Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-01-11
Tennessee Lseislsturs.

Mr.. Richards, on Saturday, offered the
following bill in lieu of,hat of Mr., Ryder
offered on Thursday:
A bill 10 be entitled an act to provide for the
calling of . convention for the purpose Of SO
amending the constitution as to establish
universal suffrage and absolute and perma-
neat equality before the law Of all races:
WHEREAS, The existing franchise reg
ulatious of this State were adopted at a
period of great turmoil and excitement,
and were in their inception intended only
to serve as temporary expsdient; and,
WHEREAS, The necessity for such reg
ulations have now evidently ceased TO ex-
list; and,
WHEREAS, It is the evident wish of a
large number OF the citizens OF Tennessee
that the civil disabilities arising under
said franchise regulations shoald be now
removed; therefore.
Belt enacted by the General assembly
oft State Of Tennessee, That it shall
Be the duty OF the Governor OF this
State, Immediately on the passage Of this
act, to make known the same TO the
qualified voters Of the State BY special
proclamation, and to summon said quail
fed voters to attend st the usual places
of holding elections in the various couu-
ties, for the purpose OF deciding BY vote
whether or not Il is the wish OF said voters,
or a msjority thereof, that the members
of the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentaiives of the Legislature, constituting
the General Assembly of the State of
Tennessee, should come together as a
Joint committee on the I'D day of Feb
ruary, 1869, at the capitol, in the city of
Nashville, and have power when they
meet in convention, by authority of the
sovereign people of Tennessee, to adopt
formal ordinance, relieving all citizens
of the State now suffering under civil dis
abilities imposed by the existing fran
chise enactments altogether from same,
and securing at the same time, by terms
of said ordinance, to all classes of people
in Tennessee, without regard to race,
complexion, or lineage, absolute
and permanent equality before the
law; and qualified voters Of the
State when in attendance at the places
of election, as herein mentioned, shall
be required to inscribe on the ballots
deposited by them, either the word |
Convention" or words No Conven-
ton" in token of their ratification or
rejection Of the proposition for holding a
Convention, thus submitted to them, and |
q majority of the votes cast in said cleo
ton shall be decisive of the result
Then follows the usual enacting clause.
Mr.. Richards supported his bill with |
great ability, and with great credit to |
himself. Mr.. Bosom thought the bill |
should be referred to committee. Mr.,
Roach favored the bill. Mynott de- |
nounced Ryder and Richards for intro
ducing so honorable measure before |
"a Republican House" Ryder defended |
It, and made an earnest protest against |
the continuance of a proscriptive policy. |
The bill was indefinitely postponed by |
81 to 20. So large vote as twenty is
encouraging, and the matter may come
up again before the session closes. Bills
to submit Q similar proposition to the
next Legislature are also before the body,
involving long delay, which may, there
fore, carry. East Tennessee is solid
against Richards bill. The name of
Rev. DR.. Pearne, of Memphis, has been
sent to the Senate for police commits
sioner, vice Beaumont, resigned.