The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1878-02-16
Constitutional COnYen.
lion

Edttt w iOiti a iI'N SciiStlt ttipti
for the Government OF Louisiana,
and now that the Legislature Is
refusing to RESPOND 10 their de
mandS, they have turned their
tiie upon that body. and condem
the REPRESENTATIVES for the action
that they have takeb N this mat
ter.
No sensible man denies that
there are great improvements to
be made in the Constitution IN
der which the State now exists,
that there are great evils in that
instrument that should be elinill-
ated therefrom, aud that certain
other articles in the interest OF
economy, and retrenehmeut ofeX-
renses should be added thereto.
This fact is universally admitted.
Conceding this position. the QueS-
ton whether Il Convention Of Del
cgates elected by HE voters is the
best method OF CORRECTING the ev-
lis OF the present Constitution by
the formation OF Il new one, nat
uraIly arises.
Ms above stated a majority of
The Press contend that that is the
only manner in which the work
can be properly consummated.
In ordinary circumstances that
would be the besF and most speed
y method but whether it would
be the wiScst plan, To day, in
Louisiana is considered by many
persons, as extremely doubtful.
AT the present time harmony and
tranquility exist among the PEG
pie. Of all classes and races. in
this State, such as has not been
witnessed for twenty years.
An election for delegates to
frame IA New Constitution would
be Il golden opportunity for the
leading memberS of the late rul-
ing party 10 excite one race
against the other. disturb the
present harmony, herange the L.
Dor OF the planter at Il season OF
the year, which would be ruinonS
to his interests, and perhaps Sc
care the seating OF llany of the
same class OF men who framed
the present Constitution.
In oldtr to prepare Il ConStitn-
tiom, better adapted tothe wants
OF the people, the first and most
essential point is - know who are
Ia comp0>, Ike Convention which
is to prepare it.
The prv>ent Legislature, or at
least. the Democratic members
We're rhoSea upon ii littform ON
which were displayed in conSpic>
n0ns letters, the words retrench-
mtnt Hlid reiotm tie cry upon
every stump was that the plum
'!cllng OF the peoples money must
be brought to a close. and that
honorable and honest men must
DE placet III font who would
guard tie peopieis interests and
work only for the general pros
perity and public welfare. This
WAS the ian&uage used hy the
Orators sent out by the Democ-
lacy all over the State, and un-
der these promises ANA pledges,
made Us all the Candidates. that
patty successfully carried the
State at the election il November
1876.
Now III this very session of the
Legislature, whose Democratic
members were chosen as the Rep,
i~eSentatIras OF ii ppiicy Of reform
alton the Spectacle is exhibited
ottwenty six Democrats voting
for the Mileage Grab by which
some forty nr fifty thousand dol
lars WAS taken from the Treasury.
aud placed III their own pockets,
Without one particle OF Justice to
sustain such action. Members of
the Legislature putting their
hands into the Treasury and
paying themselves twice for the
same mileage, Il proceeding un-
heard ofin the history Of this
State heretofore, With no other
ground to sustain their votes. tx,
cept that such Il provision was
found III this very Constitution
that they L so anxious to over
throw by means of another Con
vcntion.
1t is natural to presume that
the Representatives III the Lesis-
latuIe would be elected Delegates
to II con NentiOn,Or men of similar
IDEAS Of reform. Can the people
hope to gain ANY benefit for the
annoyance confusion and Jealous.
les that would be occasionei and
e~n9endered by an election Of DeIe
gates, and the expenses which
Siith a Convention would Occa-
sion Is there any good reason to
believe that men who voted for
the Mileage Grab, the other day.