The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1893-02-17
TENNESSEE STATE NEWS.
Gov. Turney Favors a Constitutional Con.
Vention.


Vention.
NASHVILLE, Feb. 6.-Fo1lowing Is the
full text of Gov. Turney's second mes
sage, read in the Legislature today:
Senate and House OF Representatiyes-Th
propriety and necessity tor a Constitutional
Convention Is being canvassed by the people to
an extent that impresses me that 1t is my duty to
submit to you my views on the subject. have
heretofore opposed it and given my reasons
therefor to the public They are: ~ That or
dinafily amendments under the terms OF the
constitution would answer every purpose and
give the people better opportunity to acquaint
themselves with the provisions and changes pro-
posed (2) That it was too expensive. t3) The
public mind was SO unsettled by the action OF
new theories as to make unsafe the attempt to
reorganiZe with the conditions of disturbance
upon US. Further reflection, suggested by later
Developments, has changed my views. My hrst
objection can be obviated by the character Oh
the call to be made. The constitution, section
8, article H. ordains: "The Legislature shall
have the right at any time to submit TO the
people the question of calling convention 70
alter, reform or abolish this constitution, and
when upon such submission majority OF all
the votes cast shall be in favor of said PROPOSE
tion, then delegates shall be chosen and con-
vention shall be called in such mode and man
ner as shall be prescribed" / call special at
tention to the language, "alter, reform or abol-
ish.'' Under this authority the call may be for
either of these purposes, and limited. L, there
FORE recommend call limiting the action of the
convention to such reforms or alterations as
may be pointed out by you. 1t can make no
difference how many or few may be suggested; /;
the fact that they are suggested calls public at
tention to them and gives electors opportunity
to investigate and to determine the merits On
each proposition and to vote advisedly for or
against each, and affords to those desiring re-
forms or alterations opportunity for fully advs-
ing you of each proposition, and enabling you
to explain to the people all that is intended by
the several reforms or all alterations proposed,
and does away with the danger of mistakes and
oyersights necessarily attending the admission
of new constitution without the advantage OF
first fully understanding its provisions. Repre-
senting every portion of the State 1t will be an
easy matter for senators and representatives to
present what may occur to them to be the de-
sires of the people and put them in shape for ln
yestigaton by those for whose protection the
constitution Is intended. We cannot be too
particular in the formation of organic law. To
urge the objection of expense might result In
more serious consequences than such outlay.
BY section q article 3, of the constitution, Is
established: "The governor shall be chosen by
| the electors OF the General Assembly at
the time and places where they shall respectively
vote for members thereof. The person having
| the highest number of votes shall be governor,
but if two or more shall be equaf and highest In
votes one of them shall be chosen governor by
| the joint votes OF both Houses of the General
Assembly"
This is the only provision for the election OF
governor, with other power in the Legislature.
Section 4, article B: 1.-The governor shall hold
| his Office for two years. and until his successor
| is elected and qualified" This provision has
much to do with my change of mind as to the
| advisability of calling a convention. AS it now
| stands under and by the law, should the gov
| ernor-elect die, the incumbent would remain
governor for the next two years, without regard
| to the will of the people, which might result In
more detriment than the cost of a convention.
| The vice should be remedied by provision for
| election. l suggest that section of article IL
be so reformed as to shorten the time within
which amendments shall be proposed, so as TO
| lessen the necessity of a convention and avoid
! it's cost. Other reforms will readily suggest
! themselves. have suggested the call not only
because it is safe but also because it is due the
people that their intelligent consent should be
| had to all laws by which all others are tested.
/ Such form of call would make the work OF a
| convention light, its sesssnS short and inexpen-
j sve, and at the same time give us constitution
! prepared by the people.
4 p TIrpNEy Governor