New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-01-24
An Act to Call a Convention.

The following is the Act introduced into the
House OF Representatives by Mr.. Sever, of New
Orleans, in regard to a Convention to amend tile
Constitution
An Act to take the sense of the People the expedency
OF calling Convention to change the Constitution
whereas, The opposition of public opinion manifested
to the present Constitution clearly demonstrates that
many of its provisions defective and that its
raj workings and effects not in harmony with the
views and of people, but are destructive Of their
best interests and subverve of the general prosperity
| and progress of the State; and
Whereas, Constitution thus defective and Inadequate
to the wants and destructive of the vital interests Of the
people and the general welfare of the State ought be
immediately changed Therefore, be it enacted by the
| General assembly Of the State of Louisiana:
81 That on e-day of-ne following polls shall
be opened at each of the election precincts in this State
now established by law for the purpose of receiving the
votes Of the qualified voters of this State for against
the calling Of Convention to change the Consultation
That the Governor shall issue his proclamation
and form provided by law for ordering pol to he
opened for the election of members the General ASSEM-
bly, and the said polls shall be presided by the same
Commissioners to be elected in the manner and
the voting shall be conducted, and all proceedings
ha be had in the same manner as il provided BY
law III cases of elections to the General Assembly.
g. Be further enacted That every qualified elector
voting for or against Convention shall have written or
printed upon his ballot the word Conventon' if he be
IN favor OF said Convention and the words Conyen-
tion,,' if he be opposed to such Convention.
BE aJurther enacted etc, That the several Commits
soners presiding said polls shall make RETURNS of all
votes received for Convention all votes received
against Convention to the respective returning officers
Of the parishes in the same time manner and form us is
provided by law for making returns Of elections to the
General Assembly and the said several returning officers
OF each parish shall make return Of the said votes in the
same manner time aud form, is provided by law for
making returns Of Elections to the General Assembly
Be ~ fl"t As enacted etc. That on the day
OF -, 1857 the Governor, Secretary of State and
Attorney General shall proceed to the votes so given
as aforesaid for and against Convention. Ii majority
OF all the votes taken at the polls herenbeore provided
be held. shall be in favor of calling Convention the
Governor shall Immediately issue proclamation making
known the result of such votes and shall within the time
now by law for ordering elections to the General
Assembly, issue his proclamation ordering the several
Sherls of the several parishes of this State issue
wrs OF election for the election of hundred and
twentynne persons to delegates in State Con-
vention said persons shall be chosen special election
to be held on the - day Of - 1852, in the manner
and form now provided by law for the election of
bers OF the General Assembly and the Senatorial
Districts shall elect the number of delegates they
now elect Senators to the General Assembly aud the
several Parishes and Representative Districts shall elect
the number of delegates as they now elect repre-
sentatives to the General Assembly
BE further enacted ETC. That the qualified voters of
TINS state voting for delegates to the said Convention
shall designate their ballots the or names of the
persons voted for as delegates for the Senatorial District
District or Parish the may be- The returns and
certificate Of election of the members Of the Convention
shall be made in the and time as for mem
bers of the General Assembly.
y 4 BE further enacted ETC, That any Commissioner
Sheriff or other officer failing negectng perform
any of the duties devolvcd him by this act shall be
fined in sum not less than hundred more than
five thousand dollars. punished by imprisonment not
exceeding twelve months or both at the discretion of the
Court
s. Be further enacted That if any Commissioner
of Election of any precinct shall fail make return to
he returning officer Of the parish of any poll
CURED to be returned by this act before DAYS
after the time of closing any of the polls required by this
act to be opened or returning officer of any parish
shall fail to make returns of any vote required to
turned by this act it shall be the duty said returning
officer Or the Secretary Of State the may be- to
send for and obtain the said the expense of the
State to be reimbursed by him Them through whose
neglect the said returns shall not have been delivered the
amount to be sued for by the District Attorney the dis
rict wherein said returning officer. falling may reside
g Be further enacted etc. That the delegates elected
to said Convention shall meet at the seat of government
on the - day of - 1852 in case any person elected
to said Convention should die resign election
shall be forthwith ordered to fill his place in the same
manner and time as is provided by law for filling vacancy
in the General Assembly.
TO- Bet further enacted ETC. That the delegates to the
said Convention shall receive the mileage and per
diem pay to which members of the General Assembly
now by law entitled The Of twenty-five thousand
dollars is hereby appropriated for the of said Con-
vention to be drawn for by the Auditor in favor of the
duly constituted members and officers of the said Con-
vention.