The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-01-15
Jayhawker No g

This unconstitutional conclave OF
free niggers, deserters,, renegades and
imported scums Of loyalty, who are
sitting in Mechanics Institute, New
Orleans, for the purpose of making
Constitution for the people OF this
State, have been in session for over a
month and as yet have not got the
money question settled SO that they
can receive their pay-the only thing
they really care for. The following
will show how the concern stands up
to last accounts:
MAJORITY REPORT.
To the Constitutional Convention OF the
State of Louisiana:
The undersigned, appointed a special
committee by this honorable body to
consider and report upon the ordinance
introduced by the Hon. w. Jasper
Blackburn, in relation to the warrants
issued by the Convention for the pay
of members and officers, which said
ordinance proposes to make said war
rants receivable in payment Of all tax
es-that levied by this Convention, the
different State taxes, municipal and
parochial taxes, and the purchase OF
public lands; and also the substitute
offered to said ordinance by the Hon.
w. H. Cooley, forcing the sheriffs and
tax collectors throughout the State to
pay into the State treasury only such
funds as were actually received by
them in payment Of the tax levied 10y
the Convention, and requiring the Au-
ditor of Public Accounts to exact evi.
dence from each tax collector or sheriff
to the effect that the funds or warrants
offered to be paid into the treasury b!
them were in payment oftaxes referred
to, beg leave toreport as follows: They
are of opinion that this Convention has
not the power to make the warrants il
issues for the pay of members and Off
GERS receivable in payment of any 9th
er other tax than that levied for TIT
purpose Of defraying the expenses o
this Convention.
Practically. this Convention cannot car
ry out the ordinance it passed on the 24tl
of December, levying the mill tax, whlc|
they undoubtly had the power to pass un
der the reconstruction laws. The cour
of the State would enjoin that ordinance
but. the committee Though they are no
certain he vii! do sol hope and believe tina
the Commanding General will enforce tn
original ordinance in question, and remov
Judges deciding against it as impeachment
j to reconstruction.
The committee think the Commanding
General will enforce the ordinance if no
hampered by the clearly illegal paovision
of the ordinance proposed by Mr.. Black
burn. They therefore report unfavorabl
upon that measure and in favor of the prop
osition Of Mr.. Cooley. J. q. TALIAFERRt
u w. Fl. Cooley.
Blackburn, of Claiborne, presented
minority report, as follows:
MINORITY REPORT.
To the honorable President and Members
etc: ir,,s l., !.
Having been appointed one of Commi
tee of Three to report this morning on tn
matter of the ordinance which l had tn
honor to introduce yesterday, togethe
with the substitute thereto offered by tn
, lLo,onnL1o ,oor,hor C,ono Do;pto Toron
Judge Cooley, I respectfully ask leav
to report on my own behalf in favor oft
ordinance as first introduced, subject t
} any verbal changes which may be deeme
, necessary By the friends of the measur
w. JASPER BLACKBURN
After lengthy debate, the report of II
! majority was approved, and Cooley's sui
stitute for Blackburns proposition W;
adopted.