The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1870-02-03
THE CONVENTION.

hpAHJ ANENf1 |-
Some of the ablest efforts ever made by
public men in Tennessee marked the days
proceedings, and the scene will be long
remembered by those who witnessed it.
It is generally considered that A. 0. P.
Nicholson delivered the speech of the SEES.
sion. He had been saving himself for
this final effort,apd bis appeal for univer-
sal suffrage had q telling effect.
The following was the vote upon the
adoption ofthe minority report to submit
the question of negro suffrage, to be voted
upon as a separate proposition.
AYEs-ArIedge, Bate, Brown, of Henry;
Campbell Carter, Cummings, Davenport,
of Fcntress; Fielder, Heiskel, Jones, of
Lincoln; Porter, of Haywood; Porter of
Henry; Shepherd, Shelton, Stevens, Tay-
lor, Warren, Williamson and Wright-20.
NoEs-Allen, Baxter, BLIZZARD, Brandon,
Branson, Britton, Brooks, Brown of Da-
wilson; Burkett, Burton, Byre. Chowning,
Coffin, Cypert, Deadriek, pebritt, Doher-
ty, DromgOOle, Finley, Faulkner, Gardner,
Garner, Gaut, Gibbs, Gibson, Gordon,
Henderson, Hill, of Marion, Hill of Glib
son, House, of Montgomery, House, of
Williamson; Ivie, Jones, of Giles, Ken
needy, Key, kirkpatrick, Kyle, Mabry,
McDougall, Martin, Morris, Meeks, Meth,
erland, Nicholson, Parker, Sample, Seay,
Staley, Thompson, of Davidson, Thomp-
son, of Maury, and Turner-,52.
Absent, President Brown, Blackburn
and Waters.
FRIDAY, Jan. 28.-The franchise ques-
tion was finally disposed of to-day. The
majority report Of the Committee on Elec-
tions, and the Elective Franchise, which
favors leavingtbe negro undisturbed in the
exercise Of his preseutrights, was adopted,
with some amendments which do not ma
terially alter the proposition
This is generally regarded as the most
important work of the Convention, and has
received the almost undivided attention Of
that body for the past five days.
As adopted, the section makes Suffrage
impartial, but requires evidence Of pay
ment of poll.taxes a necessary qualiiea-
ton for exercising the elective franchise.
1t further requires a residence of twelve
months in the State and six months next
preceding the election in the county where
the vote is offered. 1t also gives the Leg
stature full authority to pass laws in re-
gard to voting in the ward or district
where the voter may reside.
The final vote on the adortion of this
section was 80 to 10. A motion to recon
slider was laid on the table.
SATURDAY, Jan. 30. "A resolution was
introduced that the receipts from the col
lection of poll taxes be donated to the
use ofcommon schools. Also, u resolution
that the poll taxes shall 20 to liquidate
the publie,debt, after which they shah tc
used for the benefit of common schools.
The Convention thentook up the report
of the Committee on the Legislative De-
partment aud reached the 28th section.
The amendments, so far as agreed upon, in
this connection, are as follows:
Requiring two thirds of the members
elect to the General Assembly to consti-
tute a quorum. 10
Limiting the regular sessions of the
Legislature to rs days and called sessions
to 80 days.
Requiring a bill to embrace but one
subject and to have that expressed in its
title,
Making it imperative that a bill, before
becoming a law shall be read and passed
on three different days in each House.
Providing that no member shall receive
pay in case of absence, except he is absent
through physical disability.
A long discussion was had in regard tC
the best plan to expedite business and q
resolution to hold night sessions was ia
bled.
Some four or FIVE delegates changed
their votes to-day in favor Of the majority
report on the suffrage question, and thu
vote now stands, A ayes to l6 noes.
MONDAY, Jan. IA resolution was in
troduced to enquire into the e~xpedienc.
of re-chartering the old Bank of Tennes
see. n
A proposition was offered in regard t,
the propriety Of setting apart the exces
in the amount of collections on poll take
over that of last year, to be expended fol
the benefit of common schools.
Aresolution was introduced looking tt
the ENGRAVING upon the Constitution of
sectionsfor the protection Of married wo
men in relation to property rights.
The following amendments, reported b.
the Committee upon the Legislative DE
partMent, were adopted
That no town, city or county, shall LOAF
its credit or become a stakeholder Wit
others unless by a three fourths majorit.
of the people
Also restricting the Legislature fror
making the State a joint stakeholder i
any concern, or authorizing the issuing {
the bonds of the State in aid of railroad
or other enterprises, or organizations.
The Judiciary Committees report wi
probably come up tomorrow. This is til
most important business that now remain
to be disposed Of by the Convention,
The Baltimore Statesman, of q recent dat
FNHEf p. H