Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-14

I on the Legislative Department inauir
into the propriety of s6amending section
L,XAVIII of article 2 of the Constitution
IS to empower the General Assembly t.
authorize any one or more civil district.
of county or counties in this State, Il
impose taxes for corporation or otherwise
in such manner as may be prescribed by
law, all property to be taxed according e
its value upon the principles established
in regard to State taxation.
By Mr.. Shepard
Resolved, That the right of suffrage is
fundamental right, and it is the opinion
of the delegates of the Convention that
they cannot delegate to the General As
sembly any power to qegislate upon the
subject
BY Mr.. Stephens, of Shelby
Resolved, That the Committee on Elec-
tons and the Right of Suffrage be in
structed to report the article touching the
question of suffrage by colored persons,
IN such form that it may be conveniently
submitted to the people of the State, to
be voted on as an independent PROPOSE
ton, separate and apart from all others.
BUSINESS FOR CIRCUIT JUDGES.
By Mr.. Staley-
Resolved, That the Circuit Judges of
this State shall be required to reduce to
writing their charges to traverse juries be-
fore delivering the same. After the
charges have been delivered they shall be
filed with the papers in the cause and
shall not be, afterwards, altered or added
to.
on THE JUDICIARY.
: By Mr.. Thompson, of Maury-
Resolved, That the Judiciary Commit
tee be requested to inquire into and report
as to the propriety of providing by con
stitutional provisions for the prohibition
of the exercise, by any Judge of this
State of judicial authority, both civil and
criminal, and requiring the Legislature to
provide for thselection or appointment of
suitable number of Criminal Judges for
this State.
LEGISLATIVE.
By Mr. Turner, of Sumner
Resolved, That article II section 8of
of the Constitution be amended by adding
after the word Speaker" 'tNor until the
same has been signed by the Executive.
If the Executive shall refuse to sign the
same, he shall, in two days, return the
bill TO the House in which it originated,
with his reasons for refusing to sign it.
The bill may then become law, provided
the members of each House shah vote
for it.. -.. /
Resolved, That Senators hereafter shall
be elected for the term of four years.
That upon the meeting of the Legislature
on the first Monday of Oct, 1871, the
Senators elect shall draw lots for the long
and short terms; the members drawing
the short terms shall serve for two years,
and those drawing the long terms shall
serve for four years. At each biennial
election after the next general election
for members of the Legislature, no cleo
ton shall be had for senators except il
cases of vacancies.
SCOTT AND MORGAN COUNTIES.
By Mr.. Parker
Resolved, That section 8, of article l,
of the amendment to the Constitution,
adopted Feb. %, 1866, be so changed as
to allow the counties of Scott and Morgan
10 send one member to the House of Rep
and the counties of Fentress
and Cumberland one Representative.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
By Mr.. Parker
Resolved, That the County Surveyors
be elected by the qualified voters of their
respective counties, and the time, place
and manner of their election and term of
office be the same as Circuit and County
Court Clerks.
SUPREME COURT
By Mr.. Taylor, of Henderson,
Resolved, That section 2 of article "
be 50 amended as TO read as follows: The
Supreme Court shall consist of a Chief
Justice and four Associate Justices. The
number may be increased or decreased by
aw, but never shall be less than two.
That this be referred to the Committee on
The Judiciary.
CREDIT OF THE STATE.
By Mr.. Taylor, of Henderson
Resolved, That the credit of this State
shall never be given or loaned in aid of
any person, association, municipality or
That this be referred to the
Committee on the Legislative Department.
By Mr. Warner
Resolved, That a Sheriff, any
Of his deputies, or Coroner
Of any Constable, when a writ or warrant
IS placed in his or their hands, for the ar
rest of any person accused therein of a
felony, shall have the power to arrest
said accused in any county or place with
in the limits of the State.
CALLED SESSIONS.
By Mr.. Richard Warner, Jr.: Resolved,
That article Ill section of the Constitu-
ton of the State of Tennessee, be so
as to strike out the words, "and
shall state to them when assembled the
purposes for which they shall have been
and insert in their stead the
words (and shall state to them
specially in the proclamation calling them
the purpose for which they are
TO convene.
Resolved, That article III section 10 of
the Constitution of the State Of Tennes-
see, be so amended as to add the follow
ing words after the word Governor" Gin
person"
Mr.. Warner-Thc clause here in the
present Constitution comforting power
upon the Governor to call the Legislature
together by proclamation states, that
when they have assembled the Governor
by message shall tell them the purpose for
which he has called them together. In
the amendment which propose, it is re-
quired that the Governor shall state in his
proclamation calling them together, spe-
officially, the purpose for which he calls
them. Think that will give the members
of the General Assembly time for reilec-
ton upon the purposes for which they are
called together. Then for the other pro-
position. I have seen difficulties growing
out of the practice of the Governors
name being put to deeds of commission by
another hand, which could have been
obviated by requiring the Governor to
sign official papers in person.
COUNTIES AND COUNTY LINES.
The President announced the following
Standing Committee on Counties and
County Lines:
Messrs. Seay, Deaderick, Coffin, Gibbs,
Jones of Giles, Taylor and Warner.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
The President announced the order of
reports from committees.
CREDENTIALS.
Mr. House, of Williamson, from the
Committee on Credentials, submitted a
report, finding, <and stating their names,)
that all the Delegates who have arrived
and qualified, are entitled to seats in this
Convention.
On motion of Nc. Jones, of Lincoln,
it was ordered that the report be received
and placed upon the pages of the journal.
BILL OF RIGHTS.