New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-28
CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL AMEND
MENTS.

MENTS.
The Republican leaders will! perceive
after while that there will be no altera'
tion-radical alterations in the constitu-
ton and laws Of Louisiana. The Pica.
yuue calls 4 convention to remodel the
constitution. Can this measure be long
postponed. Ought :heamerdment Of the
laws and the modification Of the consti.
tuition be deferred:
Republicans Us well as Democrats are
DESTROYS to reduce fees OF Office. and limit
the powers Of the public authorities to
! create debt and impose taxation. Re-
publicans have been the first to institute
these reforms. All the limitations III tie
legislative aud municipal powers have
! originated with the Republican party. and
they are prepared to sustain any further
reforms necessary TO bring the form OF
government il conformity to the pr;n'
ciples Of Kepubiicanism. Why. then.
| will no. Republicans take the initiative in
the inevitable: Why should they shrink
from the euactmeI: Of their Own prin'
ciples:
We can very readily show why the Re
publicaEs should themselves make such
amendment, as may be required III the
organic and statute laws. and such as may
in the opinion Of the people be necessary.
We repeat that :: convention will be
empowered to reform or repeal the whole
constitution. We remind our Republican
friends that there are certain fundamental
principles now embodied in the constitu-
ton which they do not wish changed.
The right and practical exercise Of sui
frage without qualification Of property
has been implanted in the constitution.
Do our Republican friends wish these
guara ntees impaired: Yet such suffrage
restrictions may be imposed as will
greatly affect the present rights Of the
people, and this without violation Of the
federal laws.
Why, then. allow this whole subject to
come under tie control Of a majority pos.
sibly hostile to the principles embodied
by the Republican party: The executive
stands in favorable position to offer the
reprieve Which all agree to be proper
withou. imputation Of an improper mo.
tive. Let him. in his annual message to
the Legislature. say: Il was not respon.
sible for the creation Of your debt or
taxation. yet have limited the one and
reduced the other"
II am not responsible for the defects Of
your constitution or laws, yet I will re-
form these az have done the finarces."
If he would then proceed to examine the
constitution he will find his own depart.
ment endowed with powers not possessed
by the executive of any other Republican
State. He will find power to appoint
judicial and military officers and to fill
municipal vacancies. Hewitt find officers
under the State and city governments re-
ceiying compensation far in advance Of
thei. services or capacities. These re-
forms should be made. It is not proper
in time OF universal restitution that
some men should receive rrince.y .ev.
enues while Others can 40; Obtain. employ
men; OF bread for their families.
/, is only necessary to call % the atten.
ton OF lis exee!!ency. the Republican
Goyevno, of Louisiana. the APP: aren't d1-
ties and advantages OF his position. II
the constitution is to be amended. the
Republican,. should retain contro! IT the
powe: to amend. l: there should be pal
pablo reforms Of law necessary, the Kepub.
licans should take the first steps to make
those reforms. They should also take
whatever of popular approval may result
from ala effort to carry out the popular
will.