointed but one officer who acts in the capacity of Constable to summon witnesses and bring offenders to justice." That appointee, Thomas V. Alley, thus became the first Anglo law enforcement officer in the future republic and state of Texas. Thomas V. Alley was part of Austin’s “Old Three Hundred”
The Constitution of the Republic of Texas (1836) provided for the election in each county of a Sheriff and "a sufficient number of Constables."
Shortly after Texas became a state, an act passed by the legislature specified that the Constable should be "the conservator of the peace throughout the county," adding that "it shall be his duty to suppress all riots, routs, affrays, fighting, and unlawful assemblies, and he shall keep the peace, and shall cause all offenders to be arrested, and taken before some justice of the peace." Constables were the most active law-enforcement officials in many counties during the early statehood of Texas.
FOR TEXAS ………. On March 5, 1823, John Tumlinson, the newly elected alcalde of the Colorado District in Stephen F. Austin's first colony in Texas, wrote to the Baron de Bastrop in San Antonio that he had "appointed but one officer who acts in the capacity of Constable to summon witnesses and bring offenders to justice." That appointee, Thomas V. Alley, thus became the first Anglo law enforcement officer in the future republic and state of Texas. Thomas V. Alley was part of Austin’s “Old Three Hundred”
The Constitution of the Republic of Texas (1836) provided for the election in each county of a Sheriff and "a sufficient number of Constables."
Shortly after Texas became a state, an act passed by the legislature specified that the Constable should be "the conservator of the peace throughout the county," adding that "it shall be his duty to suppress all riots, routs, affrays, fighting, and unlawful assemblies, and he shall keep the peace, and shall cause all offenders to be arrested, and taken before some justice of the peace." Constables were the most active law-enforcement officials in many counties during the early statehood of Texas.
Fiscal Impact
| From/To | Acct No. | Description | Amount |
|---|
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| County Judge Exec Asst. | Becky Pruitt | 03/02/2023 08:52 AM |
- Form Started By:
- Kelley Hernandez
- Started On:
- 02/16/2023 11:51 AM
- Final Approval Date:
- 03/02/2023