Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1897-04-29
The Necessity Great.

should be presented and voted upon is a
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 Tonnes
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 constitution 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 / will abbre-
viate by saying favor 1t for many rea-
sons. / recognize in this question only
the general welfare of the State, and do
not look upon it from a partisan or poll
tical standpoint"
When Congressman Patterson, Of the
Tenth, was approached, he dictated the
following:.
II have for some years past favored
constitutional convention. The present
constitution is practically as old as the
State. In view OF the geography OF the
State, there was some reason Tor 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 tho capital and the encouragement
ought to reside at the capital, as the law
officer of the State government, Further
more, l believe the constitution ought
to be so amended as to give more en-
enlargement to the development of the
State 1t is absurd to tax both the cap
ital stock and property Of manutactur-
ing companies. Requirements such as
this drive capital and enterprise from
| the State. There are many other rea-
sons for a constitutional convention
which might be suggested had more
| time"
Hon. James D, Richardson gave me
the following:
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 9ltd."
Here is an expression from Congress
man Cox of the Seventh:
81 think our State constitution is
very defective and it should be cor
! rected. 1t was adopted in what was
| practically war times, and does not re-
| spond to present conditions think it
very seriously defective"
| T.,
! this:
II am in favor of a constitutions con-
vention IN Tennessee. The constitution
of 1870 was adopted only few years
! after the close OF the late war between
the States, and under circumstances and
conditions not propitiOus for that
| Thoughtful elaboration and ConsidOra-
ton necessary for the construction OF
the constitution of great State like
| Tennessee. But the convention was
composed of many OF the ablest and
most patriotic men OF the State, and
their handiwork will bo an enduring
monument to their exalted intelligence
and broad craftsmanship The consti
&. tuition has most admirably served its
day and generation, but since its ratih
cation marvellous progress has beer
Ildub III bNOI1 uG par bulOhb Va NAHAAAA"
ton; wonderful inventions have wrough
great changes in the arts and sciences
and in habits and customs Of our people
Our population has been greatly in
creased and our aggregate wealth i'm
mensely augmented since 1870, and m,
Judgment is that the time has arrived
when that ancient but honorable docu
ment should be revised and changed 81
as to conform to the new era which ha
dawned upon our country since it wa
adopted"
II also think that the present Is al
suspicious time for the selection of del
egates to a convention and for the con
sideration of new constitution. w
have Just passed through an unusuall
exciting political campaign, and tn
minds'O of the people are COmparativel
free from rancOrous partisan prejudices
. The reignsOf political demagogues has
atleast for time, passed away. Int
.ifgenee and true worth are largely /
5 the ascendant as the controlling Unfit
ence in political parties, and beliey
that IL a constitutional convention
provided for its membership will en-
brace our most intelligent and patriot
J men, and that they will submit col
stitution for ratification of the peopl
which will represent the best though
Q of the age and will be acceptable to a
, progressive and patriotic citizens, r,
: CARELESS Of party affiliations or politics
I opinion"
Hon. e. W. Carmack, now congress
man from the Tenth District undu
. date Of April 10, says:
q State constitutions are intended pr
!, marily to restrict the law-making powe
. and to that extent they limit the rigl
Of self-government. Such restriction
i should be from and Of a broad, perm
}. nent and fundamental character. IT
chief cause OF complaint against o.
present constitution is that 1t fOrbi
q the people TO make many laws aece
r sary to their welfare. Those favoril
D a new constitution do not seek TO o.
2 body therein any particular system, b
. only to remove certain existing restri
> tions and thereby give the people larg
p liberty Of legislation II they choose
ID exercise it. The new constitution vi
Ie impose no new laws on the people;
.e will simply give them more power
n. make laws. Ii viii extend the right
self-poyernmeut believe many OF &
- restrictions Of the present constitute
.g ara ont Of harmony with the iudustrI