Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-30

IN each DIVISION OF the STATE, 10 sit as
Judges, with full jurisdiction to hear and
determine all the causes pending in the
Supreme Court at Knoxville, Nashville
and Jackson, their commissions to expire
on the 1st of October, 1871.
Resolved, That upon the determine
ton, by the Convention, of these propo-
sitions, the majority and minority reports,
together with the several substitutes. be
recommitted to the Judiciary Committee,
with instructions to prepare and report a
plan of judicial reform, in pursuance of
the Judgment of the Convention on said
propositions.
THE MARCH ELECTION.
/ Mr.. Thompson, of Davidson, introduced
the following resolution
Be it resolved, That it is expedient that
the new Constitution should be submitted
to the people at the next ensuing election
of county officers; and therefore in the
event that the adjournment of this Con-
vention shall not leave sufficient interval
to elapse before the day for the county
election, as now fixed by law TO be held
on the 5th day of March, 1870, the day of
| said elections shall be postponed not less
than thirty days after the adjournment of
the Convention.
Mr.. Thompson said that at the rate they
| were now proceeding with business, they
could not get through with it in time to
submit it to the people at the March cleo
ton. He thought that it was very i'm
portant that the Constitution should be
acted upon at that time Hethought that
for the purpose of getting through with
business they ought to provide for night
sessions in order to expedite business.
Mr.. House, of Montgomery, thought
| the resolution very important, and he
moved that it be amended 80 as to provide
for night sessions. He thought they
ought to be willing to undergo a little
personal discomfort for the purpose of
getting through with the work before
them.
Mr.. Jones, of Lincoln, was not in favor
of postponing the March election for any
but brief period, and he thought that it
would be better to have the Constitution
acted upon by that time if it were posi- |
BILE
Mr.. Netherland favored the resolution
of the gentleman from Davidson. He
wanted to see full vote of the people !
given.
Mr.. Carter was opposed to sending the |
Constitution to the people hastily for their |
action. He thought the people should |
have at least three months to consider of |
the great changes proposed
Mr.. Burton was opposed to night ses-
sions, and thought that there were many /
delegates whose physical health would /
not admit of it. Most of the work of
the Convention was done by standing |
committees, and those committees only
had night work to do.
Mr.. Garner said all the committees had
reported, and their reports were now be-
fore the Convention for action. He
thought no plausible objection could be
urged 10 night sessions. He thought they
could do nothing which would be more
popular with the people than to submit
their work to the people at the March
election. When the Constitution was
finally adopted, let each delegate take
home with him copies, to be spread
broadcast over the land. The people
could then consider it and make up their
minds.
Mr.. Fielder heartily favored night ses-
siOns.
Mr.. Fentress opposed hasty action,
either by the Convention or by the people.
Mr. Stephens was opposed to night ses-
sions. He would rather meet at A. NJ.
and sit till P. NJ. without intermission.
Mr.. House, of Williamson, did not
think the people required them to act
hastily on any of the great propositions
which came before them. He was op-
y.ncaJ IN ,,irbt
Mr.. House, of Montgomery, offered
the following resolution in lieu of that of
Mr.. Thompson, of Davidson:
Whereas, 1t being expedient that the
new Constitution should be submitted to
a vote of the people at the ensuing cleo
ton for county officers, on the 9th of
March next; therefore be it
Resolved, That this Convention will |
meet each night of its daily sessions at 7
O'Clock, P. NJ, commencing on Monday
next.
On motion, this was laid on the table
by vote of SO to 81.
HOW To SAVE TIME.
Mr.. Fentress offered the following:
Whereas, These daily discussions of
how to save time consumes more time
than is saved by them,
Resolved, That hereafter discussions as
to how to save time shall be out of order,
and that this Convention proceed to the
business before it, and when it is finished
that they adjourn.
On motion the resolution was referred
to the Committee on Miscellaneous De-
partment.
THE STATE DEBT.
Mr.. Brown, of Davidson, Offered the
Glowing:
Resolved, That the Constitution be so
amended that all revenue derived from |
poll tax be applied exclusively to the pay
ment of the public debt, and when that is
accomplished, it shall be applied to COM
mon schools, and no other purpose.
Mr.. Brown made few remarks in ia
vor of his resolution, and it was referred
to the appropriate committee
49, ARTICLE ".
The Convention now took I'D article "
and adopted sections 2, 8, 4, as follows:
Sec. 2. Laws may be passed, exclud-
ing from the right of suffrage persons
who may be convicted of Infamous
crimes.
Sec. 8. Electors shall, in all cases,
except treason, felony, or breach of the
peace, be privileged from arrest or sum-
mons during their attendance at cleo
tons, and in going to and returning from
them.
Sec. 4. In all elections to be made
by the General Assembly, the members
thereof shall vote UiUG VOce, and their
votes shall be entered on the journal.
All other elections shall be by bollot.
Mr.. Parker offered an amendment to
section I, providing that all votes be aiUd
Uocc. Laid on the table
REPORT OF COMMITTEE on ELECTIONS.
The Convention now took up the report |
Of the Committee on Elections, providing
change of time in holding elections, and
article II, section 7, was adopted as fol-
lows: The first election for Senators
and Representatives shall be held on the
first Tuesday in November, one thousand
eight hundred and seventy; and forever
thereafter, elections for members of the
General Assembly shall be held once in
two years, on the first Tuesday in No
vember. Said elections shall terminate
the same day.
Power was given to the Committee on
Revision to change the date, if necessary,
so as to agree with act of Congress fixing
the date of Congressional election.
Section 8, article II, as reported by the
committee, was taken up, as follows:
''The first sessions of the General As
sembly shall commence on the first Mon
day in October, 1871, and forever there
of no GaDarol AcSapobIry choI NJ, | ,