James Clayton McNealus

Based in Dallas, McNealus was a state senator (1910-1921) and newspaperman, working as Dallas Herald telegraph editor (1884-), Dallas Daily Times-Herald managing editor (1896-), and the owner and editor of the Dallas Democrat (1910s). In the Senate, he worked for prohibition and women’s suffrage, and sponsored two significant and early environmental bills.

In 1913, he was author of SB 4, regarding stream pollution. SB 4 was one of the first water quality laws in the state, prohibiting cities, slaughterhouses, packing plants, and manufacturers from discharging untreated sewage and industrial effluent to Texas rivers. Beyond his legislative work, McNealus helped with later injunctions to force compliance with the law, resulting in treatment facilities for both Dallas, and later, Fort Worth.

In the same year, he was also author of SB 61, regarding wildlife protection. While the bill did not ultimately pass, it sought to tighten hunting seasons and bag limits, impose stronger penalties for violations, and appoint additional game wardens to enforce the law.