The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1916-06-23
An Open Letter to the People

ton. and l observed that the farmers
are busy with their crops and little in
terested in political reform. In every
county the people fail to realize that
the power to become the most progress
sive state in America is now within
Tennessee's grasp. They have heard
so many suave promises of politicians
and they have heard the unmeaning cry
of "wolf, wolf" so often that they have
learned to distrust reformers. They
are tired Of politics. Some do not even
know Of the movement for a constitu-
tional convention; many others seem
little concerned. They know not that
they are within the shadow of destiny,
| found, however, that every lawyer
of any standing in the counties which |
visited is for the convention. further
found that every newspaper editor, with
the possible exception Of one, who is
an ol5-line politician, is for the conven-
tion. Those who are awake, the pat
riots and leaders of Tennessee, are
strongly in favor of revision of our
outgrown constitution.
OF course, found few who oppose
the movement. These are the fee
grabbers and petty Office holders, who
quite naturally fear any movement
which may disarrange the scheme Of
which they are part, But, thank the
Lord, / found great many Office hold
ers who are big enough and patriotic
enough to favor a constitutional con-
vention, even though it may result in
a sacrifice upon their part for the good
of the State at large,
! found some who had not made up
their minds. They said that if the con
vention was not superior in personnel
to our recent legislatures, little good
could be expected from it. They want
ed to know if the railroads were behind
the movement. Some doubted whether
the time was now opportune for con-
stitutional convention.
/ can remove these doubts. The con-
vention will be composed of worthy
men. A number of distinguished citi-
zens, who could not ordinarily afford to
90 to the Legislature, told me that
they would count 1t an honor to sit in
the constitutional convention. The
abIest man in the State will aspire to
that distinction.
The railroads are not behind the
movement, nor is any other selfish and
designing class. The very plan Of a.
mending the Constitution precludes the
possibility of any factions obtaining
special favors at the hands of the con-
vention. Every proposal must be sub.
mitted to the people and stand or fall
upon its own merits. 1t can be en-
phatically stated that the movement is
in the hands of high-minded, patriotic,
forward-looking citizens who love Ten
nessee and who desire to free her from
the restrictions imposed by an antiquat-
ed Constitution. No citizen who stands
for efficiency, economy and the orderly
administration of justice can afford to
oppose the movement.
The time is opportune for constitu-
tional convention. Why should we
suffer longer from an unjust and I'M
equal system Of taxation? Why should
we delay the much needed reorganiza-
tion of our courts? Why should the
fee system continue to deplete our
treasury? Are injustice and extravag-
ance so slight burdens that we must
wait until our backs are broken before
we cast them off. The best time to
cure an evil is the earliest time, and
with US that time has arrived.
Is it contended that times are too I'M
settled? Tennessee has not been so
peaceful for decade. When can we
know that the proper time has ar
rived? The State is only big business
When does any other
business corporation discard antiquated
Just as soon as it can find
better and cheaper machinery. Wheth-
he political barometer shows calm or
,loudy should have no effect upon our
to clear the decks of our
hip of State. The more threatening
he weather, the more Of our luggage
We can afford to throw overheard. The
worlds greatest charters of liberty have
been written amid scenes of revolution,
Is witness Magma Charts, the Bill of
Rights, and our Declaration Of indie
,endence.
Our Constitution must be rewritten.
from it must be stricken every obsolete
,hrase and every obstacle to progress
md the complete establishment of
Justice. Into 1t must be breathed the
pirit of modern methods, social service
md human rights. We should be able
o take part in those liberal move
nents which have made Germany the
.ficient industrial nation in the world,