Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-15

1 n,
upon 1t. 1t seems to me that we wi
work handsomely that way. But, if W
work together-the committee and Ii
House-p0ri pdsSu-we cannot q
along with desirable facility. There are
number of subjects to come before US "
on which | have not made up my mind
and no committee should go round to as
members, What do you think of this O
that! We demand their very best jude
meRt; and if we determine against that
then it goes back to the committee, an
they go to work dc nOUO In this way
when they get through, we shall hav
something definite.
MIR. Kennedy-The debate is taking
wide range, but 1 wish to make few
remarks, concurring most heartily will
the delegate from Davidson, (Mr
Brown The idea of creating standing
committee, and providing that all PROPOSE
tions shall go before them without debate,
composed of eleven delegates large
number-the idea that this committee
should not report till they are prepared
to report in full and their report will
be taken up in Convention, not in
Committee of the Whole and that their
report shall be considered as an Original
proposition, and passed upon, and no
more come before the Convention; if
that is carried out, it seems to me that it
would be an important rule. But, if we
are to follow the suggestion of the gentle
man from Shelby, (Mr. Heiskell, we are
in for a session of 100 days. There would
be continual conflict between the House
and the Committees. The Committees
would be bound to defend their PROPOSE
lions, and there would be no end to de-
bate
Mr.. Baxter made no objection to the
proposition reported from the Committee
on the Miscellaneous Department, but in
sisted simply that it should be referred
back to them, so that they may return it
not in the shape of resolution, but as
it would be proper to adopt into the Con-
stitution. take it thGt the views of the
gentleman from Shelby (AIr. Heiskell) are
correct but they are not applicable to
this case.
Mr.. Fulkerson spoke as a member of
the committee without taking sides as be-
tween conflicting views. We had the
same difficulty yesterday that we have
here to-day, and will have tomorrow,
unless it is decided what is the duty of
these committees. l simply ask that we
shall not leave this hall till the commit
tees understand what their duties are in
regard to these reports.
Mr.. Martini intended, by the resolu-
ton, simply to bring the question before
the Convention. brought it forward in
the shape of a resolution, supposing that
the Convention might give it The proper
MIR. Jones, of Giles agree with the
gentleman FROM Shelby, (Mr. Heiskeill,)
that it is proper for these committees to
report. And if there appears no other
gentleman to do it, will myself intro
duce a resolution, that on a certain day
we will take up the consideration of the
Constitution, beginning with the Bill of
Rights, and continuing through every part.
think that in this way we will make q
Constitution. On some certain day take
up the Bill OF Rights, and do no other
business till we shall have disposed of that
each various proposition to amend, we
can take them up and avail ourselves of
heir suggestions.
Mr.. Jones, of Lincoln-It seems TO me
hat if the committees are to report upon
Isolated subjects, and if the Convention
receive them and order them to be print
ed, we will get ourselves into intermin-
able confusion. If the report is intended
rs matter of instruction to the house,
hen it might be right and proper. But |
think the proper course of the COnyen-
ion would be to recOmmit this report and
ct them reconsider all the propositions
submitted to them, and make one reDOrt. |
And let us get their full reports from all |
he other committees. Then, as the gen
.leman from Giles has suggested, take I'D
he Bill of Rights and perfect it-take it |
up and consider it in connection with all |
he advantages we may derive from the
'epOrt of the committee on that branch of |
)ur work. Then we will next, | believe,
axe up the Executive branch of the Con
then the Legislative; then the
ludicialy; then the Military Department;
he Franchise Department, and so on.
Mr.. Heiskell stated again and re-en- |
orced his position by reference to the
pecitic labors and duties in connection
With the report to come from the Judi |
'iary Committee. They couldnot proceed |
afely without first knowing the mind of |
he House, with regard to the mode of |
he election of the Judges, etc. He
wanted the sense of the House at once |
N these leading points, certainly in a
way, not to be obtained bv |
5Oing round and taking members by the |
leevcs. As to the difficulties and en-
'arrassments growing out of isolated |
ubjectS reported, he could not think a |
delegate with the experience of the |
Gentleman from Lincoln could he |
though others might. But |
with regard to these nice parlia- |
nentaTy questions, he said we com |
monty have difficulty enough about the |
ubstance of our propositions without |
'Othering about the mode. He feaRd |
hat if the House did not proceed as he |
lad indicated, by the first of next week |
Gentlemen who now avoid this isolated |
proposition would find themselves involved |
n dozen propositions and questions of |
rider innumcrable that arise upon every |
duplicated parliamentary question. 1t |
vas certainly best TO proceed upon the
arlous questions that are to come before |
IS, In the simplest possible form.
Mr.. House of Williamson-Wear are here
or thepurpose of considering propositions
amendany part of the Constitutionofth the
tate OF Tennessee. If | understand the |
uty OF the committees, they ought to
ave before them all the various PROPOSE
ions representing the opinions and shades
f opinion that might be entertained by
MEMBERS, and to analyze and digest all
leSe propositions, if they are able to do
o; and, when they have accomplished
hat, to report their conclusions. For ex-
mple: the Judiciary Committees should
eport On the entire judicial department of
he Constitution, and their report comes
4 recommended as part of the Constitu-
ion. Ii is then for the Convention to de-
9rminc whether they will adopt, or
mend, or return it. If we undertake to
ass upon every proposition that may be
ltroduced herc-why, sir, we shall
Gmain here six months. So the
entleman from Lincoln says 1t
,ads TO interminable confusion. Our
My safe course lies in the direction of
,tting these committees report in full
pom their several departments perfect |
leir work and report it to the House to
Onsider and adopt it, and then
is part of the Constitution. The motion
} refer this report back to the committee
right and proper.
Mr.. House of Montgomery think
lis question ought to be settled now. 1t
question which suppose has come