15th Oklahoma Legislature
The 15th Oklahoma Legislature was the 1935 regular session of Oklahoma's bicameral state legislature.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The 15th Oklahoma Legislature was the 1935 meeting of Oklahoma's legislative branch, consisting of the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Its regular session ran from January 8 through April 30, 1935, during the governorship of E. W. Marland. The legislature operated during the economic and political pressures of the Great Depression, when questions about public relief, old-age support, and the state's role in social welfare were becoming central to Oklahoma politics. The legislature's political leadership reflected tensions within the Democratic Party and between the governor and lawmakers. Lieutenant Governor James E. Berry served as president of the Senate in his ceremonial capacity, while Claud Briggs, the elected president pro tempore, acted as the Senate's principal legislative leader. In the House, Democrats held 112 of the 120 seats, giving the party enough control to choose the speaker. Leon C. Phillips became speaker, with Merton Munson serving as speaker pro tempore. Phillips had opposed major proposals associated with former Governor William H. Murray and was also critical of several initiatives advanced by Marland. Marland nevertheless influenced the selection of Phillips, producing a relationship in which the governor and the House leadership were politically connected but not consistently aligned on policy. The legislature's most consequential legacy concerned old-age pensions and related welfare policy. In September 1935, Oklahoma voters considered three state questions addressing pensions and public assistance. State Question 214, which authorized pensions, social security, and a welfare commission, was approved. The Oklahoma Supreme Court subsequently held the measure illegal in February 1936, limiting its immediate effect and exposing constitutional and administrative difficulties in creating a statewide welfare structure. The issue remained active after the legislature's adjournment. On July 7, 1936, voters approved State Question 225, establishing a welfare program, and State Question 226, providing assistance for aged people, blind people, crippled children, and dependent children. In August 1936, Oklahoma created the Department of Public Welfare to administer old-age assistance and other welfare programs. These later developments were not actions of the 15th Legislature itself, but they formed part of the policy aftermath of the period in which the legislature debated and helped frame Oklahoma's response to the Depression-era demand for social protection. As a historical legislative term rather than a continuing organization or commercial brand, the 15th Oklahoma Legislature ceased to exist when its session ended. It was followed by the 16th Oklahoma Legislature.
History
The 15th Oklahoma Legislature met in 1935 as the state's bicameral lawmaking body. The regular session began on January 8 and concluded on April 30, during the administration of Governor E. W. Marland. Oklahoma was then coping with the economic consequences of the Great Depression, and public discussions increasingly focused on pensions, relief, and the creation of institutions capable of administering welfare programs. The legislature's leadership was shaped by Democratic dominance and by disagreements among Democratic officials. James E. Berry, serving as lieutenant governor, was the ceremonial president of the Senate. Claud Briggs held the elected position of president pro tempore and served as the Senate's member-selected leader. Democrats controlled 112 of the Oklahoma House of Representatives' 120 seats. That majority enabled them to select Leon C. Phillips as speaker, with Merton Munson as speaker pro tempore. Phillips had previously opposed proposals associated with former Governor William H. Murray, and he also opposed a number of initiatives promoted by Marland. Marland played a role in Phillips's selection as speaker, but the arrangement did not eliminate policy differences between the governor and the House leadership. The resulting political relationship illustrates the internal divisions that could exist within Oklahoma's dominant party during the period. The legislature's broader historical importance is tied to old-age pensions and social welfare. In September 1935, Oklahoma voters considered three state questions concerning pensions. State Question 214 passed and authorized pensions, social security, and a welfare commission. The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the measure illegal in February 1936, preventing it from serving as a durable legal foundation for the state's welfare system. The effort to create a statewide assistance structure continued after that ruling. On July 7, 1936, voters approved State Question 225, which established a welfare program, and State Question 226, which authorized assistance for aged people, blind people, crippled children, and dependent children. In August 1936, the Oklahoma Department of Public Welfare was established to administer old-age assistance and other welfare programs. Although these later developments occurred after the 15th Legislature adjourned, they are closely associated with the policy questions raised during its period and help explain its place in Oklahoma's legislative history. The 15th Oklahoma Legislature was a time-limited governmental institution rather than a continuing organization. Its session ended on April 30, 1935, and it was succeeded by the 16th Oklahoma Legislature.
- 1936
State Question 214 is ruled illegal
[1]The Oklahoma Supreme Court invalidated the measure in February.
- 1936
New welfare questions are approved
[1]Voters approved State Questions 225 and 226 on July 7, creating a welfare program and assistance provisions for several vulnerable groups.
- 1936
Department of Public Welfare is established
[1]Oklahoma established the Department of Public Welfare in August to administer old-age assistance and related programs.
- 1935
Regular session begins
[1]The Senate and House of Representatives convened on January 8 for the regular session of the 15th Oklahoma Legislature.
- 1935
Leon C. Phillips becomes House speaker
[1]The Democratic House majority selected Leon C. Phillips as speaker, with Merton Munson as speaker pro tempore.
- 1935
Regular session concludes
[1]The legislature adjourned its regular session on April 30.
- 1935
State Question 214 is approved
[1]Voters approved a pension, social security, and welfare-commission measure in September.
Products and positioning
A state legislative institution focused on lawmaking and public policy in Oklahoma during the 1935 session, with particular historical relevance to debates over pensions and welfare administration.
Brand decisions
1935
Legislative leadership selected amid executive-legislative disagreementsStrategyBackground
Governor E. W. Marland influenced the selection of Leon C. Phillips as House speaker, even though Phillips opposed several Marland initiatives and had previously opposed proposals associated with William H. Murray.
Action taken
The Democratic House majority selected Phillips as speaker and Merton Munson as speaker pro tempore.
Aftermath
The arrangement preserved Democratic control of the House but did not remove policy tensions between the governor and legislative leadership.
1935
Pension and welfare measure submitted to votersOtherBackground
Old-age pensions and social welfare were major public-policy issues during the Depression-era session and its aftermath.
Action taken
State Question 214 was presented to Oklahoma voters and approved in September.
Aftermath
The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the measure illegal in February 1936, prompting further efforts to establish a legally workable welfare system.
Recent events
- 1936
The Oklahoma Supreme Court invalidates State Question 214[1]
Regulation · Other
The court ruled that the pension and welfare measure approved in 1935 was illegal.
- 1936
Oklahoma voters approve new welfare measures[1]
Regulation · Other
State Questions 225 and 226 were approved, establishing a welfare program and assistance for aged people, blind people, crippled children, and dependent children.
- 1936
Oklahoma establishes a Department of Public Welfare[1]
Other
The state created a Department of Public Welfare to administer old-age assistance and other welfare programs.
- 1935
The 15th Oklahoma Legislature convenes for its regular session[1]
Other
Oklahoma's Senate and House met from January 8 through April 30 during Governor E. W. Marland's administration.
- 1935
Oklahoma voters approve State Question 214[1]
Regulation · Other
Voters approved a measure concerning pensions, social security, and a welfare commission, although the Oklahoma Supreme Court later ruled the measure illegal.
Sources1 sources
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