The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-02-13

and the highways approaching it. 1, therefore,
recommend that an act Of eesslon be passed.
BOUNDARY LINES.
As apprehended in the last regular message,
the State OF Virginia has Instituted suit in the
Supreme Court of the United States asserting
her claim to territory oycc which Tennessee
has for a long series of Years exercised undis-
puted possession, an, by authority of your
predecessors, have employed attorneys to rep
resent the state 81 Tennessee in said suit, and
the bill has been fully and ably answered. The
cause has NOS yet been called.
MRs. FOLKS BONDS.
recommend that your honorable bodies au-
thorize the FINDING at par Of the bonds OF the
State now Held and owned by Mrs. j. K. Polk.
Her immortal husband shed glory and honor
upon his State, and helped to make it great,
and this reasonable request of his aged and
worths widow cannot be sighted without dis
crec.lt to the State.
GOVERNORS MANsIoN.
Now, that the time OF nay retirement is at
hand, can with more propriety urge the pur-
chase or erection by the State Of mansion
house foI its Governor. The honor in being
called to such high station Is ample compen-
sation, but the State should surround its Exec
utlve with facilities for maintaining the dig
nifty of his place and the reputable honor Of the
Commonwealth. 1t should be furnished and
maintained IN n manner BETTING place where
the dignity and honor Of the State is lodged.
UNIFORMITY OF LEGIsLATroS.
I present herewith papers and suggestions
emanating from the American Bar Association
looking to uniformity o5 legislation in the sew
eral States relating 20 marriage and divorce,
insolvency, nOtari1 certificates, descent and
distribution, W ais, etc. 1t presents q matter OF
grave Importance, well worthy the serious
consideration OF your honorable bodies, aud
recommend that actien be taken similar to
that opted by New York. The papers pre-
senteA show some very remarkable and lament
abba statistics upon divorces, and reveal an
alarming increase. When it is stated that one
divorce was granted in 1880 to every 425 mar
ried couples in Tennessee, it needs argu-
ment to prove that our laws arc too loose and
that remedy is needed. In Nashville the pro-
portion was 2l6 TO /, and in Memphis 248 TO /.
The evil is becoming so prevalent that it is at
tracing attention all over the country and
arousing thought. 1t merits your thoughtful
interpretation at once.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
That our Constitution is obsolete in sonie par
ticulars and incomplete in others IS patent to
all. The progress we are making in material
things, as well as in the science of popular gov
ernment, ana the regulation and adjustment of
individual rights and me rights of property,
merit a revision of odr fundamental law upon
plane in keepin & with such advancement.
DO not believe that the time is yet arrived for
the holding OF such q convention, but the initial
step should be taken looking to a convention
Within the next few years, in order that the in
bSitiSSdlCe o. inc otaJe may De directed 10 the
subject, discussion had and the necessities of the
case determined in advance, that the conven-
ton when it meets shall begin and perform its
work in the light that popular thought has shed
upon the subject. A resolution by your honor
able bodies declaring that a constitutional con-
vCntion is desirable, say four years hence, will
wall to arouse such thought will lead to in
telligent and beneficial results.
CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS HOME.
transmit herewith the annual report of the
Trustees of the Confederate Soldiers Home for
your perusal and consideration. BY an exam
ination of this report you will find that one
years energetic and devoted effort has placed
the home upon good initial basis, and it is
now ready to begin the great benefcent work
in earnest. The Trustees make request for APP
preparations for the further improvement and
sustenance OF the institution, which I commend
to you as reasonable and worthy OF favors BILE