New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-14

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certainly be too small number for large
parish like that. The majority of them
might not 1--we within forty miles of the
courthouse Three men could hardly be
found in the parish who would be willing to
assume all the responsibilities of police
Jurors and to bear alone the abuse that is
generally heapcd upon them. think that
five would he a better number than three
Add to those five the parish Judge, who
would be the president cX-otficio of the
police jury, and it would be a very respecta-
bic body
MI Lynch: have very great respect Tor
the Senator from ST. Landry, and if he is Il
specimen OF the police jurors of his parish,
l think i would be satisfied with jury
composed Of one man if l resided there.
But think that law of this kind should
be general in its operation. as was aptly re-
marked by the distinguished Senator from
OuachIta IA few days ago III reference 10
another bill. | have 10 douit that the
parish Of st. Landry will DO well attended
to by police Jury composed OF tire" men.
Mr.. Ray: would suggest that az the
parish of ST. Landry is one of the largest
parishes in the State, in point OF population.
outside of the parish OF Orleans and as the
Senator from that parish prefers to have the
police Jury composed of five men instead "f
three, we III. ht make an exception iii its
be made general. as far as possible.
Mr. Whitney: think the parish OF Tensas
should have five police jurors instead of
three. and l offer that as an amendment.
Mr.. OIIara: think that Tervcbonnc il Il
very large parish. and the people would be
better satisfied. l think, with five police
jurors than with three. | therefore propose
that it be excepted from the operation OF
this bill.
Mr.. jerks: The parish which have the
honor to represent is IA very large parish,
and | think it should also be excepted from
the operation of this bill.
Mr. Smith: | believe that represent one
of the largest parishes outside OF the parish
of Orleans. and | would like 20 have it cx-
ceptcd also.
Mr.. Anderson: There seens to beimany OBJ
jections to this bill. and think it would be
well to have it recomnitted to the Judiciary
committee and then let the different Sena
tors go before the committee. and suggest
those amendments which would be a.reca-
BILE to them. | therefore move that the bill
be rccomnlittcd.
Mr.. Ray: | hope the gentleman Will with,
draw the motion before vote is taken upon
it. We can easily ascertain the opinion of
the Senate. by direct vote on the question,
a, to whether the police .jurie' should be
composed of three or five members.
Mr. Anderson: l insist upon my motion to
recommit the bill. because l am certain that
it will not pass as it now stands.
Mr. Ray: This bill. III my opinion. Is
very important one and Of very general in-
tcrcSt to the people of the State. | can not
see how any good can result from the re-
committal of the bill to the judiciary commit
tee. in order to ascertain whether five or three
would be the best number OF jurors to com
pose the police julies. The committee would
Ia
the Senate. The best way to ascertain
whether three or five would be the best
number woud be to put it to a direct vote
of the Senate.
Mr.. Anderson: There are other objections
to this bill besides the objection | have
in reference to the number of
Jurors As the bill now stands | can not
vote for it. and that is the reason make
this motion to rccommit it. Another great
objection to the bill is it makes the parish
Judge cx -otico president OF the Jury. While
| admit that the parish judge would he ii
very proper man for the position. Vet |
think he has too much to do in his judicial
capacity to allow him to discharge properly
tho duties incumbent upon the president
of tho police Jury. 1t would he better to
have the president elected by the members
from among themselves. Another objection
| have is that the compensation IS fixed at
forty or fifty miles from the parish court
house would be willing to travel all that
distance for the paltry sum of two dollars |
a day. have not read the bill very care
fully. and it may contain other objection
able features l think it should be referred |
a gain to the judiciary committee, in order |
that they may prepare another bill which |
will be more acceptable to the Senate than |
this. The money which is expended by the |
~
llrv of the State: it is exclusively parish |
matter. The per diem of the members and !
the expenses of public improvements are |
paid by the parish, and II Is therefore Il |
matter OF great interest to the people. | in |
stat upon my motion to rccominit the bill
Mr.. Lynch suggested that the Senate
should 60 INTO Il committee of the whole and |
amend the bill at once.
Mr. Anderson said that il could not be |
properly amended in that way.
Mr.. Ray moved to lay the motion to re-
commit on the table. Not carried.
Mr. Ray: The object of the motion to re- |
this bill, as stated by the senator.
is to have it defeated altogether. suppose |
that is his object. because no question has |
been raised which would render it necessary
for the committee to investigate the sub
ect again. and make an amended report |
upon it. am satisfied that if the Senator |
will examine this bill thoroughly. he will |
ind that it meets his views precisely. In
matters of detail it can easily be amended |
by the Senate If the compensation allowed
to the jurors ia not sufficient. we can easily
raise if, and if the number Of Jurors to each |
police Jury is not enough we can easily i'll
'rease tho number The committee cannot |
decide those questions satiStaCtO TO the
Senate. As to the question whether or not
the parish Judge shall be cx-otficio presi
lent of the police jury, that Is question
which il open to the discussion of the Sen
ate. The question now is, whether the
senate shall without any discussion on the
matter at all recomnit the bill to the Judi
'iarv committee. If that motion i, adopted
t Will have the effect of KILN. this meas
ire for this session. l. believe that this
subject is one of great public importance.
have lived i'll this State for a great mum
Der of wears, and l am perfectly satisfied
hat some change is needed III the pre-
ent system of organizing police iuries
nder the system proposed by this bill the
expenses of each parish would he greatlyin
reased. Where the parishes are divided up
nto wards it becomes a matter ofl!ttlc i'm
,O1tance who arc elected members of the
,slice Jury, and generally persons are
selected who are net of much Importance
n the parish. The consequence is that the
business of the police iurics is very loosely
conducted. The object of this bill i, to got
he best men of each parish Oh the police
uries which will save the parish /, great
expense. In my opinion. there ia no bill
before this Legislature of more public i'm
,ortance than this one 1t may he defect
We III some particulars, but i'll the main il |
= correct. 1t does not apply TO the par
shes of Orleans and jefferson on account
If their peculiar organization, but it is an
Matter to the other parishes of
he State. hope the Senate will not con