The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-02-13

table Mr.. Kidd's motion to strike out the enact
Ing clause, but his voice was drowned by ap-
plallse in he aleres.
=, The = - motion was put atH carried By vote of
---~%9
A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
VIEWS OF THE COUNTRY PRESS UPON
TIE NECESSITY OF CALLING
A CONVENTION.
The Country Unanimous for Il GOnven-
tim, and opposed to Patchiug UP thg
Present Constitution with Amend-
ments.
ISt Mary Enterprisei
We say again. let us devote more thought
to our organic law, and frame 1t with judy
lnent and wisdom. Legislative patchwork
won't do.
[Plauuemines Observer.l
A convention is necessary: it Is what tho
large majority Of the people in the parishes
want and demand. Amendments. could they
be passed and referred afterwards to the peo-
pie for ratification, would cost quite as much
as II convention. We want no patched-up
constitution Give us q new one.
tMarksvile Bullelin.l
There is u growing feeling among the mem
bers of the House in favor of calling a con-
vention. The Senate, however, is not yet pre-
pared and ripe for this measure. 1t Is well
that our lawmakers should, even at this late
day, giveasome consideration to the public
wish so plainly expressed upon this important
measure. And we are glad to see that the ad-
vOcates OF q convention among tho country
press are holding their own against those
who are unwilling to redeem the sacred
pledges made during the last campaign.
tOpelousas Courier.l
The sentiment in favor of a convention is
gaining ground in the Legislature. Demo
Gratis now opposed to the measure admit tho
probability of the amendments being defeated,
In which event a convention will be the only
alternative.
We would not like to have to meet the tatInt
Of Republicans that they forced our friends to
respond to the popular demand for cOnven-
ton.
1T is better in our opinion to anticipate and
prevent such an unpleasant complexion OF the
matter.
East Felieiana Homestead
Tho proposition of securing these all-ir-
portant and necessary amendments through
the Legislature is impractical Even il they
passed that body, the submission to the peo-
pie would be useless practically inasmuch as
four-fifths would never give thought until
the day OF election. Such certainly was, tho
result with the last amendments proposed.
The objection of expense in the calling q
convention is one that ought not to he consid-
cred. The benefits OF the changes and amend
nents to the people are worth many times
more than their cost. La fact the expense
would be no more than an extra session OF the
Legislature, and Of these we have had several
since the constitution of 1868 was adopted.
shreveport Timesl
We are permitted to publish private let
ter, under date of the fourth, from a promi-
nent member of the Legislature from one of
the lower parishes to q gentleman OF this city.
The writer expresses an opinion as to the pro-
ho, rc.,1ltc nf effort tn tinlxpy tho
present constitution that we anticipated and
predicted from the first. Though ut first
opposed to convention, for reasons given
in the letter, he has at length been
cannot be securedsm favor of needed amend
meEsts. Since the date of his letter, how
ever, q special dispatch from New Orleans
gives us an insight into the sharp practice
being resorted to by the monopolists, who
dread convention, of buying Radical mem
bers over to a support of amendments they
would otherwise oppose. so that the adyo-
Gates of q call for the convention may be de-
prved of their strongest position that the
requisite two-thirds vote cannot be had in
favor of vital measures OF reform.
1t is. under the circumstances the clear
duty Of the friends of the convention them
selves to vote against the amendments, il
they are not sweeping and thus force the Leg
islature to call one. 1t is fair to assume that
the enemies of the measure, OF some of them,
of the monopolists.
IPointe Coupee Pelican.I
Indications lead us to believe that the Leg
islature will submit certain amendments to
the constitution to the popular vote and not
call a convention. We do not intend, to CEN
sure the Legislature, no matter what course
they may deem best to adopt, for we have
great respect for many OF our lawmakers, but
we do say that, in our Judgment, a convention
is indispensable to effect the changes desired
by our people, II convention is not ordered
the masses will! be disappointed. Bat one OBJ
ing convention. This objection drawfs into
when compared with, the grand
result that must follow the assembling OF a
body composed of the best and most trusty
citizens of the. State. authorized to- form an
organic law for the State. srhe present con-
stitution wants too much tinkering TO patch it
up. 1t was the work of Radical GaIpet-bag-
gers, and when the fountain source was inn
pure you could not expect anything to flow
from 1t that was not tainted with impurity.
Let us have new constitution, pare, fresh,
life-giving, springing from the people through
their chosen representatives, and not force US
to live longer under an instrument forced
upon us by our oppressors.
[Natchitoches Vindicatorl
When we ask the opposers of a constitu
tional convention to say how we shall be re-
lieved from the burdens the present instru-
ment, adopted by aliens.and for the purpose
OF plundering and degrading us, lays upon the
material interests of the State. they, cannot.
answer. They are as silent as a charnel-house
We are led to the conclusion, from their main
tanned silence, that they are powerful as OBJ
iectors, but perfectly helpless as advisers.
The arguments in favorof 81 constitutional
convention are found in the facts of the his
tory Of this commonwealth for the past eight
years; are read in the downfall OF every com
that, so lost to liberty, submitted
that their sovereign power s o,ald be wielded,
unrestraned, by constitutional provision, Ivy a
Legislature of corrupt men.
The arguments against it consist of theories,
of surmises, and of conjecture all born Of
fear or cupidity.
1t is useless to say that "our assembled
wisdom at the State capitol, "with an op
portunity for consultation" know bettef than
the people. We have Just returned from the
capital, and find that public sentiment there,
outside,t the officehoders, is the same as here
solid tor q convention.
We gave our readers, last week, the points
upon 7Ehich the opposers OF constitutional
convention rely as a justification of their con-
duct IN not needing the demands of their con-
stituents. That these reasons are futile all
intelligent minds must admit. Patchwork
with, our constitution will not do. The whole
instrument must be abR0gated.
Our legislators will consult the wishes Of
the people by calling a constitutional eonxen-
ian ond adourDinpf