The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-02-06
List Of Letters
An Act

AN Act
Proposing amendments to the constitution OF
the State of Louisiana.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives OF the State OF Louisiana in
General Assembly convened twO-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 III which q 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
1. e." first proposed amendment, for approval
or " against approval" and in like manner as to
the others; and II q majority of the voters at
said election shall approve and ratify such
amendment or amendments, the same shall be
appropriately numbered and become q part of
the constitution, and be proclaimed as such by
the Governor and Secretary of State.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
No. 1.-The issue of consolidated bonds au-
thorized by the General Assembly of the State,
at its regular session in the year 1874, is hereby
declared to create q 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, and no
court shall enjoin the payment Of tho PRINCIPAL
or interest thereof, or the levy and collection Of
the tax therefor; to secure such levy, collection
ana payment, the Judicial power shall he exer-
cised when necessary.
The tax required for the payment of the prin.
eipal and interest of said bonds shall be assessed
and collected each and every year until the
bonds snail be paid, principal and interest, and
tho proceeds shall be paid by the Treasurer of
the state to the holders of said bonds as princi-
pal and interest Of the same shall fall due. and
no further legislation or appropriation shall he
requisite for the said assessment and collection
and for snch payment from the treasury,
No. 2-Wheneyer the debt of the State shsIl
have been reduced below TWENTY-FIVE million
dollars. the constitutional limit shall remain at
the lowest point reached, beyond which tina
public debt shall not thereafter be Increased ..
ana this rule shall continue in operation until
the debt is reduced to fifteen million dollars. he
yond which it shall not be increased. Nor shall
taxation for all state purposes, executing the
support Of public schools, ever exceed twelve
ana q half mills on the dollar of the assessed
valuation Of the real and personal property in
vasiOn.
No. S-The revenue of each year derived from
taxation upon real, pers0nal and mixed Drop-
erty, or ffafn licences, shall be devoted solely
10 the expenses of the said year for which Il
shall Dc raised, excepting any surplus remain,
which shall be directed to sinking the public
debt. All appropriations and claims in excess
OF revenue shall he null and void, and the State
aaail in no manner provide for their payment.
signed CHARLES ". LOWELL.
tsigned C.. c. ANTOINE,
Lieutenant Governor and President of the Sen.
ate,
Approved Jan. "a. 1874.
tSigned) WILLIAM P. KELLOGG,
Il Governor of the State of Louisiana.
A true copy
?. 6. DESLOEDE,
Secretary of state.