The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1878-05-03
CONSTITUTIONAL PATCHWORK.
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AT the lust session Of tho Legislature
nineteen proposed amendments to the
Constitution were passed, which will
be submitted to the people ut the next
November election. Each amendment
will be voted upon separately. We
make synopsis of the proposed
Amendments:
Amendment number One-Chnnges
the day of election from tho lst Mon
day in November to the first Tuesday
after the first Monday cf the same
month. It also provides that the Leg
islature shall meet on the first Monday
in january (same AS now, but only
once in two years, which Is quite often
enough. .,..
Amendment number two prohibits
the Legislature, after this year, from
levying, In any one year, more than
poses or from collecting In one year
more than one per cent Of the casl,
valuation Of real and personal property {;
except in case Of war. New Orleans
pays one-half Of one per cent. I4egisla-
ture Is prohibited from issuing bonds,
loaning the credit of tho State, or
empowering cities and parishes to
issue bonds or create debts. New
bonds may he issued for old ones,
where the debt or interest IL not
increased.
Number three reduces the pay oi
members to $500 per session, and
actual travelling expenses, not to exceed
$50. For extra. sessions, $3.50 and act-
ual travelling expenses. Regular ses-
sions limited to ninety days, unless
two-thirtls Of both Houses vote other
wise. The latter clause is imperfect,
as there is no limit, and the Lesisla-
ture may sit in continuous session.
Amendment number four prohibits
any special ur local law changing the
place OF trial of criminal cases the
manner OF Iegitimating children !;
vacating roads or streets rem ittinx
fines, or refunding monies legally paid
into the treasury; affecting estates OF
minors cxempting property from
taxation creating mOnOpOlics lcgaltz-
ing illegal acts of officers, or giving
them extra pay; or from changing
parish sites, or creating new parishes,
except by twO-thirtls vote of tho
parishes interested. All special laws
are prohibited where general laws arc
applicable.
Amendment five reduces the Gov
ernor's salary from 5000 to ~, 900 l.
year.
Number six reduces the Lieut..
Governors salary from $4,000 to $500
a year.
Number seven gives the Governor
power to vote separate items In aT-
preparation bills, and approve others :;
also, relates to the manner OF vctoing
bills.
,ss,t,t
whose salary is fixed by the COnstitu-
ton, from receiving fees.
Number nine abolishes Parish Courts,
and gives District Courts original
Jurisdiction in cases exceeding 800,
instead of 500, AS at present; also,
appellate jurisdiction ia sums over $40,
instead of = 100, as ut present. In Grim
iDal cases and probate matters, powers
arc unlimited. Justices of the Peace
remain unchanged. The Legislature
is empowered to authorize District
Court Clerks to perform ministerial
powers.
Number ten reduces the salary OF the
Chief Justice OF the Supreme Court
from 81 500 TO 81 600 IA year; and Of the
four Associate Justices from ~ 600 to
sc, 800 a year each. AZ it repeals the
section creating the Supreme Court aud
makes no provision for the election or
appointment Of its Judges, it practically
aboli,hes that august tribunal when
their terms are ended, unless the
Judges hold over for life.
Number eleven empowers the Legis-
lature to divide the State into not less
than 30 nor more than 45 judicial dis
tricts. The present number Is limited
to 10. At least four sessions, yearly,
must be held. Circuit Courts can be