The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1878-02-15
convention, and the people believed
Ithatethese promises would be carried

convention, and the people believed
thatethese promises would be carried
out. M
We may defer it, and this Assembiy
may refuse toscali the convention, but
che issue VIII be- made in the next
campaign. If any man We're to attempt
to stem this great tidal wave, this
ground swell of the people, he would
be just as unsuccessful as was. Hardi-
canute in his effort to sweep back. the
waves of the sea. L appeal to the
members of the Democratic party to
carry out the promises they have made
in good faith. af3S ~. 5F.2E2ia = "a
y In conclusion, Mr.. Wise said he
would pursue the course of'trying to
defeat the amendments, and take the
chances Of the General Assembly call
ing a convention. t,i =.
Mr.. Leonard said
There are defects in the constitution
both of omission and commission, and
sincerely wish to relieve the State of
the burdens under which she has so
long groaned. This constitution, sup
posed by some to have been the pro-
duction of ignorant and inexperienced
men, was Intended as an instrument
Of spolaition, and is well adapted to
the purpose-can be used by any party
which may be in power. The people
do not desire to be injured by their
friends any more than by their ene-
mics. ai5Sta r"9t'', 80
The pervading spirit of this constitu-
ton is that Of Capitalization. There is
a tendency on the part of those whom
the people place in power to make
themselves independent Of their con-
stituencies. 5't1ii ~ @.4''' =
u Under the form of government of the
United States, which the people must
regard as the bulwark of their liberties,
any constitution which inculcates the
idea of Capitalization must be abrogat-
ed. He insisted that the rights Of the
States should be recognized, or the
government would lapse into despotism.
referring to the defects in the constitu-
ton; Mr.. Leonard read the minority
report, which he had prepared, but
which was not received by the House.
The report opposed the majority on
the grounds that the Legislature would
exceed its powers and because the
amendments were not such rs were
desired. He defined as the reforms
demanded by the people, the follow
ing: -s,, ~. ..,.,,,,....,.
1. A constitution to be ratified by
the entire people, and free of the de-
fects which characterize the constitu
ton of 1868; the lessening of the ex-
traOrdinary powers of the executive
and legislative departments, and the
of the powers delegated to
municipal authorities and police juries
the re-establishment of the Judiciary
system of 1850; the abolition of the
Offices of tax collectors, etc., and the
collection of taxes by the sheriff; the
abolition of the present system of public
education the prohibition of monop-
lies and the aboishing of those now
existing; cancellation of Indebtedness
iraudulently contracted, etc. He argued
that this ground was not covered by the
He thought that u con-
vention would tend to- break down
party lines and establish a firm basis
for progress towards true harmony and
~. e0 lai43.ttnE f9I .a5sn \
The constitution OF 1868 is an engine
of spolaition and destruction, skillfully
adopted to the purposes for which it
was designed, and will continue to sub
serve those purposes no matter what
party may control, no matter who the
individuals may be temporarily oc-
cupying official POSITIONS. ItIpresents
itself and is constantly presented as an
insurmountable barrier to those who
sincerely desire to relieve the State
from the many burdens she has been so
long compelled to bear. .4anld .
.l-li.s..f .--..---.-...-.-...-..-.-u. 81 -iaH~