The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-04


ject to a fair compensation for judicial
talent, but we should exercise some dis
cretion and economy In this matter and
receive a guild pro quo. Either enlarge
the districts or increase the number of
terms 80 that we may have more fre-
quent jail deliveries and not keep the
parties imprisoned for offenses, great OF
small. for months at the expense of the
parish.
This evil can be remedied by the
Legislature, and we trust the press
throughout the State will call public
attention to the matter, SO as to impress
1t on the minds Of the members.
[Marksville Bullesin.l
The objections to calling a conven-
tlon where indeed any have been urged
ct all, are predicated upon the supposed
cost attendant upon the meeting Of
such body and the apprehened agi-
tatlons and divisions which such q step
would be likely to engender. In the
present embarrassed condition Of our
finances the question Of cost is certain
ly q most grave one, and as an impor-
tant factor In determining questions of
this kind. should receive all proper
consideration. But what becomes Of
such an objection in the face of the
already demonstrated fact, that the
convention will save annually to the
State, by the retrenchments It will in
| troduoe, enough out OF the annual ex-
penses OF the government to pay and
satisfy all charges which it can possi-
| bly, entail on the public treasury.
| Something akin to o vague apprehen-.
sion exists That the calling together Of
convention may induce q state OF divi-
sion and excitement which had better
| be kept down. But why more so in this
than any other professedly non partisan
movement?
| Ii the reforms sought to be accom-
| plished consisted only of retrenching
| the expenses Of the government, legisla-
tive amendments might probably reach
| the heart OF the disease. But the ques-
| tions with which q convention would
have to do would be something besides
governors, judges and the per diem and
mileage OF members OF the Legislature
something besides fixing the basis and
ratio OF representation, the number Of
days the Legislature is to sit and how
often 1t shall meet. As important as
these questions no doubt are In q finan-
cial view, they may all be disposed OF in
few amendments. But behind all this
there would be other grave questions to
grapple with; questions, we apprehend,
which would never be exhausted by o.
lot of sleepy committeeman working on
time.
The jurisdiction Of courts always to
be clearly and sharply defined; the
powers of the Legislature and the just
limitations to be put upon this power !:
| the protection of the citizen against
special and class legislation these and
numerous other questions OF scarcely
less serious import are all to be acted
on and determined. No Legislature
harnpered and burdened ON all sides
with the duties of legislation, in the
brief space of time allotted to it's ses-
sions, is competent to such task. Be-
sides. the power of the Legislature
extends only to amendments, where
as the question here 10 not one
Of amendment, but of an entirely
new constitution, 80 obnoxious to
reproach and radically defective Is the
present one. Eliminate the odious pro-
visions from the constitution of 1868
and there Is absolutely nothing left OF
it. We cannot hope to exc out q new
constitution by amendments, and new
constitution is what we need. And there
is no authority outside OF q convention
able to perform this work. It Is of too
delicate and complex character to be
confided to any body but @ body of ex-
perienced men chosen specially for the
purpose. We are then for a conven-
ton, cost what it may. We are willing
mo longer to wear the collar the histori-
Zeal carpet-bagger and his dusky ally
placed on our necks. No, nor any part
of it,