The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-30
THE COUNTRY PRESS.
Against constitutional Convention.
fHparta RuraI Times

[sparta Rural Titnes.1
Our readers will remember that in an
issue Of several weeks ago we urged
several amendments or changes In the
present constitution. And throughout
the State the subject has been, and is
being discussed. Some are urging q
oonstit ltonal convention. Others op.
pose this Tor various reasons. and recon-
mend the remedy Of amendments sub
mitted ct the ballot-box as at the last
election.
We again refer to this subject for the
purpose OF contfadieting some assump-
tions taken by the country press. and
especially to represent the true sense OF
our citizenship on this very important
matter In this section.
The city press is asked to believe that
there is O general and almost universal
cry for o constitutional convention
throughout the country parishes. And
the journals of the city are censured
severely for their indifference as to this
prevailing sentiment. They are accused
Of at least a negative suppression OF the
views OF majority OF the people.
! We have taken sotLe trouble to inter-
view as many leading citizens of North
Louisiana as convenient, as well as to
sound the popular feeling at large.
We find that Gen. John Young, Of
Claiborne; Judge GasAlns, OF Lincoln.
both members of the Legislature, and
other leading citizens agree that 1t Is
not yet time for constitutional eonven-
tion.
Many other prominent citizens Of
North Louisiana accord with the opin-
ions above expressed. And as far as
the general popular opinion of the peo-
pie goes, wherever the matter is thor
oughiy discussed, they incline to the
Same opinion. Thus we say the country
| have u constitutional convention. We
know that this district would vote such
| down by an overwhelming majority.
Let 1t be remembered that there are
| two sides to the question, and there is
| no way OF lodging the issue. Bare
abuses, yituperations, high sounding
disdain for all that the Radicals ever
| touched, will not call this convention.
The many reasons urged by the anti
| conventionists must be squsrely met
and fairly overcome, il possible, before
such convention can be oonvoked.
How IL Can be Done.
tvienns ssntnel.l
There can be no question about the
necessity OF O change in our State CON
stitution. but we do not believe the me-
sembling of delegates in convention for
such purpose. The people have been
on q strain Of political excitement for
quite q number Of years, and they need
rest and quiet now more than anything
else. Since the overthrow of Radical
ism In this State and the final settle-
ment Of the presidential question, the
| attention Of Louisianians has been given
principally to commerce.. agriculture
and edueation-uuestion OF paramount
Importance. It seems that all desirable
changes to be made in the constitution
can be made soon enough, and with far
less cost to the people, without O con-
vention. Next January the Legislature
OF the State will assemble again-aud
that Legislature is composed Of able
and patriotic men-men who have
shown their devotion to the interests of
their eonstituents-and when they meet
again to legislate for our State they will
be free from the letters of Hadiealism.
and free from the uncertainty Of Fede-
raj action, so they can devote their en-
ergies to the enactment of good laws
and the abolition OF bad ones. We hold
that the Legislature can do and propose
nil that Is necessary to make our consti.
tuition what 1t should be.
TOO Many District Judges.
INatohitoohes vindioator.l
There are just ten too many district
judges in Louisiana. Twenty. we be-
Iieve, is tbs present lumber, while ten
could do all the work. Six parishes to
each Judge would give them about eight
months work each. They would then
earn their salaries and the State would
save just $4,000 per year.