Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-08-13
RivRR HILL, McMipn Co. I
lima q fRS3
Yours respectfully,
w. q. VAUGHAN
JACKSON. Tenn, 2Ist June, 1855

Yours respectfully,
VIC. VAUGHAN.
JACKSON, Tenn, 2lst June, 1858
VIC. Vauqhon ESQ: Dear Sir-Ycur letter Of
the 9th inst was received some time since, but
circumstances over which hal no control have
hitherto prevented reply.
agree with you that the question Of "Amend-
ing, revising OF forming new constitution" is OF
"grave importance to the people Of Tennesse, and
one that demands serious meditation and profound
investigation" Without at present entering into
an Argument in favor of tue Amendments that oc
cur 10 me as being necessary and proper to the
Constitution, I shall content myself with briel
outline of some OF the Amendments which 10
my judgment should be nader
First. The mode 81 appointing Judges Of the
different Courts, Should in my opinion, be chang
ed. and the appointment power vested In the Gov
ernor and state Senate in the manner prescribed
by the Cons tuition Of the United States. The
wisdom of that provision 81 the Constitution Of
the United States, in regard 10 the appointment OF
Judges, has, believe. never been questioned. and
the only proposition TO change the mooe OF 40
pointment prescribed by the Constitution of the
UOited States, seems to me 70 be the production
Of the distempered brain OF some designating
deIn0gogue.
That virtuous, Independent, upright and en-
lightened Judiciary 10 the great bulwark of pro-
tec ion to the lives, liberties property and repua
ton of free people. is proposition, the truth
of which, il seems TO me cannot be denied, or dis
puted II this proposition be conceded then II fol-
lows necessary con- equence that the best
mode Of securing such Judiciary should be as
cerained and secured
If the mode Of appointment here Indicated was
provided, the Governor and Senate would he re-
sponsble to the people directly for bad appoint
ment, ard would be hid accountable for an i'm
proper faithless discharge # so responsible and
important duty and trust
Under the present mode of appointment of
Judges, there is In effect, Individual response
| bility resting on any for d bat appointment.
Secondly. Tie Secr.try Of State, the Comp
troler OF tie Treasury, an Site Treasurer,
should, In my OPTION, be appointed by the Gov.
ernor aud : enate in the manner before indicated
for the appoiuti ent Of Judg 8. The Secretary.
Comptroller aud Treasurer constitute a part of
the Executive drpar ment Of the government, for
tho fsithiul administrations o. W ic the Cover.
is irectly responsible 10 inc people, aud be-
ing thus responsible, II would seem but just and
proper tina, he should be aowd 10 select these OIL
fice for whose official couduct he Is responsible.
| II he makes bad selection, he IS u amensble to
the peope, aud they eau hold him accountable at
the next election.
! Thirdly. The Courts should be Constitutional
Courts aud not subj ct 10 be msdc or unmade, or
changed at any session Of the legislature, accor-
ding to the whlm caprice Of that body.
/ Fou,tly. There should not be regular sessions
of the Legislature held citener thai once IN three
years. The Governor should have power 10 con.
vene the Legislative body on extraordinary occa-
sions, as is now the case II required by the pub.
| lie Interest. The sessions of the Legislature
should be restricted TO ninety days,a most.
! Filthy. The power Of the Legislature TO cre-
ale State indie bedness, ii not wholly abolished
should be greatly modified and restricted. II this
were done, it could not well be doubted that the
value of the bonds already issued, and authosized
| hv law IN ha leaned nv the stale in aid
| Of Railroad companies, and for other purposes,
Would be greatly enhanced by such provision. 3
sixthly. The power Of this Legislature 10 pass
| local laws, or laws creating municipal corpora
tons of a purely local character for manufacture
ing. mining, &c. ought 10 be prohibited by the
Constitution. II is competent for q convention 10
make Constitutional provision for erecting all
such corporations without any legislation ON the
subject, other than some general law, prescribing
the manner 10 which such corporations may be
| formed. The history of ths legislation o, the
State OF Tenness ee for the last ten years ought Ia
convince the most casual observer that this power
of local legislation, and Of creating municipal
and other corporations. such as are here specified
ought TO be ia not on irely prohi by the Con-
stiiuton, so limited aud restricted as TO prevent
The Legislature from encouraging such corpora
tons to the prejudice and injury Of the people not
directly interested in them.
| Sevrnthly. The power Of creating Banks ought
10 be restricted that all BaLks should be requir
ed to have in their vaults al all times, at leas
one dollar in gold and silver, for overy three
dollars Of lab lities oil all descriptions against
them. And no Bank should be allowed 10 issue
any note Of less denomination than twenty dol
lars. Such provision in regard to Bank issues
would have the effect Of keeping in circulation
suficiency of gold and silver in the hands OF the
sboring classes; including small farmers and me-
chanics, to prevent item from suffering losses by
a suspension Of specie payment by Banks, which
past experience shows will occasionally occur, SO
long Us Banks exist in the country. And the
banking system is too firmly ensrafted on the poll
icy Of the country for us TO entertain any reason
able hope that il could entirely be dispens d with
in any reasonable length Of time, even il II were
thought desirable 10 do 30.
Eighthly. 7 hen State Senators should be elias
si6ed so TO have one half or third out Of Of
fee after tie LIST session Of the legislature, that
we might always have some part Of the Senate
composed OF men possessing some practical KIN wi.
edge and experience in legislation.
These constitute the principal amendments
which | think should be made TO the Constitution
they are my individual opinions, what my fellow
citizens may think of them cannot tell.
can only say that they the result of the
reflections Of one having no Interest In the sub.
jet beyond dssiIe TO promete in the highest pos
sible degree the interest, the prosperity, the hon
or, the glory, and The happiness Of the people o
his adopted State.
lam very Rerpecifplly,
MIcAIAH BULLOCK.