The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1912-08-23
Constitutional Convention.

Constitutional Convention.
Along the lines of the Democratic
platform calling for constitutional con
vention there are many things needing
careful study and attentention. Tha
Tennessee needs some constitutional
changes goes without dispute. The frs
and foremost item is change in the
public road system. The present system
has been in force probably fifty years
and there had been absolutely no i'm
provement of our public roads up to the
present with the exception of some work
done by private enterprise by men who
had become thoroughly disguised with
the manner in which the roads of Obion
County had been handled. What is
true of this county holds good for a
majority of the counties in the State.
Money squandered year after year for
nearly one hundred years and not a
single advance made or successful new
idea adopted in the improvement of our
public roads, is not pleasant rehec-
ton nor an interesting commentary up
on the intelligence and efficiency of our
State and county officials during all this
time. Something radically wrong, and
if it lies nowhere else the constitution
must be to blame in its provisions for
road work.
Industrially Tennessee has Jagged far
behind of the States of the South, but
in education especially she has made
marked advances in the last ten years.
But the men who are to study our con-
stitutional system and provide changes
should also make thorough investiga-
ton of our school laws.
Up to a few years ago Tennessee had
a fine normal school in Nashville for the
preparation of our public school teach
ers. For some reason this school has
been supplanted by three normal
schools, one for each of the three grand
divisions of the State.
One of these schools is abundant, and
the school in Nashville was amply suf-
ficient. But there was a conflict with
the interests Of Vanderbilt University
and the university interests prevailed.
The same reasons stand against these
normal schools in other parts of the
State. They are private reasons. Now
for a public view:
Tennessee provides that 25 per cent of
the gross revenues of the State shall be
devoted exclusively to the support of
public schools, Thirteen per cent of
this fund is apportioned to the three
normal schools in the State. Why
should the one school be abandoned to
be replaced by three schools. Could not
one school be maintained far more eco
nomically and efficiently than the three
schools for the same purpose, and what
single advantage in dividing the school
what advantage in locality? Teachers
wanting to prepare themselves for the
profession care naught for the difference
in going to a central point. What has
been gained in the establishment of two
more schools. Nothing but disad-
vantage and an additional expense to
the people of the State. Not single
gained by those wishing to
prepare themselves for teachers in
normal school. Nothing was lacking,
but legislators and lobbyists railroaded
a bill to establish three schools,
the funds of two of which should go to
every county in the State for the ex-
tension of high schools. By this bill
,wo cities of the State get the advantages
hat every county in the State should
,njoy, let alone the hardship these two
chooIs work on the church and private
chools of the State.
Tennessee is to be complimented in
he advancement of her public school
but not to be excused in legis-
alton that makes a false extension, or
ives to two of our cities school adj