Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1916-07-20
CONSTITUTIONAL
CONVENTION
Text of Enabling Act as Pass
ed By Legislature.

/ A BILL to be entitled: An Act to
authorize the people to decide by vote
whether they will call Constitution
al Convention, and to provide for the
submission of said question to the
voters of the State and the an
nOuncement Of the result.
WHEREAS, Under our Constitution the
right Of the people to alter, reform or
abolish the same is fully recognized;
and
WHEREAS, In the opinion of the Gener-
al Assembly, the public exigencies do
now demand the exercise of the power
to alter or reform the Constitution on
the part Of the people Of the State; and
WHEREAS, By Article XI, Sections, of
the present Constitution, power is given
to the Legislature to submit to the peo-
pie the question whether Constitution
al Convention shall be called; therefore,
SECTION |. Be ii enacted BY tie General
AJ5eM'6Y of tie STATE Of 1fHHeJsee, That
all the legal voters under existing laws
OF this State are hereby authorized to
assemble on the first Thursday in
August, 1916, at the several places OF
holding elections, in the various coun-
ties of this State, and vote for or against
calling convention to alter or reform
the Constitution by submitting amend
ments to the present Constitution to be
voted on separately by the people.
SEC. Q. Be IL FURTHER enacted, That in
submitting the question of a convention
to the people, tickets shall be prepared
by the proper authorities under the
laws in force at the time of holding
said election, or by the electors in
various counties Of this State. with the
words written or printed For Con-
yention." Against a Convention" and
If the number of votes cast for conven-
tion be greater than the votes cast
against a CO alton, then there will be
a convention Spropose amendments to
the constitution. Registration books
shall be opened and voters will be al
lowed to register in all respects as at
that time provided by law, and the
qualifications necessary to entitle citi-
zen to vote upon the questions submit
as then required by law in order to vote
for members of the General Asse& bly,.
SEC. 3. Be IL t,yiAPv lnatfed, That in
all cases where any Commissioners Sof
election, or other proper officer under
the law, fail or refuse to hold said elect
ion, it shall be lawful for any three free
holders, being legal voters, to hold.said
election by summoning as many by-l
ISLANDERS, being legal voters as may beT
necessary to hold said election.
SEC. 4. Be il fsvthty enacted, That il is
hereby declared to be the duty OF the
Governor to issue his proclamation to
the several Com missioners of election,
or to other proper officers under thela@,
in the State and counties thereof, i'm A
mediatelY after the passage Of this act,
requiring them to hold and conduct said
election as herein provided.
And said Com missoners of election or
other proper officers under the law, in
the various counties Of the State, shall
advertise the time and places of holding
said election, as in case of sp9cial-elec-
tions for members of the General
Assembly.
SEC. s. Be il further enacted, That 1t
shall be the duty of the Commissioners
of election, or other proper officer
under the law, of each county Of the
State, Immediately after said election,
to make a complete return to the Secre
tary of this State, of the votes cast" For |
a Conven ntion" and Against Conven
tion" in their county.
SEC. 8. Be ii further enacted, That it
shall be the duty of the Governor, Secre4
tary of State and Attorney General of
tbs State, to compare the returns made |.
by the Commissioners of electioH, or
other proper officers under the law, and |
If a majority of those voting be in favor
Of Convention, or against convention,
it shall be the duty of the Governor to
Immediately issue his proclamation an
nouncing the result.