The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1919-07-17
MEETING HELD TO DISCUSS
NEW STATE CONSTITUTION

A special from Nashville to the
Memphis Commercial Appeal, under
date Of July 10, says:
The pressing need Of a constitu-
tional convention for Tennessee and
the selection Of a campaign commit
tee were the features of the meeting
held at the state capitol Thursday aft
ternoon to discuss this question. Sem
ator Finney Carter, of Hamilton
county, chairman of the joint legis-
lative committee on constitutional
convention, presided and large num-
Der of prominent speakers from over
the state were present to discuss
the question. The sentiment for a
new constitution was unanimous and
everything possible will be done to
bring out large vote on Septem-
Der next.
It was the need Of the convention
and not the question to be considered
4by the convention that was discussed
at the meeting. The question of
what is to be considered by the con-
vention was left in the hands of del
egates to be elected should a conven-
tion be called by the election Sep
TENDER 4.
The meeting was arranged by the
joint action Of Speaker Seth M. Walk
er, of the House, and Speaker An
drew L. Todd, of the Senate, who
some time ago sent out request
to the chairmen Of the county courts
Of various counties Of the state to
appoint delegates to attend this meet
ing so that the sentiment Of all
counties could be ascertained. About
so counties were represented yester-
day.
Col. j. II. Acklen, Of Nashville,
called the melting to order in the hall
of the House at o'clock He declared
nominations open for permanent
chairmen and Senator Carter was
elected without opposition. 7. JrI
Murray, Of Jackson, was elected sec
rotary.
After explaining the objects Of the
meeting and the method OF the selec-
ton Of delegates, Senator Carter in
troduced Gov. A. H. Roberts to de-
liver the address of welcome.
In opening his remarks Gov. Rob
erts said that for a long time Tennes-
see had been shackled to an antiquat-
ed constitution that had kept the
state from going forward with the
rapid strides that it should make.
However, he said, the last legisla-
ture, without regard to party affilia-
tions, decided to remove this handi-
cap and provide two methods of rule,
on being to call for a constitutional
convention, with the question Of
whether or not one should be held |
bing left to the people, and setting
the date for this election on Septem-
Der A. Should this prove successful
a second election will be held, at
which time the delegates to the con-
vention will be selected. The amend
ments agreed on by this convention
would be submitted to the people for
their ratification or rejection, such |
amendments being voted on separate
ly.
The second method provided by the
constitution is for the legislature to
pass amendments, let them lie over
until the next session, pass them
again and then submit the amend
ments to the people for ratification.
The present constitution, he de-
clared, was not adapted to present
day business and political needs of
the states. He referred to the taxa
tion system and other matters that
needed remedy and welcomed the Wis
itors to Nashville.
j. H. Acklen was then called on by
Senator Carter, and he read an adj
dress he had prepared on the present
constitution and the needs for a new
one. He said the principal problem
was that Of assuring the people that
there was no Interior motive behind
the movement and that it was purely
for the needs Of the. state. He took
the tax question, legislative system
and needed improvements, and nanv
other items that should be remedied,
and called attention to the fact that
the support of the people was needed
to make the matter a success. He
urged every one to do everything
possible to make the convention a
John R. Aust. of Nashville, then in
troduced a resolution to the effect
that the selection made by the county
courts should act as the campaign
committee for the representative
county, with authority, and the re-
quest that they add to their member
ship such persons as in their judG-
ment will best insure the success Of
the cause.
Also that the committee on ar
act as a central cam
paign committee, with directions to
add to its membership persons from
the different sections who will take
an active interest and do such work
as the nature of the campaign may
require.
This resolution was unanimously
adopted.
Col. George c. Porter and Col. E. C.