Title: Tennessee Constitutional Convention Records

Date/Date Range :   1959-1965

Extent: 0.2 linear feet

Abstract:

This collection contains materials related to the Tennessee Constitutional Convention of 1965.

Call number: MS-2497

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

This collection belongs to the University of Tennessee Special Collections Library.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], Tennessee Constitutional Convention Records, MS-2497. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of two folders.

In 1965, Tennessee delegates arrived in Nashville to amend the state's constitution. The method for amending Tennessee's state constitution is a time-consuming process. The General Assembly puts on the ballot the question of whether a limited constitutional convention should be called for the purpose of considering amendments to certain specified provisions of the constitution. If the voters approve this in a statewide election then they, at the next statewide election, elect delegates to this convention. The method for calling a limited constitutional convention to amend the state's constitution can not be employed more often than once every six years. The first limited constitutional convention in 1953 spawned four successors as delegates assembled in 1959, 1965, 1971, and 1977 to amend Tennessee's state constitution. The 1965 constitutional convention changed the criteria for appropriating seats in the General Assembly, extended Senate terms to four years, and abolished biennial sessions of the legislature in favor of annual sessions. County courts were permitted to fill legislative vacancies, and for the first time, lawmakers were paid a salary, plus expenses for traveling.

This collection consists of material related to the Tennessee Constitutional Convention of 1965. Included in this collection are copies of the "Authorization Act for 1965 Constitutional Convention," Governor Frank G. Clement's remarks to the Convention, both the "1959 Rules of Order of the Constitutional Convention" and the revised "1965 Rules of Order of the Constitutional Convention." Also included are two copies that list the delegates to the Convention with their addresses, delegate voting records, Committee reports, Resolutions, and a July 26, 1965 "Memorial to Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Andrew O. Holmes." Several of the Resolutions, Committee reports and the Memorial to Justice Holmes include handwritten notes.

• Tennessee. Constitutional Convention.
• Tennessee -- Constitutions.
• Tennessee -- Politics and government -- 1951-.