The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-01-25

Providiag for Convention Of the People Of
Tennessee
SEC. 1. Be iteaacted By tic General Assam
Jiy Of The Slate Of Tennessee, That an election
for delegates to a Convention of the peo-
pie of the State of Tennessee, shall be
held in the several counties thereof, on
Saturday, the 9th day of February, 1861,
and that said election shall be held ut all
the precincts and voting places establish
ed by law; and shall be managed and
conducted by the Sheiiffs and proper
officers of the counties respectively, in the
manner and subject to the rules prescrib-
ed by law for the election of members of
the Legislature. And it's hereby declor-
ed to be the duty of the Governor to issue
his proclamation to the several Sherifis Of
the State, at least ten DAYS before tho
time appointed for holding said election,
requiring them to hold and conduct the
same as herein lSovided. and said Shcriffs
shall advertise the time and place OF said
election, as in case of the election of
members Of Legislature.
SEC. .. BE IL further enacted, That the
whole number OF delegates elected to said
Convention shall be one hundred, and
that each County shall be represented in
said Convention by the same number of
delegates that it has Representatives in
the Legislature. that each Floating District
shall be represented by one delegate, and
each Senatorial District by one delegate
in said Convention.
SEC. 3. BE il further enacted, That no
person shall be eligible to q seat in said
Convention, who is not twcnty-onc years
of age, and who has not been citizen of
the STATE for twelve months, and of the
county or district from which he is elected,
six months Immediately preceding the
election.
SIC. !. Be Il fa,1Lcr cnacicL That it shall
he the duty of the sheriff of said county
Immediately after said election, to make
n complete return to the Secretary of State
of the votes cast for delegates and for
Convention" or mo Convention" in his
county, and the certificate of election of
the returning officer OF the proper county,
and the certificate of election shall be
evidence in favor of any delegate of his
right to seat in said Convention; subject
if contested. to be decided in such man
ner as the Convention may prescribe.
SEC. 8. Be Il further enacted, That the
delegates elected under the provisions of
this act shall assemble at Nashville on the
25th day of February, 1861, and organize
themselves into Convention, by the
election of President, and such other
| officers as they may deem necessary; and
thus organized shall proceed to consider
the then existing relations between the
Government of the United States, and
the Government and people of the State
of Tennessee, and to adopt such measures
for yindicating the sovereignty of the
State and the protection ofits institutions,
as shall appear to them to be demanded.
Said Convention shall adopt such rules
and regulations for its government and
the transaction of business as it shall
think proper The officers, members and
assistants of said Convention shall receive
the same compensation as is now allowed
by law to the members. officers and asst
ants of the General Assembly of the State,
and to be paid in the same manner by
the Treasurer of the State.
SEC. 6. BE Il further enacted, That in case
of a vacancy occurring in said Convention
by death, resignation, or otherwise, of any
member, it shall be the duty of the Gov
ernor to cause such vacancy to be filed,
if practicable. by issuing his writ Of cleo
ton to the Sheriff or Sberiffs of the pro-
per County or Counties, requiring him or
them on five days notice to hold an cleo
ton according to law, to fill the same.
SEC 7. BE Il also enacted, That in sub
hitting the question of Convention to
the people, they shall have written or
printed on their ballots for Delegates, the
word, Convention mo Convcnton;"
and il the number of votes cast for Con-
vention be greater than the votes cast
against Convention, then there shall be
a Convention.
SIC. g. BE Il fo4Lcr enacted, That no
Ordinance or Resolution which may be
adopted by said Convention having for its
| object a change of the position or relation
of this State to the National Union, or
her sister Southern States, shall be of any
binding force or effect until it is submit
ted to, and ratified and adopted by a
majority of tho qualified voters in the
State, taking as n basis the vote cast in
the last election for Governor and men,
bers of the General Assembly.
SEC. 0. Be il FURTHER enacted, That this
act shall take effect from and after its
passage.