The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1873-08-16
AN ACT

ment for such otfCmSe; providing
that II any public officer shall adj |
here 10 or recognize any UsTper,
his Office shall be forfeited and con-
sidcred abOndOncd, and directing
and regulating legal proceedings to
have such abandonment and for
fixture declared; authorizing the
Governor Ia declare such forfeiture
and abandonment in certain cases,
and 60 remove such officers and to
I'LL the vacancies so made, 10y APP
pointment.
Section !. Be it enacted by the
Senate and House of Representative
of the State of Louisiana in General
Assembly convened, That l. any
person shall assume or pretend to he
All officer Of the State, executive, iu-
dicial, or Legislative, without author
ity of an election declared by the
returning board constituted by law,
or without authority ola commission
from the Governor of the State, in
case the laws require such Office to be
commissioned, such person 50 lille
gally assuming or pretending To be
public officer shall be deemed a usurp-
er. If any such usurpcr shall attempt
TO exercise the functions of a public
officer, and shall interfere with any
public officer in the discharge of his
duties, snch uSurper 80 Interfering
shall be deemed to be guilty of crime,
and upon conviction may be fined or
imprisoned at the discretion of the
court, or both.
Sec. >. Be il further enacted, etc,
That if any public officer, whether
State, parish or municipal, shall give
adhesion to, or in any manner rccog-
nize the authority Ofany person who
may be usurpinga public office with
in contemplation of this law, such
puclic officer 80 giving adhesion to or
recognizing such Usurpcr shall be
deemed to have forfeited and aban-
doned the public Office held by him
under the constitution, tn = laws and
the government of the State.
Sec. ). Be it further enacted, etc,
That whenever the Governor of the
State shall be informed that any pub
lie officer has forfeited and abandon
ed his office 10y giving adhesion to or
recognizing any usurper within the
contemplation of this law he the
Governor may i'll case such office is
established 10y the constitution, direct
that the Attorney General or the
District Attorney shall take legal
proceedings before the court of conf
petent jurisdiction to have such for
fixture and abandonment declared
The proceedings in such case shall be
summary and shall be had by rule,
of which the officer so charged with
having abandoned his office shall
have notice of one tull day. The court
shall at once hear and determine such
rule. Ii an appeal shall be taken by
the State or by the party defendant
10 such proceedings, il shall he made
returnable within ten days, and shall
be heard by preference by the Su,
prelne Court, as in case OF contest fol
judicial office.
See. 4. Be it further enacted, etc.
That whenever the court of compc,
tent jurisdiction shall declare that
any public officer, whose Office is cS-
tabl'shed by the constitution, has
abandoned and forfeited his office
within contemplation of this act, anC
for the cause herein given, the Gov
ernor shall fill such office by appoint
ment under the laws providing fol
filling vacancies i'm public offices.
Sec. >. Be il further enacted, etc.
That whenever the Governor shall
ascertain that any public officer
whose office Is established by an ac
of the Legislature, has given adhe
sion To or recognized the authority o
any usurpcr within contemplation o.
this act, he the said Governor NAV
declare that such officer has forfeite,
and abandoned his Office under tn,
constitution, laws and government
of the State, and he, the Governor
may fill the vacancy in said office 10y
appointment under the provisions o
the constitution and laws regulating
appointments Ia fill vacancies.
Sec. 8. Be it further enacted, etc.
That all laws or parts of laws conflict
ing with this act he and are hereb,
repealed so far as they conf lict, anC
this act shall take effect from anC
after its passage.
lSigned) e.. w. LOWELL,
Speaker of House of Representatives
lSigned) &. G.. ANTOINE,
Lt. Governor and PreS't ofthe Senate
Approved March ), 1873.
(Signed) WIN. ?. KELLOGG.
Governor of the State of Louisiana
y true copy:
P. G. DEsLoNDE, Sec'y of State
No Al JOINT RESOLUTION
APProPriating ABB % to make good tn
deficiency in the approximation for M =