The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1870-01-27
THE CONVENTION.

SATURDAY, Jan. 22. The Convention
having taken up the Executive Depart
ment, and accepting the solitary amend
ment requiring the Governor to specify
for what purpose extra sessions are called
in his proclamation, the whole department
was adopted, except the proposition of
MIR. House, OF Montgomery, giving the
Governor the veto power, the discussion Of
which occupied the greater part of the day.
The friends of the veto urged its necessity
in order to check hasty legislation and
give dignity and responsibility to the Office.
The opposition urged that the veto was an
innovation unpreced ented in the history of
Tennessee; that nothing in the past devel-
oped its necessity. The amendment was
adopted by a vote of 45 to 25.
Mr.. Heiskel, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported, recommending the elect
i've system, with some amendment.
Mr.. Stanley, of Roane, from the minor
ity of the same committee, reported that
the committee had no distrust of the peo-
pie, but have of those who seek judicial
offices through this mean9e VIA the system
has not given satisfaction that England's
Judiciary is appointed by the Crown, that
our Government had appointed a judiciary
that was an honor to the country, naming
Marshall and Story; and urging that the
Judiciary be appointed by the Governor
and confirmed by the Senate.
MONDAY, Jan. 24,-The Convention
opened with prayer.
There was a well filled house, President
Brown in the chair.
The majority report of the Committee
on the Judiciary Department was r%eceiv-
ed. 1t recommends that the Supreme
Judges be appointed by the Governor and
confirmed by twO-thirds of the Senate, to
serve twelve years, and that all other
judges be elected by the people.
Mr.. Stephens, of Shelby, reported from
the Committee on the Legislative Depart
ment. 1t recommends that the Legislat-
ure be prevented from involving the State
in debt; requires a majority of the men,
bers elect to pass laws, instead of a ma
jority of q quorum limits regular sessions
to seventy-fve days, and extra sessions to
twenty days; deducts the per diem of
members when absent, except when sick:
and withdraws the power to incorporate
private companies. The report was or
dered to be printed.
On motion of Mr.. Nicholson, the fran
chise question was taken up.
Mr.. Jones; of Lincoln, moved the adop-
tion of the independent proposition that
negro suffrage be submitted to the people.
Mr.. Williamson, of Wilson, opened the
discussion. He did not believe that negro
suffrage was an accomplished fact. A
million majority of white men opposed the
measure. He believed that the constitu-
tiOnal amendments arising from the ext
gencies of the war would pass away with
the occasion that brought them into exist
ence. Mr.. Sumner stood alone in favor
of prohibiting the StateS1 Regulating
suffrage. Ex-Gov. made a
long and able speech IN D0Iored suf-
frage' as a fixed fact, but admitting that it
had been brought about by the surrender
of Lee and Johnston's armies. The Gov
eminent was powerful and able to main
tain itself. The agitation of this question
only distracts the country and prevents
the return of peace. He believed thatthe
white man would be benefited if the ne
gro was protected and educated.
Mr.. Jones, of Lincoln, supported the in
dependent propositian, and urged that if
negro suffrage be submitted to the people
with the Constitution it may be defeated,
and therefore fail to free white men, who
are all conscious of q natural antipathy
and prejudice against the education of the
colOred race.
Mr.. Fentress, of Hardeman, urged in o
long speech, the necessity of submitting
the Independent proposition.
The State retains the right to regulate
the franchise. The people, not the Con-
%stitution, should decide on this question.
In the middle of his speech, the Conven-
ton adjourned.
The momentous word thereafter" was
the bone of contention.
A Consequence.-Many rich things
have transpired in the neighborhood of
4IA S--Nak W.