The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1897-05-28
A NEW CONSTITUTION.
HOUSE BILL NO. "a.

An act to authorize the people to decide by vote
whether they will call constitutional con-
vention. and to provide for the submission OF
said question to the voters of the State, and
the announcement of the result, and TO repeal
an act entitled 'An act to authorize the peo"
pie to decide by vote whether they will call .
constitutional convention" approved Septem-
Der "a. 1885, being chapter of the acts of the
general assembly OF the State of Tennessee,
passed September %, 1896, az the extra session
of 1896:
Whereas, Under our constitution, the rights OF
the people TO alter, reform or abolish tfe same
is fully recognized; and,
Whereas. In the opinion OF the general assem-"
bly,, the public exigencies do now demand the
exercise of these several powers on the part of
the people of this State; and,
Whereas, BY article XII, section 3 Of the pres
ent constitution, power is given 20 the legisla-
ture to submit to the people the question whether
a constitutional convention shall be called;
therefore,
Section /. Be it enacted By the general assem-
bly, of the State of Tennessee, that all legal
voters under existing laws of this State are
hereby authorized to assemble on the first
Thursday in August, 1897, at the several places
of holding elections in the various counties OF
the State and vote for or against convention
to alter, reform or abolish the present constltu-
tion of the State.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, that in submit
ting the question OF a convention to the people,
tickets shall be prepared by the proper authori-
ties under the laws in force at the time OF hold
ing said election or by the electors in various
counties of this State with the words written or
printed "For a Convention" Against Con-
Yention," and if the number Of votes cast for a
convention be greater than the votes cast against
a convention, then there shall be convention.
Registration books shall be opened and voters
will be allowed to register in all respects as at
that time provided by law, and the qualihca-
tions necessary to entitle citizen to vote upon
the questions submitted SHALL in all respects, be
the same as then required by law In order 70
vote for members of the general assembly.
Sec. 3. Be it further enacted that it is hereby
declared TO be the duty of the governor to issue
his proclamation to the several sherifts or other
proper officers under the law, in the State and
counties thereof Immediately after the passage
of this act, requiring them to hold and conduct
said election as herein provided and said sherifIs
or other proper officers under law in the various
counties of the State shall advertise the time and
places of holding said election as in the case Of
special elections for members of the general as
sembly.
Sec 4. Be it further enacted, that 1t shall be
the duty of the sheriff other proper on1cer
under law, of each county Of the State immedi-
ately after said election to make complete re-
turn to the secretary of this State of the votes
cast, "For Convention and Against Con-
vention" in his county,
Sec 5. Be it further enacted, that 1t shall be
the duty of the governor and secretary OF this
State to compare the returns made by the sheriifS
and other proper officers under the law, and If y
majority of those voting be in favor of con-
vention or against convention, it shall be the
duty of the governor to Immediately issue bis
proclamation announcing the result
Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, that in all cases
where any sheriff or other proper officer under
law, fails or refuses to hold said election ie
shall be lawful for any three freeholders, being
legal voters, to hold said election by summon
ing as many bystanders, being legal voters, as
may be necessary, to hold said election.
Sec 7. Be it further enacted, that an act ap-
proved September "a, 1896, being chapter OF
of the acts of the general assembly OF the
State of Tennessee, passed September %, 1896
at the extra session OF 1896, entitled:
An act to authorize the people to decide by
vote whether they will call constitutional
convention be and the same is hereby repealed
Sec 8. Be it further enacted, that this act
take effect from and after its passage, the public
welfare requiring it.
Passed March II, 1897.
MORGAN FITZPATRICK,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
JOHN THOMPSON,
Speaker of the Senate.
Approved March II, 1897.
ROBERT L. TAYLOR,
Governor.
A true copy:
VIM s. MORGAN,
Secretary Of State.