Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-05-13
THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENTS.

| The following is condensed sum
mary OF the proposed amendments I,
the Stale Constitution, now on the jour
nal oI the Legislature, upon which the
next General Assembly will be called
upon to act. These amendments, un.
der the law, are required to be pub.
llshed SIX months in each senatorial
dlstrlc previous to the next election
OF legislators, so that they may be
thoroughly instructed by the people as
to what action to take. The Consti-
tuition provides that after the pubiica-
| ton aforesaid, that IF the General
Assembly then next chosen as afore-
said, such proposed amendment or
amendments shall be agreed to by two
thirds of all the members elected to
each house, then it shall be the duty
of the General Assembly to submit
such proposed amendment or amend
ments to the people, in such manner,
and at such times, as the General As
sembly shall prescribe. And if the
people shall approve and ratify such
amendment or amendments, by ma
jority of all the citizens of the State
voting for Representatives voting in
their favor asuch amendments or amend
ments shall become a part Of this Con-
stitution.
Here is a condensed summary of
the proposed amendments:
The first extends the term of the
General Assembly from two years to
four years.
The second abolishes the exemption
from taxation of 81 600 worth of prop
erty In the hands of each tax paper.
The third expunges the clause which
prohibits the State becoming owner,
in whole or in part, of any bank.
The fourth would extend the Gov
ernor's term to four years, leaving MIN
eligible for only eight years in any
period of twelve.
The fifth would take the election of
Supreme Court Judges from the peo-
pie and give it to the General Assem-
bly,, at the same time increasing their
term of service from eight years to
twelve.
The sixth would, in like manner,
vest the choice of Judges of the Cir
cult, Chancery and inferior courts, in
the Legislature.
The seventh increases the official
term of the State Treasurer, or Treas
urers, and Comptroller, to four years.
The next increases the per diem of
Legislators from four dollars to six,
and abolishes the present limita-
ton of seventy-five days for regular
session and twenty days for called
session. A subsequent amendment
suggests in lieu one hundred days and
sixty days respectively.
Among other notable provisions are
the following:
The Legislature may, by general
laws, authorize the trial of misdemean-
ors, and of civil suits, by jury ofless
than twelve.
Abolition of the State poll tax.
Authorization of courts with both
common law and equity jurisdiction.
Removal of the ineligibility to legis-
latlve office of ministers of the gos-
pei.
To expedite the process of amend
ing the Constitution in the future, by
doing away with the present interven-
ton of second General Assembly.
To authorize exemption of manu-
factures from taxation for six years.
Authorizing the Legislature to pass
fence, road, school, and other local |
laws, and make them applicable
to such counties and incorporated |
towns as may, by a popular vote, ac-
cept such laws.
To reduce the Supreme Court to
three Judges.
To abolish in toto the requirement
that voters must prove payment of poll |
tax.
These embrace all except two, of
minor Importance.