Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1891-07-07
THE EXTRA SESSION.
Gov. Buchanan win Gall it if Petitioned
by Executive Committees.

by Executive Committees.
Gov. Buchanan has expressed him
self in regard to calling an extra ses-
sion Of the Legislature TO James A.
Harris, clerk of the Senate, as pub
lished in Sundays American. MIR.
Harris, it seems, called on the Gov
ernor for that purpose, or rather was
sent by the people of Knox county,
who are tired of Hcukism and want
the election laws mended before the
election for Congressman takes place
in the Second district. The Govern
or had about made up his mind not
to call an extra session, because he
dislikes to tax the people with the
cost. But he finally told Mr.. Harris
if enough of the various county DEM
Ocratic executive committees, repre-
senting a majority of the Democrats,
were in formal manner to assure
him that it was to the best interest
of the party and the people to call
the Legislature in extra session he
would do so.
Now the people know what they
must do if they desire an extra ses-
sion. They must petition the Gov
ernor promptly and strong, and they
should include in their petitions the
purposes for which they want an
extra session.
We suggest to Chairman Burney
that he call his committee together
and invite prominent citizens to
meet with the committee and decide
what they want. We hardly think
it is the proper thing for the Govern
or to shift this responsibility to the
executive committees or people,
though he may he right. He should,
we think, shoulder it himself First
decide what is right or best for the
State, not for the party, and act ac-
oordingly. If his own Judgment is
not clear on it, then advise with
friends on the question. 1t is so
hard, so difficult to get people togeth-
er to act on such matters, and that is
what they want Governor for,
whose business it is to investigate
such matters and act for the
best, regardless of consequences.
Some people will curse him if he
calls it under any circumstances, and
others will curse him if he don't. So
a public man must make up his mind
for cursing any way he goes.
There are two important questions
that need to be settled. The mistake
in the election laws and the redis
tricting of the State, and whether or
not the next election will be legal, or
whether the election of United States
Senator can be legal unless the con.
stitutiOn is complied with in regard
to redistricting. The Governors legal
council, as we understand, advises
that no election will be vitiated by
such a failure, and yet other equally
good lawyers contend that it will.
Since lawyers differ so widely on the
subject, there is certainly doubt and
room for a great deal of confusion on
litigation, and this fact marks out the
only plain and safe course for the
Governor to pursue, and that is to
call the extra session. Then he will
be certain of the legality of any cleo
ton that may come up and the peo-
pie will approve his action.
Moreover, there are other questions
of both general and local interest that
need considering. The Worlds Fair
appropriation ought to be reconsid
cred since the question has been dis
cussed and members have seen their
constituents.