New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-08
TENNESSEE.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCE.-The FRAN
CuIsE-BAD STATE OF AFFAIRS IN TEN
NEssEE.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCE.-The FRAN
CIIIsE- BAD STATE OF AFFAIRS in TEN
NEssEE.
NASHVILLE, Feb. 4-The Franchise amend
ment which adopted by the Convention day OF TWO
ago contains very odious provision IL Is this mat
no person shall be- allowed TO deposit his vote at any
election has furnished the judges OF election sat
factory evidence that has paid his poll tax up to
specified time. This will give the rich candidate great
the poor candidate for the former can
secure the payment OF poll taxes and thus often
defeat the most worthy and excellent man. In heaed
convass taxcolIectos might absent himself from hoine
or refuse give receipts to those who were opposed
70 him in notifies It should be remembered that there
are 40 coored voters in the State Of Tennessee and
that of them absolutely penniess The neces-
sy OF paying poll tax OF from three TO five dollars be-
fore being allowed TO vote Will efectualy dsfranchise
them
After the disposition Of the Franchise question, the
most important left for the consideration of the Conyen
ton is the reorganization OF the Judiciary. There has
been much discussion on this subject among the people
OF the State and the universal cry has been for
pete and thorough reorganization of this branch OF the
Government. The Convention, by direct vote. has de-
Offices OF all Judges in the state shall be
declared vacant upon the ratification OF the amended
Constitution and that their places shall be filed by vote
OF the people. The Supreme Court OF Tennessee
appears TO be in very bad condition. There are
but three Judges, and such vast amount OF work
docket It would take at least ten years to close up
arrears OF business. 1t is proposed to remedy the evil
promptly, to provide for Special Commission OF four
Judges sit with the present Court OF three Judges until
some time 1871 when Constitutional provision fixing
the number of Supreme Judges at ye shall into effect
The attempt the part Of the Convention to egislate
of Office such large class Of people as that compos
ing Judiciary of the state will undoubtedly raise
great opposition the ratification Of the Constitu
ton
There has been earnest desire in the Convention 10
the submission Of their work TO the people IT
claimed that vote might be had upon 1t at the
March election county officers. which under existing
laws takes place the 5th Of that month. Inasmuch
the Convention hardly consummate its business be-
fore the 2lst inst, it finally acknowledged by the
champions Of haste that this would allow altogether too
short time, and a resolution was adopted urging the
tss RE 70 ass IS Mare 10 the t sadSy in
month The wishes OF the Convention Will undoubt
eddy deferred TO- and thus about i've weeks will be
allowed the people 10 consider and make up their minds
the Constitution.
On the Judiciary question was not surprised 70 find
the Southern spirit very prominent Under the old
Constitution. which framed in 1884, only three years
residence was required in the state to make person
eligible Judge OF the Supreme Court OF OF the
inferior The time OF residence has been increased
bers who for making the period nine or ten years In
the midst Of snch men as these Is refreshing TO ma
such character AS Gen. Bote of Memphis. This dele.
gate made eloquent speech in favor Of striking out all
period OF imatonxand giving to the Constitution the
In view OF the proposed reorganization OF the Judiciary
the country is running over with candidates There are
people DESTROYS OF becoming eohstables sherlns,
clerks Judges &c. than was ever known before III TINS
State. The DISTINGUISHED masses nave been so long de-
pryed OF Office that there Is tremendous scramble
FOR the oaves and fishes Here in Nashville for instance
less than fifteen candidates for the position
OF County Court Clerk. Among these numbered one
Rebel general two majors three captains one editor
and any number OF smaller fry OF otfieesee
40 many ourages gainst law and order have been per
petrated Of late that the people have become really
alarmed Last week, rs the telegraph mas afeauy IN
med
Carroll County dark night placed III line and shot
Tbeso wre,ched ooored men we're accused OF murder.
other night the jail Of Wilson County was oeset bx
%nS guard took out two negroes who were accused
only q stealing and Of that on dnsion u, testimony
blooded and perhaps even moro dreadful have
been perpetrated during the last fortnight Even the
Legislature has been spurred TO action and has just
passed very stringent law against masked marauders
in dIseuse. This law provides for heavy lines
disguised persons attempting TO force entrance 70 pr
yas dwelling shGa any DC S,n sny deadly
weapon, death by hanging 10 the penalty To-Day nos
this terrorism. sent message TO the General Assembly
urging that the Legislature provide i9r sPcca,
.nnis for the purpose Of bringing Offenders 20 jus
There can be- no doubt that In many counties Tue
officers OF the Law have acted Ia coluson with the ma,
raudcrs and assassns TENNESSEE is indeed ~ most
desperate CONDITION. Tine law is not law There are
enough properly enforced TO keep Tennessee
quiet any country on the globe but the genera,
decentralization Of society is lamen.abe and species o.
the war In West Tennessee society has
been ss %G oct ocsS s.
dnring the Rebellion for the express purpose
Of driving out the negroes from the Mississippi valley
This sooty has sworn that negroes shall not lease the
lands aud the white people MOI 10 make any eor-
sf.ss. q this r ssr w 'os a who
protect his negroes, was compelled 10 hce from the
country 70 save his lie, and NnsN He afraid
return home The poor negroes, bounded rd pursued on
ali sides are fleeing this portion of tue state many
OF them emgratpg TO Fast Tennessee whero they hope
~ I've IN peace IL Agleapt fact that