The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1876-07-06

ing term. IL view OF this, and the
belief that the executive term is too
short, it was thought that change
was desirable. The members of the
General Assembly are elected bien
nially, and hold but one regular
session. The frequency of iegisla
tive elections has received consider
able attention III other States, and
in some, perhaps, their constitu-
tions have been changed so as 10
avoid this Inconvenience No one
will doubt but that we have too
much legislation-two much exper-
mental and ill considered law max
ing. Once In every two years from
thee to four. hundred pages of stat
ute law emanates from the legisla-
ture, and embraces almost every
variety of subject that could engage
the attention of legislators. When
it is considered that the true theory
of legislation rests upon what the
common wants Of the country may
indicate, as expressed by the people,
the wonder is, not how good the
Legislature has done, but how little
injury. The cause of this redun-
dant legislation finds its ample
apology in the earnest and well-in-
tentioned desire of the members of
the legislature to except the charge
of inefficiency. Each one believes
that he is expected to originate
some important measure affecting
his immediate constituents. or the
general policy of the State. To
obviate these evils is a matter of no
little difficulty, but the end desired
could, in measure, be attained by
the legislature convening only once
in four years, unless sooner called
together by the Governor. The
tendency of too much legislation is
to render the law precarious and
non-efective. To give stability
and permanence to the acts of the
legislature, when adapted to the
wants of the people, Is of the high
est Importance; but before the wis
dom Of any legislation can be seen
and felt. it is first necessary that it
should remain upon the statute
book long enough, at least. to be
tested by its practical workings.
There are many important laws,
which viewed in tho abstract, do
not readily com.nrud themselves to
the judgment OF The people, but
which when understood, tried and
tested, become almost indispensa-
BILE. Laws, however wholesome, are
sometimes the object of temporary
aversion and popular displeasure,
and though possessing the highest
merit, are repealed before they are
tried. Our tax and assessment laws
afford a striking example. Nearly
every legislature enacts new laws
upon the revenue; ard the result is
that we have no matured system.
The constant changes in so compli-
Gated a system confuse and embar
rass those charged with its exc
cution.
BY our laws, both in civil and
criminal causes parties are entitled
to a jury of twelve men. 1t is pro
posed to amend the constitution by
a general law authorizing the trials
of misdemeanors and civil suits by
a jury of less than twelve. In view
of the enormous expense annually
incurred by jury trials, and often
upon the most trivial litigation in
volving only a few dollars, as well
as jury trial of misdemeanors, it
was thought that this measure of
reform was imperatively demanded.
If this amendment becomes a part
of the constitution, and is not re-
pugnant to the constitution of the
United States, and it is feared it
is it will do much toward reducing
expenses.
Since the war the attention of our
people has been directed to the i'm
portance of manufacturing with n
the limits of the State, thUse arti-
cles of necessity which are now
manufactured and supplied to us
from other States. Tennessee, with
her vast resources adapted to every
branch of mechanical industry, has
made but slow progress in manufac-
lures. The simplest agricultural
implements with which the farmer
cultIvates the soil is brought from
abroad. We are dependent upon
foreign manufacturers for the. nee
essary products of mechanical la
Dor. The consequence of such s
policy is most disastrous. The en-
j ergies of our people are strained
from year to year to accumulat,
enough money to send abroad fol
manufactured goods. Hundreds O
thousands of dollars are annually
drawn from the industries of tn
people-and sent to other States K
buy articles of prime necessity
while our rich and ineXhaustibl
resources lie dormant and unpro
ductive. To stimulate the enter
2 prise of our people and to encour
2 age and assist manufacturers, it i
, proposed to amend the constitution
} SO as to permit the legislature t
r exempt manufacturing establish
; ments from taxation for q perio
: not exceeding six years. It i
D hoped that such a law viii Undue
5 our people to direct their eneI
\ StcS dHO Ca ibdA " iHSC4d uiCe
n branches Of industry and thrift
f that it will invite from abroad bot
capital and skilled labor, and tbs
e within a few years our wants wi
G be supplied at home, and the thoJ
s sands which We yearly send OF
r will remain and circulate among u
/. BY the constitution special {
5 partial legislation is inhibited
J, Laws must be general and unifor
$ in their operation. 1t would now |
is obnoxious to the constitution
t. pass a fence, road, school, or 9th,
r law applicable to a particular cou
n ty. To remedy this, it is propose
ST to amend the constitution, so as
E. permit any one or more counties
n towns to have the benefit Of a sp
ie cial law exclusive in its operatio
Sc This is effected by the legislatu
# passing the law, and the people
o the county accepting or rejeetii
of such law by q popular vote.
he would be difficult to assign a sat
r. factory reason why the people of
sc county should not have the rig
Il =, +bo borof,+ ~ a loaaI Low al ar,f