The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-11
MEET TO CHANGE
STATE CONSTITUTION
SENATOR FINNEY T. CAR.
TER PRESIDEs.
Gov. Roberts and Many Other
Delegates Express
Views.

Senator Carter, OF this city, pre-
sided over meeting In Nashvliie
Thursday in which was featured the
need of constitutional convention fof
Tennessee and the selection of a cam
paign tommittee. Mr.. Carter Is the
| chairman OF the joint legislative COM
| mittee on constitutional convention
appointed at the last legislative term.
The questions to be considered by
! the convention were left in the hands
OF the delegates to be elected, should
a convention be called by the election
OF Sept. 4.
The meeting was arranged by the
Joint action OF Speaker Seth NJ. Walk
err. OF the house, and Speaker Andrew
L. Todd, OF Nashville, who some time
ago sent out request to the chairmen
of the county courts of various coun-
ties OF the state to appoint delegates
TO attend this meeting so that senti-
ment of all counties could be ascer-
tanned About fifty counties were rep
resented. Col ]. II. Acklln, of Nash
VILE called the meeting to order in
the hall OF the house OF representa-
tives at o'clock. He declared nomi-
nations open for permanent chairman
and Senator Carter was elected with
out opposition. T. J. Murray. Jr., Of
Jackson, was elected secretary. After
explaining the objects of the meeting
and the method of the selection OF
delegates Senator Carter introduced
Gov A. II. Roberts to deliver the adj
dress OF welcome. In opening his re-
marks Gov Roberts said that for a
long time Tennessee had been shackled
TO an antiquated constitution that had
kept the state from going forward
with the rapid strides that II should
make.
The governor stated that the legisla-
ture had decided to remove this handi-
cap and provide two methods of rule,
one being to call for a constitutional
convention with the question OF
whether or not one should be held.
being left to the people and setting the
date for this election on Sept. 4.
Should this prove successful second
election will be held. at which time
the delegates to the convention will be
selected.
The second method, that being pro-
Wded by the constitution, was for the
legislature to pass amendments and
let them lay over until the next ses-
sion.
John r. Aust, OF Nashville, introduced
resolution that county court selec-
tions should govern the personnel of
the campaign committee. and they
were requested to add to their mem
bershfp such persons as they believed
will best serve the good of the cause.
Col. George c.. Porter of Nashville,
and Col G. N. Gibbs. OF Chattanooga,
we're present and both made short ad-
dresses favoring constitutional
amendment. Both were members of
the constitutional convention of 1870.
Col. Joel b. Fort made a short adj
dress along the same lines.
Col Jerry whitson, OF Cookeville.
was In favor of a new constitution, and
urged that the question as to the
changes should be left to the repre-
sentatives of the people.
A resolution offered by l.. e.
Gwinne. OF Covington, providing that
a. central campaign committee of three
from each grand division of the state
be elected to handle the campaign was
adopted
Mrs. Guilford Dudley spoke on behalf
OF the women, saying woman suf-
frage would come before the conven-
ton could act on the matter.