The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-26
BAR FAVORS new
CONSTITUTION
Chattanooga Lawyers Heart
lily Indorse Constitutional
Convention.
VARIOUS EXPRESSIONS
Sentiment General That Prog
ress of State Hampered by
Present Constitution.

Members Of the Chattanooga bar
are almost unanimously for q consti-
tutional convention, and unhesitat-
ingly say SO.
While the lawyers are divided In
their opinions as to what changes
should be made. they say that
change in the Anticipated constitution
of this state should most assurediy
be made, and that now is the time
for such a change. A number OF
lawyers were seen Saturday morning
and briefly gave their ideas and
views of the proposed constitutional
convention. c. w. X. Meacham, a
member of the firm of Cantrell,
Meacham & Moon, when asked re-
garding his views, said: "The state
as we'll as an individual should keep
abreast of modern, progressive
thought. Tennessee cannot do that
in many aspects so long as 1t is ham,
pered by an out of-date constitution.
The people Of the state owe 1t to
themselves to adopt modern consti-
tuition, suitable to the spirit of the
times and every man ought to seize
the present opportunity to vote for
a constitutional convention
T. Pope Shepherd said: 1--WE most
assuredly need a new constitution,
and l am in favor of it first for the
purpose of a badly NEEDED change in
the court system in Tennessee. The
biggest objection is to the appellate
court in Tennessee. Tennessee now
has double system which is en-
tirely unnecessary in that it pro-
vides for a civil court of appeals and
supreme court, which Is unneces-
sary as one supreme court with
eleven members is sufficient. The
state supreme court should be di-
vided into two divisions, and should
sit at, Nashville all the time, thus
doing away entirely with the civil
court of appeals. Further, the taxing
system in Tennessee needs changing
badly. The constitution should fur
ther be amended so as to provide for
an income tax law in the state. The
present tax system limits the legisla-
I ture in passing tax laws and leaves
1t with no broad right which ii
should have. A further change should
be made, limiting the right of the
legislature in the passage of local
legislation, and last but not least, the
convention should settle the right OF
woman suffrage"
]. III. Anderson said: Tennessee
has an old, wornout, antiouated con
stitution which was adopted in 1884
and has only once been slightly
changed. Experience has taught us
that it is impossible to amend the
constitution, and before it can be
done action has to be taken by two
successive legislatures before ar
amendment can be submitted ito the
people. II we have a constitutional
convention and If the present con
stitution would be amended so that
the proposed amendment would be
submitted to the people promptly
and voted on, a great deal of evi
would be remedied. l don't think il
practicable at this time to adopt &
new constitution out and out because
/ of the unsettled condition of affairs.
/ Judge s. D. McReynolds said: q.
have not at this time studied the
situation thoroughly, but l most as,
suredly think that we should have
number of changes in our consti.
| tuition. AS to whether now is thu
time or not l am not now able t.
say"
Gen. George w. Chamlee said: "
am for a constitutional convention
for I believe we need one badly.
think one change that should b.
made and one which Is necessar!
and essential for the growth of Ten
nessee cities is the one giving prop