The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-03-13
Ne. 4.
AM Act
An Act
Proposing amendments to the constitution of
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An Act
Proposing amendments to the constitution Of
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House oil
Representatives. of the State of Louisiana In
General Assembly convened ftWo-thirds OF the
members of each house agreeing thereto), That
the Following amendments be proposed and en-
tered upon the respective journals Of the Sen
ate and House of Representatives., with the
yeas and nays taken thereon, and the Secretary
of the State shall cause the same to be published
three months before the next general election
for representative to the General Assembly in
at least one newspaper In every parish of the
state IN which a newspaper shall be published.
And said proposed amendments shall be sub
mitted to the people at said election in such
manner and form that the people may vote
for or against each amendment separately
{, e., first proposed amendment, for approval
Oh" against approval" and IN like manner as to
the others; and If o majority OF the voters at
said election shall approve and ratify such
amendment or amendments the same shall be
appropriately numbered and become a part of
the constitution, and be proclaimed as such by
the Governor and Secretary of State. .g.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
No. 1.-The issue Of consolidated bonds All.
thOriZed by the General Assembly of the State,
at its regular session in the year 1874, is hereby
declared to create a valid contract between the
State and each and every holder of said bonds,
which the State shall by no means impair. The
said bonds shall be a valid obligation of
the State in favor of any holder thereof, IA no
cottEt SHdiL EIDOl1 Juc ptlY1lc0G OF Tile principal
or interest thereof, or the levy and collection of
the tax therefor; to secure such levy, collection
and payment, the judicial power shall be exer-
cised when necessary.
The tax required for the payment of the prin-
cipal and interest of said bonds shall be assessed
and collected each and every year until the
bonds snail be paid, principal and interest, and
the proceeds shall be paid by the Treasurer of
the State to the holders OF said bonds as urinci-
pal and interest of the same shall fall due, and
no further legislation or apPr0nriation shall be
requisite for the said assessment and collection
and for such paymen from the treasury,
No. 2-Whenever the debt of the State shall
have been reduced below twenty-five million
dollars, the constitutional limit shall remain at
the lowest point reached, beyond which the
PUBLIC debt shall not thereafter be increased ;
and this rule shall continue in operation until
the debt is reduced to fifteen million dollars. be-
yond which it shall not be increased. Nor shall
taxation for all State purposes. excepting the
Support Of public schools, ever exceed twelve
and a half mills on the dollar of the assessed
valuation of the read and personal nrapeEtv In
the state, except IN the the case Of war or in
.yasion.
No. 3-The revenue of each year derived from
taxation upon real, personal and mixed prop
erty, or from licences, shall be devoted solely
to the expenses of the said year for which it
shall he raised, excepting any surplus remain,
which shall be directed to sinking the public
debt. All appropriations and claims In excess
shall tnal0 manner provide for their payment,
Signed CHARLES W. LOWELL,
Speaker OF the House of Representatives.
(Signed) &C. ANTOINE,
Lieut., Governor and President of the Senate.
Approved Jan. "a, 1874.
(Signedl WILLIAM P. KELLOGG,
Governor of the State OF Louisiana.
A true copy
7. q. DEsLoHnE,
Secretary Of STATE,