Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1916-04-27
WHY TENNESSEE NEEDS
A new CONSTITUTION
BY J. |. McWH0RTER
Chairman Constitutional Convention Con-
ference, Nashville

On Tuesday, August s, 1916, the vot-
ers of Tennessee will be all owed to vote
whether or not constitutional conyen-
tion shall be held to recommend amend
ments or alterations of the tundamen-
tai law CT the state. Our presen tconsti-
tuition was adopted in 1870, but it is, in
reality, the constitution of 1894, with
only such notifications as were made
necessary by the abolition Of slavery.
Why do we need a new constitution?
Why is not an old constitution that has
weathered the storms of three yener-
ations better than the tinker work of
our present-day politicians? Does not
the very fact that our oonstitu tion has
survived, with slight changes, since
1884 indicate that it is suited to our
needs?
OUR CHINESE WALL.
No II does not. 1t indicates that we
are stupidity conservative and back
ward people. 1t indicates that we have
built around US IA Chinese wall, and
have deiied the currents of modern pro-
gress. 1t indicaSes that we have fallen
asleep, and that We hava lacked states
men to arouse US. We have too many
honey-mouthed politicians. We have
played Rip Van Wrinkle too long. 1t
is time to wake up. What are the facts
that confront us?
EFFECTS OF BACKWARDNESS.
During the decade from 1900 TO 1910
the population of the Southern States,
Tennessee excluded, Increased twenty
per cent. while the population OF Ten
nessee increased only eight percent, the
lowest increase it has shown thruout
its history. Thrty-seven counties
showed an actual decrease of population
and in forty five counties the rural popu-
lation decreased. Indeed, outside the
cities and Incorporated towns, which
comprise twenty-six per cent of our
population, the increase was only 35
per cent as against an increase of rural
population turnout the United States
of 1t.2 per cent.
We get little infusion or foreign blood.
Our foreign stock is almost negligible.
STATE IS IMPOVERISHED.
In 1912 our per capita wealth was
1864; that of the United States as a
whole was 81, 1865. Only two states have
lower per capita wealth than Tenness-
Mississippi and North Carolina.
NO COIN TO SPEND.
In 1908 our state governmental cost
was 81. "a per centa; the average was
$3.95. We spend on protection of per-
sons and property one-eight of the aver
age among all the states: on the conser-
vation of health one-seventh of the
average; on education about one-sixth
of the average.
THE CONNECTION
But, say you. what has all this to do
with the state constitution? Just this:
misgovernment is responsible for our
Ignorance; ignorance is responsible for
our inetticiency. Not law is passed,
not an ordinance adopted, which must
not run the gauntlet of an antipudiated
constitution. Our legislature has be-
come a body dealing not SO much with
high measures for the public good as
with petty appropriations and private
bills,
THE HANDICAP.
Our courts look at our statues thru
the spectacles of our grandfathers. MOL
like period in the worlds history has
seen greater changes than have occur
ed between 1884 and now From ex-
treme frontier individialism we have
come upon an age of special service.
The air thrills with the currents of a
new public consc ence. Yet our old
constitution ties us up to the antiquat-
ed political institu tiOns of our grand
lathers' we cannot go StralGnL anead
along the pathway of justice but must
tread around the narrow periphery OF
the constitution. We cannot organize
our courts scientifically: we cannot
levy our taxes scientifically; we cannot
govern munipalities scientifically; we
cannot doln our generation that which
reason commands and conscience die
tates. that is unless we alter our consti-
tuition.
THE ISSUE.
The issue is simply this: Shall we
take no part in the modern struggle for
eff ticiency and social justice, and CON
tinue to be restrained by the will of
generation that knew us not; or shall
we alter our political institutions in
consonance with the growing intelli-
gen of mankind? Shall we continue
grazing around the old tether stakes, or
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