The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-18
THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
JUDGE TURNKEY OPPOSED TO CON
STITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
he Advances the Reason for His Position
He Favors the Submission of Amend
ments as Proposed by the Constitu-
ton.

From the Nashville American.
Does Tennessee need Constitutional
convention2
Opinions on this, as on all other import
ant questions of public interest and posi-
BILE legislation, are likely to differ.
The views Of leading members of the
legal profession in Middle Tennessee have
from time to time been published in these
columns.
The following opinion on this prominent
subject was obtained by an american re-
porter yesterday from the Hon. Peter
Turney, Chief Justice OF the Supreme
Court. He said:
81 don't think we need constitutional
convention.
II think every purpose can be arrived at
with the Constitution itself by submitting
amendments as provided by the Constitu-
ton. The next Legislature may propose
any number OF amendments, as four wears
ago II proposed the amendment which was
submitted two years ago Amendments
without limit may be proposed every six
years. the
IL think this method Is better thanthe
holding of convention, because for
propositions which are brought up di-
amendments will be canvassed bv canho
dates Tor the Legislature and others al
have been taking interest in politicle
elections. In this manner the peopp
viii have opportunities Of reading up
on land hearing discussed these PROPOSE
tons, and will be enabled TO understand
them thoroughly. Let every proposition
stand rs candidate for tselfsThen, when
more than one are considered, a man who
dislikes one vote can reject il and vote for
the adoption OF those which he does like.
new constitution, with all its provisions,
would have TO be adopted or rejected as a
whole.
III you have q convention, in the first
place, every section OF the country will
have It's peculiar plans and propositions TO
be submitted 10 that convention. The
people OF East Tennessee will perhaps
want one thing, while the Inhabitants Of
other sections will want something else.
This will be the case with every county
and every representative. You get all
tins together and agree upon it as a
Constitution. This is TO be submitted
us whole TO the people. You vote for il
or reject II rs a whole. II you object to
n certain proposition in IL, YOU cannot
vote against that without voting to reject
every other proposition. On the other
hand, II you retain your constitution YOU
can amend II, and in doing so vote upon
every proposition submitted M distinct
question, and thus amend il intelligently
and understandngly. IL not only does
no. cost the State any money TO amend
the constitution in this way, but every
man, no matter how illiterate and igno-
rant, can have a full opportunity OF in
forming himself upon the merits OF any
question submitted and can act accord.
ingly.
"A very serious objection to the calling
OF convention Is its cost. The question
OF calling convention would have 10 DO
voted on with the expense of such cleo
ton. This matter having been determined
In favor OF holding n convention, delegates
must be chosen at another separate and
independent election with another addi-
tional cost Then, rs the number Of these
delegates will, | suppose, very nearly cor
respond with the representation in the
Legislature, the expense OF their session
will be at least rs much, 5000 or $500 n
day. Then you have IL 10 be determined
whether the people will accept the consti.
tuition.
THE method which have proposed
does not cost cent The people already
complain Of taxes, and are in no condition
10 pay the expenses of a constitutional
convention and the three or four elections
that Il would ncccssitatc.
mo two OF those who have through
your columns spoken in favor of con-
Nention have the same suggestions TO
mako. II they have a proposition TO
submit let them bring il 10 the atten-
ton Of the Legislature 10 convene
two years hence, have Il II IL can secure a
two.thirds vote in the next General
Assembly, and bo submitted 10 the people
apart from all other matters. A Constitu.
ton submitted m whole may be beaten.
don't like one proposition; you object TO
another Each man votes TO sustain his
particular objection, aud all doing so vote
against the Constitution as n whole.
besides what / have mentioned |
think we ought 90 have something OF
permanency about our Constitution.
would be opposed 20 a Constitutional
Convention at any time, unless some
revolution should mako Il absolutely
necessary that Wholesale change
should be made. think Constitu.
ton should be allowed 10 exist long enough
TO become respected, TO DO adhered To-. and
which could at the same time be amended
according TO the terms laid down In Its own
rau,uiufinna -