The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-01-30
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONyEN.
TION.

dance with our views heretofore ex-
messed. The House seems to be
vet laboring with the subject, but we
have no doubt as to the result. The
objections against calling the Con-
vention at this time are so numerous
aud weighty that we cannot believe
that either branch Of the Legislature
can hesitate long. We admire the
promptness with which the Senate
has acted and we fully appreciate
the difficulties of the popular branch
who are supposed to more directly
represent the public sentiment of the
people. The wordy and uumeaning
war of many of the country papers
upon the course proposed by US 10
lieu of the Convention, was well cal.
culated to mislead the members Of
the House as to what was the feeling
of the people. They must not, how
ever, allow themselves to be caught
with chat, and they should act indie.
pendently and for themselves.
We venture the assertion that If
one went into any Parish Of this
State among the people, the real
hardworking, thinking people, and
asked them if they wanted to renew
the strifes and party animosities OF
former years, by a Constitutional
Convention, the universal answer
would be an emphatic no. We can
safely assert too that if they were
asked if they would be willing to
incur the expense of all the elections
necessary and run all the risks of a
new election for all officers, they
would answer that they are unwilling
to incur either the expense or the
risk.
The policy of holding the Conven'
ton at this time, and particularly
since the failure of the crops, is not
only absurd, but is absolutely
suicidal, and should not be enter
tanned for one moment. We repeat
again that the necessary reforms can
all be given US by the Legislature it.
self, and if there should be a few
evils out of their power to remedy,
they can be remedied in the shape Of
amendments
We have seen the objection urged
that the Constitution has fixed the
salaries of officers too high. This is
not so. The salaries of the Consti.
tutional officers are no more than fair
com pensation and the burden is not
there, but is found in the number OF
useless and expensive offices created
by the Legislature, and which the
Legislature can abolish. Let them
abolish the office of Tax Collector
and give the Sheriff one-half Of the
fees. Abolish the horde Of use.
less Offices in New Orleans. Post
pone the payment of the debt of the
State and Parishes in some way and
tighten taxation until times get bet
ter. Do away with all monopolies
Encourage immigration. Foster ant
build up the public schools. Repea
all exemption laws. Pass laws Sc
stringent that no dishonest debtoI
can cover up his property. Hold al
public officers to rigid account anc
impeach them for neglect or failur.
to do their duty. Decrease the Ju
dicia Districts by one half. Keep
careful watch upon their own sxpen
ditures and by such other measures
of reform as may be necessary re
store public confidence, and we viii
have better times and soon have .
prosperous country. One half of thu
property of the State is covered NJ
and out Of commerce. There is nj
security for debt and consequently
there is no confidence.
These we think are practical meas
ures of reform, without the necessit,
of Constitutional Convention
which will increase rather thai
tighten our burdens. The peopl
are looking to the Legislature for re
lief and we advise them to waste nj
time on the Convention project, bu
to address themselves at once to th'
other and more practical measures o
relief. We want rest and quiet, no
strife and turmoil.
-~-~-~~~~-eS~~>
ALLEN JUMEL, the State Auditor
has handed in his official Report
and from it we take the following
figures, from the tables in thu
Report:
peoa;pte for 1872 90 SSo rQf