Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-11-26
THE CONVENTION.
THE PEOPLE AUTHORIZED TO
GAEL A CONVENTION TO
AMEND THE CONSTITUTION.
FULL TEXT OF TIE BILL AS 1T FINAL
LY PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND BE-
CAME A LAW.

Sui 10 ned is the Convention bill, which
became II law on the 18th instant
bill to authorize the people to call convention,
aud for other purposes.
Whereas, According TO section ], article
|, of the Declaration of Rights, all power is
inherent in the people, aad all free govern
ments are founded On their authority aud in-
stituted for their peace, safety and happ'-
ness ; and
Whe o s, It l. declared tina, for the ad-
vano nent of these ends, the p 5ople have,
at all times, an in4lienable right to alter,
reform or abolish the government in such
manner as they may thitk p oper and
Whrrea,, Iu tue opinion of this General
Assembly, the pnblic exigencies do now de-
mand the exercise of these Inherent and
reserved powers on the part of the people
of the State, therefore,
Section l. Be 1t enacted by the General
Assembly of the State of Tennessee, Tnat
every m lle person not convicte and rem
dered Infamous for crime, of the age of
twenty lone years, being ci liz IN of the
United ates and a citizen of the county
where he m ~ offer his vote, six months
next preceding the day Of election, is here
by authorized to assemble on the third
Saturday of December, 1869, at the several
places OF holding elections in the several
s. u
Convention to an end. revise, or form and
m IKE a new Constitution for the State and
no certificate or other qnahGc alton than the
| foregoing sh III be required by the judges
holding said elections.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That in
| submitting the question of Convention to
| the people, they shall have written or prin-
| ted on their ballots the words 4" Conven.
tion," or No Convention - and If the
number OF votes cast for a Convention, bs
greater than the votes cast against Con-
yenlioD, then there shall be a Convention.
Sec. 3. Be 1t further enacted, That an
| election for delegates TO convention of the
| people of the State shall be- held In the
several counties thereof at the same time
| and places, aud that said election shall be
held at all the precincts and voting places
established by law, and shall be managed
| and conducted by the Commissioner OF
Registration and other proper officers OF
| the counties respectively, In the same man.
ner and under the same rules and regula.
lions that members of the General Assem-
bly, are now elected, as heretofore prescri
bed by section LIST of this act, and IL is here
by declared TO be the duty of the Governor
to issue his proclamation to the several
Commissioners of Registration of the State
Immediately after the passage of this act,
1
same as herein provided. The aid Com
missioners of Registration shall advertise
| the time aud PLACES of said election AS in
cases of member Of the General Assem-
hlv.
Sec. 4. Be It further enacted, That the
whole number of delegates elected 10 said
Convention shall be seyenty-fge.
Sec. 5. Be 1t further enacted, That each
one OF the Representative Districts, as es.
tablished by the superintendent act Of 18th
Of February, 1859, shall constitute dis
trict, and elect and send TO said Conven'
tion exactly the same number Of delegates
that they have Representatives III the
General Assembly by said act OF apportion'
| ment
See 6. Be it fursher enacted, That each
one Of the FloRtorial Districts, as establish.
cd by said act OF app jrtionment, shall con
stitute district, and elect and send to said
Convention each one delegate.
Sec. I. Be II further enacted, That the
votes Ia the several Representative and
Floatorial Districts, shall be compared at
the several places where the votes for mem.
bers Of the General Assembly we're compar.
ed in the last August election.
See. 8, Be II further enacted, That nc
person shall DO eligible to seat In said
Convention who is not twenty lone years of
State for twelve months, aud Of the county
aud district from which he Is elected sl
months Immediately preceding the election
Sec. Q. Be 1t further enacted, That al
laws requiring test oaths to enable persons
10 become candidates for office, or reqnir-
ing judges and clerks OF elections to take
SAID Oalhs, shall not apply to tho eltc ion
to be held undertthis act.
Sec. 10. BE 1t further enacted, That il
case Of the DEATH refusal TO serve, resgna
ton or removal from this State OF any dele
gate, the vacancy thereby shall be hhed II
he same manner prescribed by law for the
filling OF vacancies In the representation Il
the General Assembly.
Sec. /. BE Il further enacted, That I
shall he The duty OF the Commissioner o
X 'gistration Of each county in the State
i'm mediately after said election, to m Ike
complete return to the Secretary oi Stat
of the votes cast for convention " or N
} convention" aud for tho delegates ia hi
county. The certificate Of election Of tn
! returning officer or officers for the count!
or districts, shall DO prinl1 Jdcie eyidene
! of the right Of any delegates to a sest Il
! said Convention suhieot. IL contested, Il
be decided 10 tho manner tho Convention
. may prescribe.
, Sec. ~. Aud DO IL further enacted
I, That IL shall DO the duty Of the GoveIno
. aud Secretary Of State TO compare the re
. turns made by the commissioners Of Regis
,ration, and II a majority Of those votir
Z be In favor Of Convention IL shall bs N
Q duty Of the Governor Immediately to lssu
!. his proclamation announcing the result, an
J, | said Convention shall convene Ia tho cit