Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-08-15

VIZ
THE Nashville Banner says that a
respectable number of tour oldest,
ablest and most experienced citizens
in various quarters of the State" are
opposed to "a State Convention for
the removal of disabilities of the peo-
pie" Some, it states, regard it as I'M
necessary, and insist that the fran
chise law is but a law" subject to be
Repealed by the Legislature. Others
fear that if we have a Convention 1t
will do too much, that it will not stop
short of a%nnulling everything that has
been done since the war, that they
will preeipitately GUST all the present
Judges and officers of State, whether
for universal suffrage or against in the
late election"
The Bdnnertakes nodecided ground,
except to say that the people "should
give the subject their sagest reflection
aud discuss it freely and dispassiOn-
ately." Inthis We must concur. We
wish to do nothing in undue haste,
imprudentIy or unyisely. Let the
matter be fairly discussed and We
shall abide the best conclusion which
we can arrive at on the subject. We
have hitherto given an expression Of
our voice in favor Of a convention.
To that opinion we adhere at present,
and with the lights before US"
There are many material matters to
be repealed and corrected besides the
franchise law. That undoubtedly
may be altered, amended or changed
in its provisiOns-for, sS if there
might be a question ofthe future eo4.-
peteneyOfthe Legislature, the act itself
contains a proviS0 reserving such
power. The inability Of the Legisla-
ture wholly to repeal, however, seelGs
to be conceded, ON the ground that
the act was passed in pursuance Of
authority of the State Convention,
and exhausted such power Of the leg
islative body as was not reserved.
Absurd or not, such Il point has been
raised. The ninth section of the 81 al
teration5 and amendments to the
Constitution declares that "the quali-
fication of voters and the Limitation Of
the elective franchise may be deter
mined by the General Assembly,
which shall first assemble I'M
der the amended Constitution, !"
and by which the present franchise
act was passed, Ii the Legislative
power IS exhausted, a peoples eonven-
tom is Indispensable. If the needed
reforms are made through the Legs
lature by way of amendments to the
Constitution, it will require a eOnsid-
cradle time, and that the State should
continue to groan under Il multitude
of evils which require an early rem
edy. We might expect a not incon-
siderable effort TO be made against a
convention by the present effce bold
ers and their friends. To hold ON to
their offices for months or years
through the slow process Of reforma-
ton would be convenient and tempt
ing, But we think the cheapest and
best way for the State viii be to g rub
out and begin anew, Let the
present Legislature be declared
in Office, and empowered to make
temporary appointments Of officers
until theycan beconveniently elected,
and all unnecessary offices abolished.
There is no doubt that some Of the
present offices are useless, nor more
that a better set of officers can be had
by a new election. Our present sys-
tenn of admins tration is unneces-
expensive, and the credit of the
State low. Too much delay in the |
work Of Feformation viii be any thing
but conservative or sensible. We do
not believe there IS any more reason
TO fear any bad effect, either at home
abroad from a convention than
there Is to fear from delayingit. Onthe
CONTRARY, we believe that the hold
ing of a peaceful staiesm2nlike con-
yentiOl Of our intelligent men, will
give new Vigor to the State, and that
1t viii spring to prosperity with a
bound. We are willing, nevertheless,
to " make haste Slow ~"