The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1916-04-27
CONSTITUTION
FOR STATE
J. L. McWhorter Sets Forth
Reasons Why Tennessee
Needs Amendments and
Alterations.
Tuesday, August 3, Voters Will
Determine Whether Conven-
ton Shall be Held.

(By J. L. McWhorter, Nashville
Chairman Constitutional Convention
On Tuesday, August 3, 1916, the
voters of Tennessee will be allowed
to vote whether or not constitu-
tional convention shall be held to re-
commend amendments or alterations
of the fundamental law of the state.
Our present constitution was adopted
in 1870, but, it is, in reality, the con-
stitution of 1884, with only such
notifications as were made necessary
by the abolition of slavery.
Why do we need a new constitu-
ton? Why is not an old constitution
that has weathered the storms of
three generations better than the tin
ker work of our present day politi-
clans? Does not the very fact that
our constitution has survived, with
slight changes, since 1884 indicate
it is suited to our needs,
Our Chinese Wall
No it does not. 1t indicates that
we are a stupidity conservative and
backward people. 1t indicates that
we have built around us a Chinese
wall, and have defied the currents of |
modern progress. 1t indicates that !
we have fallen asleep, and that we
have lacked statesmen to arouse US. ,
L01 hoI ton hnI ~ hp6
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 Tennessee increased only eight
per cent, the lowest increase it has
shown throughout its history. Thirty
seven counties showed an actual de-
crease of population and in As coun-
ties the rural population decreased.
Indeed, outside the cities and incor
porated towns, which comprise 26
per cent, as against an increase of
rural population, the increase was on
ly 3.5 per cent, as against an increase
of rural population throughout the
United States of 11.2 per cent.
We get little infusion of 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 $1,965. Only two states
have a lower per capita wealth than
Tennessee-Mississippi and North
Carolina.
No Coin to Spend
In 1903 our state governmental
cost was $1.84 per per centa; the
average was $395. We spend on pro-
lection of persons and property one ,,
eighth of the average among all the
states; on the conservation of health
one-seventh of the average; on edu-
cation 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 re-
sponsble for our inefficiency. Not
a law is passed, not an ordinance
adopted which must not run the gaunt
let of an antlquated constitution.
Our legislature has become a body S
dealing, not so much with high meas
ures for the public good as with petty I
appropriations and private bills.
The Handicap
Our courts look at our statues thru {
the spectacles Of our grandfathers. {
No like period in the worlds history =
has seen greater changes than have c
occurred between 1884 and now. r
From extreme frontier individualism t
we have come upon an age of special S
service. The air thrills with the cur
rents of a new public conscience. Yet
our old constitution ties US up to the t
antiquated political institutions of f
our grandfathers. We cannot go c
straight ahead along the pathway of c
justice, but must tread around the S
narrow periphery of the constitution t
We cannot organize our courts scien- i
tifically; we cannot levy our taxes '
scientifically; we cannot govern mu- t
inequalities scientifically; we cannot f