Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1844-05-25
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w ESI DATUM JDQNEs- MAY %ISL lSAA, ~
GENTLEMEN I'm reply TO your i~nterrogato-
ries propounded to me in the Baton Rouge
Gazette, on the important subject of tho con-
%vention, its power, and my opinion Of the pro-
posed amendments to the constitution.
/ believe it was the intention ofthe trainers
of our constitution that it should be fully tes.
ted by experience, and if after a fair trial, there
should any part of it be obnoxious, to amaior.
ity Of the good itizens ofthe State, they could
through theirTepresentatiVes in both branches
Of the Legislature, have a law enacted, speci-
flying, ell the changes and alterations tilev de-
sired, which should be submitted to the peo.
pie for their consideration and vote at two diff
ferent elections.
This has been done, the law enacted by the
legislature, specifying the alterations contem-
plated, the people have voted on them At two
different elections, a majority of the people
declared themselves in favor of those proposed
amendments, and to call a convention, the
Legislature has passed a law providing for the
election of delegates to the convention and
fixed the time and place of its meeting.
Thus far all has been done in strict con-
formity with the requirements of the constitu-
ton, and the question now is mooted, when
the convention assemblies, is their action, Iimi-
ted and restricted to the specifications as set
forth in the law submitted to the people, and
on which they voted TO call a convention. or
is their power unlimited, over all the consti-
tuition and its provisions.
frankly tell yen in my opinion they are aus
thorized only to amend the constitution, on
those points specified in the law on which the
people voted, for the constitution makes no
provision that when amended in convention Ii
shall be submitted to the people for theit rati-
~fication, and this TO my mind is conclusive.
that the intention of the convention of 1879.
was that the people should approve Of all the
proposed amendments prior to the meeting Of
the convention.
And as every citizen of the State that has
held any Office civil or military, under the con.
stitution and laws of this State, has sworn to
support that instrument, and as [ have taken
this oath, I~cannot swerve from what I believe
to be the intent aud meaning offhe 9TH arti-
Gle ofthe constitution.
My opinions as given above covers vour
first and second interrogatory, for these arti-
cles and sections of our constitution, which
provide for the appointment of officers, is not
included in The amendments proposed and SUBJ
mitted to the people. I believe the oonven-
ton is not authorized to amend or change that
part of our constitution, and whether | am d
member ofthe convention or not, | shall con-
tlnue IN favor OF conservative measures.
! am IN favor of extending the right of suf-
frage to every free white male citizen Of the
United States Of 2l years Of age who has the
necessary residence.
md if a citizen is a qualified voter then TO
be eligible to any Office in the gift of the peo-
pie.
am opposed and always have been to the
faith and credit Of the State being pledged for
the use and benefit of monied corporations,
and am in favor Of limiting the exercise Of this
power.
Yours respectfully.
sAML M. D. CLARK.