The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1877-09-21
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES
NEEDED. l.s a.

| TO the only argument against Con
stitutional Convention worthy of con-
sideration-that of its expensiveness-i
we answer briefly, that a Convention of
u number of delegates equal in number,
to the Lower House of our Legislature,
and sitting for sixty days, ought not
| to cost more than one hundred thou
sand dollars, including mileage and
per diem of members, contingent ex-
penses and publication of proceedings.
Let il now he borne in mind that the
changes proposed in the judiciary sys-
TEN will alone save to the State more
than this amount in one single year
and when we take into account many
other reductions that are proposed and
ought to be made, the objection to Il
! Constitutional Convention, on account
of the expense, will indeed appear to
be sspenny-wise and pOund-fOOlish." '@
Let us now enumerate some of the
changes that we think ought to be
! made: '- ''
1. Limiting the appropriations of ex-
penses of the General Assembly, and
fixing the per diem and mileage OF
members.
2. Amending Article 66 of the pres
ent Constitution with reference to the
signing and PRONUNCIATION OF acts ofthe
Legislature by the Governor also au-
l
nOr's veto to a section or part of Il bill.
3. Abolition of the present system of
Parish Courts and of the Office of Dis
| trict Judge. +'
4. Extending the Jurisdiction of the
Parish Courts SO that it shall embrace
| the Jurisdiction now exercised by the
District Courts.
S. Creating Circuit Courts of Appeal,
the circuits to embrace six or eight par
| ishes-said courts to pass upon matters
of fact and of law, to be composed of
the Parish Judges of the several par
ishes of the circuit, and their respec-
less than $25OO.
6. Abolishing the country sessions Of
the Supreme Court, confining their jur-
| isdiction to questions of law, and re-
ducing their salaries to four thousand
dollars.
| z. Taking the judicial offices entirely
out of the theatre of politics, by giving
to the Governor the authority to ap-
point the judges, by and with the ap-
proval and consent OF the Senate, and
making their terms of Office sufficiently
long to compensate men of the proper
standing and capacity for the abandon
nent of their private pursuits.
8. Taking away all fees Of Office from
the Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney Gen
eral and Prosecuting Attorneys, and
limiting their compensation to their
salaries.
9. Fixing the Governors salary at
$1,000.
10. Restricting the legislative power
| to matters of a general nature; requir-
ing the enactment of a uniform law for
| the charter and government of munich
| pal corporations; prohibiting personal
statutes and special legislation; abol-
ishing nonopolies and prohibiting
their creation; restricting the taxing
power of the Legislature to raising
revenue to support the State govern
ment and public schools, pay the capi-
| tai and interest of the State debt and
pension the veterans of 1912.
| IL. Prohibiting the Legislature from
passing any law authorizing the Gov
ernor to remove an officer, either elect
ed or appointed.
12. Prohibiting 4 member of the
Federal Office, or any Office of trust or
profit in the State, the tenure, duties
or emoluments of which may become
the subject of legislation.
13. Extending the term of Office OF
tSheriffs to four years.
IA. Prohibiting taxation by the mum
icipal authorities of the several parishes
beyond the rate of the State tax.
Is. Prohibiting persons from voting
who have not paid their annual poll
tax. .
16. Abolishing Art. 1872 of the present
Constitution prohibiting sale OF land at
judicial sales in quantities larger than
fifty acres. ....
II. Abolition of the Office of District
Attorney, substituting in each parish a
States Attorney to be appointed by
the Police Juries, for four years, to be
? paid annual salaries by the several par
> ishes, to be regulated by them.
! Is. Requiring the Legislature to pass
!. !. law prohibiting justices of the peace
and constables from receiving any fee
r or perquisite in criminal cases, and pro-
viding for their compensation other
wise also fixing their term of Office at
four years.
10. Guaranteeing to all citizens equal
civil and political rights, an equal par
ticipation in the public schools, and
making it felony for any officer or GUS
!, todian of the school funds to speculate