The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-02-22

usurpation, they had better call q con
vention, but II they can remedy the evils
the people will be satisfied You have made
ahead R WIZ With the 'a good "Y work york; DON'T Stop until
| you have everything right. The people are
In no humor to be trllied with In this matter,
and Ii you bring them speedy relief In an
economical mariner az they VIII honor honor you, but
weary shoulders you will forever be sunk into
ever reach you. To talk about the Radicals
carrying this State Is disgusting, and Is only
| heard from those who are afraid to go before
| the people for some fat office they now hold.
| The members of the present General Assem-
| bly, have an opportunity Of making q name
| and gaining renown that will never be pre-
sented to them again In q lifetime, but II they
| fail to come up to the expectations Of the peo
Die, they will gain O fame that will be any
thing but enviable.
A clause In the constitution should settle
| forever vexed question by prohibiting mixed
schools OF eoored and white children; and
properly "doctored,' we are inclined to think
that there will not be much Of the original
structure left, and to amend it SO as to make
1t entirely acceptable to the people, we are in
clined to think, will be the most enormous
undertaking ever entered into by Legislative
body.
lOpelousas CourierI
These amendments, seventeen in number,
passed the Senate almost unanimously, with
one or two slight changes; and without divis-
ion or discussion. The promptness and una
nimity with which these importantmeasu1es
passed that body, as well as the significant
omissions noticeable, Indicate that the Senate
action Is the result of caucus compromises and
concessions between tho Republican and DEM
ocratic Senators. The Senate has consumed
many days in discussing and wrangling over
the compensation Of it's members and ques-
tions OF like import, but it adopts seventeen
amendments to the constitution without q
moments elaboration or one word Of public
discussion
Section of the act opposing the amend
ments Is seriously Objectionable. 1t proposes
to submit the amendments. to popular vote ut
general election for members OF tile ,Legisla-
ture, at which time local officers are also to be
elected throughout the State. We do not pro-
pose to repeat what we have heretofore urgedV
upon this point, but will merely remark chat
If amendments to the organic law are submit
the wishes Of the people cannot be obtained in
the netee OF popular election for local and
State officers. Observation and experience
ss tech t asp H{ ee so but a we oHsrgs
its passage through the Senate, Of equally as
grave character. AS it originally stood,
there was n provision for the publication of the
amendments for three months preceding the
election in the parishes where newspapers are
published. This was inserted In accordance
with the requirements OF Article lat Of the
constitution. AS amended, no provision Is
made for the PRONUNCIATION OF the amendments,
and the only authority for submitting these
amendments Is ridden over rough-shodl
The Senate did not see fit, by public discus
sion, to enlighten the people upon these i'm
portant measures and 1t still further curtails
ments which the people might haye had it
published In the local papers. We belisve that
economy , was the pretext The Senator's evil
a1nsg hk t Us eGRde ought w IL esse
sion or division. Now, the business OF framing
the safeguard Of the lives, liberty and
G1 o1pe With a lib ses and should the be
broad light of day. Those who have denied
to the people the opportunity Of proposing
such reforms rs they desire should at least,
the whole scheme is deceptive and idle. We
doubt II any proceeding more thoroughly I'M
democratic than this is to be found In the
pages Of American history, and we know Of no
ton conductor the Roman emperor who caused
his edicts to be posted so high on the city
walls that the populace could hot read them.
Though So, some 2. OF the proposed appointments me
constitution, yet we think 1t Is evident that as
a comprehensive system of reform they fall
far short of the public expectation and de-
We are far from believing that the authors
of these amendments lacked the ability to
present measures more satisfactory. We are
satisfied that they are the result OF O compro-
mise between three influences Democratic
Senators, Republican Senators and the office
holders. A convention OF delegates elected
directly by the people, and for the purpose OF
framing constitution suited In all respects
to their condition and wants, Is the sole reme-
will cure the body polite. Sooner or later
convention must and will be held, and Ii we
correctly interpret the temper Of the people,
the demand for it will soon override the pres
ent opposition, whether the amendments be
accepted or not.
tAmite City independently
We begin to believe that our Democratic
Legislature is disposed to, and will IL 1t can,
shirk it's most prominent duty-that is, shun
the responsibility OF giving us republican
State constitution. Before the Assembly con-
vened we would not have believed any one
who told us that so much OF the session would
have passed with no more done than has been
done In regard to this matter, SO unanimous
and universal was the clamor OF the people Of
the State for a constitution, and so much we
listened to the loud professions OF reform made
by those who have assumed the control OF the
State. And still less would we have believed
that such an attempt would be made as has
been, to feed the sovereign people OF the great
State Of Louisiana with soft corn preparatory
to choking them with the cob. 1t is certain
there never was q question upon which
whole community was more unanimously and
agreed than are the people OF
Louisiana upon this question of a new consti-
tuition. The people want an entirely new con-
stitution-one that will secure to them pure
republican State government, not q few in
different republican patches tackled on to the
foundation of an absolute monarchy. They do
not want this old omnibus OF corruption, mis-
called constitution patched up q little In
the less important points, while its most
glaring defects and shameful outrages remain
In full force. Knowing such to be the ,senti-
ment of the whole people, we supposed that
acted upon by the Assembly, and
that such action would have given US q struc--
ture worthyo OF the builders. But, lol what
do we behold, after this long watching and
which are at last no amendments at aIl-only
simple alterations, that will make matters
but little If any better than they are.
We are now convinced that nothing will do