The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1896-08-28
A NEW CONSTITUTION.
Address Of the Constitutional
League Of Shelby County.
Tt Sets Forth What Should BE DOne-A
Question OF Interest to Every
Tennesseean.
RooMs or CoNsrIrurIoxAL LEAaUE /,

-
on the evening OF July n, 1886, the following
resolutions were unanimously adOpted
The eitlzens OF Shelby county in mass meet
ing assembled. composed OF merchants, farmers,
manufacturers. representatives Of the trades
council and industrial pursuits. professional
men. and all other vocations. declare:
l. That foremost i'm Importance Of all the sub
jects that arc to come before the next general
assembly Is that OF calling constitutional con-
Vention. and that In the judgment OF this body
II is vital 20 the interests OF the State at large
and Of the various counties, cities and towns
that such convention should be called at the
earliest date practicable, 10 the end that those
changes and reforms in our organic law should
be affected that are absolutely necessary to put
our State In line with the most progressive OF
her sister States, and 20 enable our commercial,
manufacturing, agricultural and industrial in
terests TO reach that degree Of prosperity 10
which they can surely attain under such a con-
stitutiOn as the State ought now TO adopt.
2. That while we remember with pride that in
1T72 the first distinctlvely republican form OF
government established upon the American con-
tinent by native born Americans, and known as
the "Wautauga Compact was promulgated by
Tennesseeans, upon Tennessee soil, and while
as Tennesseeans we are proud Of the early his
tory OF the grand old Volunteer State, which
has given three chief magistrates to preside
over the destinies OF this great republic, yet
candOr cOmpelS us to admit that she no longer
occupies the proud Of commanding position in
the grand galaxy of the States to which she is
justly entitled in this the centennial year Of her
Statehood
Shelby county is not selfish in her purposes
for the future; she has given literally toward
the centennial celebration at Nashvilie the in
terests Of all the counties Of the State are bound
up In one common destiny, and in our endeavors
for the future we are determined to know no
section, 10 recognize not East Tennessee, or
Middle Tennessee or West Tennessee, but 10
know only the State of Tennessee, whose sons
We believe are worthy descendants OF their pa
triotic fathers, and If that patriotism is once
stirred IL will prove as irresistible as the tide
of the great river which washes It's western
shores.
3. Believing, as we do, that public sentiment
In Shelby county is practically unanimous
for a constitutional convention, insOmuch
that all citizens who desire to become members
OF the next general assembly unquaIifedIy de-
clare themselves for a convention, thus pledging
our ten votes for thorough reform; but also
believing that in other parts of the State this
great movement has not been sufficiently agi-
tated, we are in favor OF opening up commune
cation with every county in the State, so as to
secure the cooperation OF all patriotic men, ir-
respective Of creed or political faith, in the
great purpose of striking from Tennessee the
shackles OF oppression in the form of anti
quated laws; therefore
Resolved. That the chairman Of this meeting,
from our citizenship at large, representing all
interests, be instructed to appoint committee
Of fifteen citizens, including the chairman, as
an advisory or campaign committee, whose duty
Il shall be to open up communication with all
the counties OF the State, and take such other
and further steps as in their sound judgment
may be necessary to secure the election of mem
bers To the next general assembly pledged to
secure the objects set forth in the foregoing
paper.
And in pursuance thereof the undersigned
were appointed an advisory or campaign COM
mttee, and the duty imposed upon them of call
ing the attention OF the people OF the State to
the urgent necessity for a general revision Of
our organic law.
We deem II proper to suggest some Of the nu-
merous changes which are imperativey required:
Ju and Equal Taxation
Is vital TO every interest in the commonwealth.
Each Individual should bear his share of the
public burdens; more than this is injustice and
oppression. Our present constitution permits
the distribution Of the burdens OF taxation Un-
equally, permitting in some instances double
and even triple taxation, and in others an almost
entire escape from taxation. This condition Of
affairs has prevented immigration and the in
vestment Of capital in the State. The import
ance OF remedylng these evils cannot at this
time be magnlfed in view OF the fact that the
tide of immigration and capital is turning
Southwark, but, owing TO our obnoxious laws
and constitutional limitations upon the powers
OF the legislature it is being diverted to natur-
ally less favored localities. or all the cotton
mills and other industries moving Southwark
none come 10 Tennessee; and why? commit
tee appOiated by investors reported that under
the organic law our system OF taxation was
such that capital could not safely come TO Ten
nessee. And yet no State in the Union offers
more natural advantages.
The receipts of the State treasury have been
steadily increasing until for 1924 they reached
the enormous sum OF $685. 73l. 81, notwithstand-
ing which the comptroller in his report to the
last legislature gave a warning note that the
treasury cOuli not much longer withstand the
immense drain OF our costly system Of govern
ment. This prophecy has been fulfilled, for
since the preparation OF this paper was begun
the governor, by proclamation, has declared
that there will be a deficit in the State treasury
January, 1897, and a still greater one in January,
1893, and the legislature is directed to levy ad-
ditiOnal taxes to meet the deficit. While the
deficit is charged in great measure to the de-
cision OF the supreme court declaring unconsti-
tutiOnal the act to amend the criminal laws
tcalled law TO econOmize), yet that act merely
shifted a large part of criminal costs from the
State to the counties. IL IS now proposed TO
alter this act so as TO make il constitutional and
TO levy additional taxes. No suggestion what
ever is made looking to cutting down the enOr-
nous and useless expenses of our criminal
costs system or other useless expenses.
The Administration or Criminal Laws
is cumbersome. extrayagant and inefficient, and
is too often defeated by that construction OF the
constitution, the practical effect Of which places
a premium on ignorance, and prevents the read
Ing and intelligent portion Of our community
from sitting upon jurieS- The administration
Of the criminal laws Is not only put in the hands
OF those unit for the duties imposed thus
bringing the courts into contempt for miscar-
riageS OF justice, but at a heavy cost and ex-
pense to the State and counties. This cannot be
remeded under our present constitution. lEason
vs.. State, G Bax., s66-)
Our whole system of Criminal Costs
and prosecutions Is vicious and costs the people
Of the State and counties over 4 million dollars
annually. The law-abiding citizens should not
be unnecessarily taxed to restrain law breakers.
Crime can and should be made 10 pay its way.
The system which prevails In our sister State OF
Georgia is a striking commentary upon the
reckless waste OF public money in Tennessee.
In that State the cost OF criminal prosecutions,
Including the fees Of attorneys general, clerks
and sherifs. does not exceed SIC 900 annually.
Further comment would be unnecessary. Whilst
&c Is true that the legislature might correct
many of the more glazing evils OF our present
system, yet the painful experience Of many
years has taught us that, by reason OF the lin
tied sessions imuosed by the constitution and