The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1897-06-10
All Pull Together.

The need of new Constitution fol
our state has been admitted and advo-
Gated by public spirited men of all
political parties for several years past
Prominent nonpartisian democrats
have spoken of it and made speeches
and written letters on the subject and
endeavored to arouse thepoople to THEN
true interests in the matter.
The republicans, almost as o party,
have advocated it time and again,
though the executive committee of that
party, which has no authority in the
matter and no right to commit the par,
ty, has recently spoken against it.
The populists have urged its proprie
ty, and the Hon. Mr.. Minis, one o.
their best and most patriotic men, il
almost every speech made by him few
years ago when he canvassed the state
for governor, insisted that there should
be convention to reform the Constitu
ton.
In answer to these repeated demands
and the persistent efforts of public
spirited citizens, the legislature haI
submitted the question to vote of the
people in order to enable them to say
whether they wish a convention, and
if they do, to select delegates for tina
purpose.
The question is one of more serious
importance than many people realize
If by reforms in the Constitution w
can greatly lessen the expense of on,
state government and secure other i'm
portant benefits, all good citizens, who's,
Judgment is not baised by selfish con
siderations, will admit that the conven
ton should be held as quickly as posi-
BILE, and the state not continue for an
other term of years under this useles
and great drain and at the expense 0
the people who foot the bills.
Another important consideration, an
which the people should weigh we'll be
fore they act, is that if this effort fail
it will likely be long time before an
other opportunity is offered, and th
people will have to endure such ills a
the present Constitution inficts upo
them. The active and intelligent pa1
ties who have succeeded in bringin
the question before the people now, an
have expended so much time and wor
upon it, will not soon again be willin
to enter fight for the same purpose
their efforts now prove fruitless. Thos
who have had any experience in publ
affairs know that it is no easy matter t
secure Constitutional convention, bt
cause of the. lack of information and il
terest among the people on such que'
tions, though they may be complainin
of the conditions they endure and ais
from the fact that so many plausibl
objections can be raised by those who's
personal interest may be affected b
the reforms suggested. If they ca
arouse suspicion in the minds of I'll
people and thus turn them against it,
is all they want. The people fail
realize that Constitutional conventio
is peculiarly their own property, an
that if they but take an interest and a
0 turn out and elect good delegates Il
wishes of the majority of all the peop
are absolutely secured.
1t therefore behooves all citizens wi
seriously favor constitutional reform
to support the effort now being made
secure them, and to actively go to wor
Q without respect to party, and make Il
convention peculiarly representati'
y peoples convention, and accompli'
the benefits which they so much nee
: We should not miss this opportunit
It which will not likely be again offer'
for many years. The time for work
short, and prompt effort important.
6 Nashville Sun.