The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-04-23
VIEWS OF ooNGREssMHN.
The Hope of the State Lies in New Con.
stitution.

! Aho hOpc VI inc SIhle Lies IN ~ new Cons
stitution.
Washington, Jan. 16, 1S9L-(Special.)
Too much weight can hardly be given
to what Senator Bate has to say. He is
the only member of the delegation who
has been governor since the adoption of
the present constitution and, constantly
conscientious as he has always been, his
study and experience as chief executive
during two terms have impressed deeply
upon him the defects of the present fun
damental law When seen by me Sena-
tor Bate said in response to my request
for an expression.
The Necessity Great
THAT there is necessity for changes
in the constitution of Tennessee there
can benO question, The present one was
adopted when we were just from under
military rule, with its influence yet
US, and it fell short in many instances
of what our constitution should be. AS
to the time when new constitution
should be presented and voted upon is
matter of which the representatives in
the Legislature, fresh from the people,
are the better judges, but in answer to
your categorical question say am in
favor of new constitution in Tennes-
see."
Senator Harris spoke as follows:
without going into details of dis
cussion, will say generally that favor
the calling Of convention looking to
the correction of certain defects in the
State constitu ton which prevent the
present instrument from responding
most wisely to present conditions"
Here is what Hon. w. c. Anderson
(Rep.) of the First district wrote;
ITO give ones reason for favoring a
constitutional convention would require
much time and space, so l will abbre-
viate by saying l favor it for many rea-
sons. recognize in this question onl Y
the general welfare of the State, and do
not look upon it from partisan or poll
tcal standpoint"
When Congressman Patterson, of the
Tenth, was approached, he dictated the
! following:
: 81 have for some years past favored a
constitutional convention. The present
constitution is practically as old as the
State In view of the geography Of the
: State, there was some reason for hold
ing the supreme court in each grand
: division of the State, but now, with ex-
> listing means of transportation, the SUI
preme court ought to hold its sessions
at the capital and the encouragement
ought to reside at the capital, as the law
officer of the State government Further
Q more, l believe the constitution ought
0 to be so amended as to give more en-
9 couragement to the development of the
. State. 1t is absurd to tax both the cap
/ ital stock and property of manufactur-
q ing companies. Requirements such as
! this drive capital and enterprise from
the State. There are many other rea-
sons for constitutional convention
. which might be suggested had more
Q time"
( Hon. James D. Richardson gave me
| the following: 81
o 81 have read the dispatch OF Col. Cox,
expressing himself upon the wisdom OF
making some changes in the tennessee
constitution, and will say that concur
in what he has said"
t Here is an expression from Congress.
! man Cox of the Seventh:
| II think our State constitution is
very defective and it should be cor.
rected. 1t was adopted in what was
3 practically war times, and does not re-
Y spond to present conditions. ! think il
r very seriously defective"
Hon. j. c. McDearmon handed me
Z this:
Q II am in favor of constitu tional con
2 vention In Tennessee The constitution
= of 1870 was adopted only few years
4 after the close of the late war between
!. the States, and under circumstances AND
- conditions not propitious for thai
d Thoughtful deliberation and considera
y ton necessary for tho construction Of
Y the constitution Of great State like
Tennessee. But the convention was
composed of many of the ablest anC
u most patriotic men of the State, and
Z their handiwork will be an enduring
d monument to their exalted intelligence
A. and broad Craftsmanship. The consti
- tuition has most admirably served its
y day and generation, but since its ratif
IL cation marvellous progress has beer
l. made in every department of civiliza
2 ton; wonderful inventions have wrough
great changes in the arts and sciences
and in habits and customs of our people
20 Our population has been greatly in
y creased and our aggregate wealth i'm
l. mensely augmented since 1870, and IN!
IN Judgment is that the time has arrived
!. when that ancient but honorable docu
ment should be revised and changed sc
3 as to conform to the new era which ha
70 dawned upon our country since it wa
N adopted"
l. II also think that the present is al
auspicious time for the selection OF del
- egates to a convention and for the con
10 sideration of new constitution. w,
ID have just passed through an unusuall,
10 exciting political campaign, and tn,
ID minds of the people are comparatiyel,
free from rancorous partisan prejudices
The reign of political demagogues has
1T at least for a time, passed away. Intel
ligence and true worth are largely il
q the ascendant as the controlling influ
- ence in political parties, and l believ
3, that if constitutional convention i
n, provided for its membership will EN-
brace our most intelligent and patriot
"A men, and that they will submit con
- stitut ton for ratification of the peopl
which will represent the best though
ia of the age and will be accountable to al