Thomas Mitchell Campbell
Thomas Mitchell Campbell ( born April 22, 1856 in Rusk, Texas, † April 1, 1923 in Galveston, Texas ) was an American politician and 1907-1911 Governor of the State of Texas.
Early years and political rise
Thomas Campbell attended the public schools of his home. He then studied at Trinity University law. In 1878 he was admitted to the bar. Then he started in Longview to work in his new profession. Since 1889 he worked for the financially troubled International - Great Northern Railroad. After the rescue of the company he was their manager in 1892. His main opponent was the financial mogul Jay Gould, who was preparing to bring this railway under his control. Campbell was against monopolies and retired in 1897 from the railroad business back to work again as a lawyer.
Campbell was a member of the Democratic Party. He shared the liberal views of his friend, former Texas Governor Jim Hogg. This supported him in his efforts to win the governorship in 1906. Hogg may have died before the elections, but Campbell whose policies made in the election campaign on its own and was eventually elected as the new governor of his state.
Governor of Texas
Thomas Campbell took up his new post on January 15, 1907, and was able to exercise it after a re-election in 1908 to 17 January 1911. During his tenure, some reform laws were enacted. Among them were several anti - trust laws. A food control law should ensure the quality of the food. The power of lobbyists has been limited and the funding increased the education budget. In addition, new ministries in Texas to control the banks and insurance companies, for the statistical survey of the labor market as well as to document the history of the state emerged. Also, the rental system of convicts for labor service was abolished.
Further CV
After the end of his governorship Campbell was working as a lawyer again. In 1916, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Governor Campbell died in 1923. Together with his wife Fannie Irene Bruner he had five children.