The Crisis at Mansfield

Allan Shivers

           Allan Shivers was born on October 5, 1907, in Lufkin, Texas to a poor East Texas family. After graduating from Port Arthur High School in 1931, Shivers attended the University of Texas and graduated in 1934 with a law degree. After passing the state bar exam, Shivers worked in a private law practice until 1936, when he was elected as a Democrat to the state senate. At the time Shivers became the youngest serving state senator at the age of twenty-seven. In 1937 he married Marialice Shary, the daughter of a wealthy family, which offered an avenue for an ambitious political career.[1]

            In 1946, he was elected state lieutenant governor and was reelected two years later. During his tenure as lieutenant governor Shivers implemented the practice of appointing senators to specific committees and worked closely with Democratic Governor Beauford H. Jester. Upon Jester’s death in 1949, Shivers assumed the role of governor and held the position for the next eight years. As governor, Shivers was known for his competitive personality as well as his influence on the state senate and court decisions.[2]

            In the gubernatorial race of 1954 Shivers took a more vocal stance on keeping Texas schools segregated and politicized the issue throughout his campaign. When discussing segregation on the campaign trail, Shivers said, “We are going to keep the system that we know is best. No law, no court, can wreck what God has made. Nobody can pass a law and change it.”^[6] In addition, he began to attack his primary opponent, Yarbrough, on the issue of segregation and claimed that Yarborough and the NAACP had similar goals. Yarborough responded to the accusations by saying he was against, “the commingling of races in public schools.”^[7] Shivers won the run-off primary against Yarborough and was reelected to the position of Texas governor for an unprecedented third term. During the campaign, Shivers adopted a party platform that denounced the Supreme Court’s Brown I decision as an “unwarranted invasion of state’s rights.”^[

           On July 27, 1955, Shivers appointed a forty-member committee to study and assess the segregation issues Texas would face in the wake of the Brown I and Brown II decisions. The responsibility of the committee was to determine whether state legislation was needed and whether both races were motivated to attend desegregated public schools.^[9] Later that year the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the laws on segregation were invalidated by the United States Supreme Court’s decisions. Shivers responded by saying, “In the light of these decisions, no school district should feel compelled to take hasty or unnecessary action.”^[10] Shivers directed his statement towards local school boards who hoped to maintain segregation, despite the court rulings, and further stall the integration process.

            In January 1956, Shivers wrote to Virginia Governor Thomas B. Stanley, requesting a copy of the state’s interposition resolution.^[11] After receiving the resolution Shivers sent the document to the Texas Advisory Committee on Segregation in Public Schools as it began to circulate among lawmakers. During February and March of 1956, state lawmakers, organizations and citizens signed petitions that requested the governor to call a special session, in order to address the issues of state’s rights and interposition. However by this time Shivers was aware of the break-down in his political machine, and in March 1956 announced he would not seek a fourth term. Although power of the “Shivercrats” faction was waning, Shivers backed Price Daniel as governor and continued his cause for interposition. In September 1956, Shivers came out again in support of Eisenhower. By the beginning of the new school in September, over 100 school districts in Texas were desegregated or in the process of desegregating. However, in the town of Mansfield, Texas, the segregation issue escalated to national attention and demanded action from the Governor.

Official Statement Allan Shivers 1952-10-22

Shivers’ support for Eisenhower demonstrated his desire to place political issues before party loyalty. Supporting a Republican for president was controversial, but helped reaffirm Shivers’ stance on conservative principles and states’ rights.

Official Statement Allan Shivers 1955-09-18

Shivers’ endorsement of President Eisenhower for reelection in 1956. Eisenhower’s support for the Texas tidelands claim, along with his stance on separation of powers and states’ rights, ensured Shivers’ endorsement in 1952 and 1956.

Press Memorandum Allan Shivers 1956-01-27

A press memorandum from Allan Shivers discussing a letter sent to Virginia Governor Stanley and his interest in "interposition." The memorandum states that Shivers appointed a fifteen-member committee to study the issue from a "legal and educational standpoint."

Allan Shivers to The Advisory Committee on Segregation 1956-02-23

Shivers reaffirming his support for the interposition proposal and an amendment to the U.S Constitution clarifying and strengthening the Tenth Amendment.

Press Memorandum Allan Shivers 1956-02-23

Shivers proposed a referendum to Texas voters on the question of interposition by means of a constitutional amendment.

Press Memorandum Allan Shivers 1956-04-12

Shivers philosophy on states’ rights stressed the need to assert the power of the people in contrast to the growth of the federal government. The federal government had been acting against the wishes of many Texans which pressured Shivers to reaffirm his strong stance on states’ rights.

Due to the heightened tension in Mansfield and the public outcry for action, Shivers responded to the situation. On August 31, 1956, he released a press memorandum acknowledging L. Clifford Davis’ request for law enforcement and aid. Shivers stated:

            Law and order must be maintained in Mansfield, as in the rest of Texas.

                        Neither the Governor’s Office nor the Department of Public Safety has received any request from the Tarrant County sheriff for assistance. When and of such a request is made, it will be honored.

                        I am certainly not inclined to move state officers into Mansfield at the call of a lawyer affiliated with the National Association for Advancement of Colored People, whose premature and unwise efforts have created this unfortunate situation at Mansfield.^[12]

Press Memorandum Allan Shivers 1956-08-31 Part I

A press memorandum from Allan Shivers that discusses receiving a telegram from L. Clifford Davis. The memorandum states that the Governor's Office has not received any request for assistance from the Tarrant County sheriff. In addition the memorandum states that Shivers is "not inclined" to move state officers at the call of affiliates to the NAACP.

Press Memorandum Allan Shivers 1956-08-31 Part II

The Governor’s orders sending the Texas Rangers to Mansfield High School to keep the peace on August 31, 1956. The presence of Texas Rangers would ensure the failure of integration in Mansfield. Rather than enforce court orders on integration, Governor Shivers justified his actions as ensuring peace in Mansfield and allowing time for a possible appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in staying integration orders.

   Later that day, Shivers released a second memorandum announcing a three-step plan for dealing with the Mansfield situation. The first step was to use the powers of governor to enforce laws and instructed Colonel Garrison to send Texas Rangers to Mansfield to cooperate with local authorities in preserving the peace. The second action stated that Shivers was in contact with O. C. Rawdon and urged the school board to transfer out of the district any students, white or black, whose attendance or attempts to attend Mansfield High School would incite violence. Shivers further stated that the action would be in line with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision concerning Autherine Lucy’s efforts to integrate the University of Alabama. The final action was instructions to Colonel Garrison that the Texas Rangers arrest anyone whose actions would threaten the peace at Mansfield.^[13] As a result, the governor’s plan ensured that segregation would continue in Mansfield High School by not offering escorts for African American students who attempted to enroll.

     On September 6, Shivers held a news conference and declared his actions in Mansfield were successful in restoring order and that the crisis in Mansfield was over. He went on to say the blame of the turmoil was due to “paid agitators,” which he indirectly attributed to the actions of the NAACP. Western Union telegrams flooded Shivers’ office stating that he should be commended for his actions, while others called for the NAACP organization to be “thrown out of the state for attempting to create riots.”^[14] At the end of his term, Shivers left the governor’s office in good favor. After his departure, Texas Attorney General Shepperd and the new Governor, Price Daniel, continued his policies on segregation. During the 1957 Little Rock Crisis, Shivers visited President Eisenhower and Attorney General Brownell at the president’s vacation home in Newport, Rhode Island. The former Texas governor advised the executive branch on Arkansas Governor Orval Fabus and Eisenhower deemed federal intervention necessary.

Official Memorandum Allan Shivers 1956-09-27

An official memorandum from Allan Shivers designating October 13, 1956 as "Ike Day," in celebration of President Dwight Eisenhower. The memorandum compliments Eisenhower's achievements and praises him for being the only Texas who has served as chief executive. In addition the memorandum urges Texans to participate in this tribute to Eisenhower.

Press Memorandum Allan Shivers 1956-10-30

The two press memorandums from Allan Shivers discusses the presentation of an autographed portrait of President Eisenhower. In addition the second press memorandum displays disappointment that Eisenhower had to cancel a speech in Dallas and praises the President's accomplishments.

Telegram Early Northrup to Allan Shivers 1956-08-31

Telegram suggesting the governor and attorney general ban the NAACP from operating in Texas for instigating riots.

Telegram Joe Pool to Allan Shivers 1956-08-31

A telegram from State Representative Joe Pool asking Governor Shivers to call a special legislative session to outlaw the NAACP in Texas. Many citizens around the state shared the Governor’s opinion that the Mansfield crisis was instigated by the NAACP and actions needed to be taken to ensure they did not have their way. Rep. Pool also suggested strengthening segregation and marriage laws and the consideration of interposition in light of court rulings in favor of integration.

Palmer Hutcheson Telegram to Allan Shivers 1956-09-02

Telegram from Texas attorney Palmer Hutcheson to Gov. Shivers referring to Tennessee Gov. Clement's efforts to desegregate schools peacefully and to the effigy hung at Mansfield High School.

Robert Hayes to Allan Shivers 1956-09-04

A letter from a Texas citizen to Allan Shivers commending him on his actions in Mansfield, TX. In addition the letter discusses rumors that Shivers will be leaving public office to accept the position of president of a "big Houston bank."

Allan Shivers to Rep. Joe Pool 1956-09

Shivers’ response to State Representative Joe Pool. The Governor denied the request for a special session of the legislature to consider outlawing the NAACP’s practices in Texas for the moment.

Allan Shivers to Robert Hayes 1956-09

A letter from Allan Shivers to Robert "Bob" Hayes thanking him for his support during the Mansfield Crisis. Shivers views the majority of responses to his Mansfield decision as favorable.

[1] Ben H. Procter, "SHIVERS, ROBERT ALLAN," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fsh40), accessed April 29, 2015. Uploaded on June 15, 2010. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.

Allan Shivers Oral History Interview (1 of 2)

A transcript of Shivers's interview concerning his political career

Allan Shivers Oral History Interview (2 of 2)

Shivers's political career and Texas political history