The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-01-19
The Constitutional Convention.

we lnInk, 10 JuuSo HUH 'n0 to"o
of the country press as expressed
du,ing tie past four months, that 1T
least 80 per cent of tho Democratic
party is in favor of " Constitutional
Convention, tho remaining 10 per
cent certainly favors changes IN the
present instrument, aud radical changes
at that.
1t is quite interesting to peruse the
"inte1views" Of the New Orleans
Democrat reporter with the solons-
vulgar1y supposed to represent their
constituents, now, giving us OF Lou
isiana an exhibition Of the "combined
talent" of the State.
Senator Robertson Dem.) 10th
District, stands up:
Senator RI came TO this city
warmly in favor of convention,
but since my arrival, and after con
snltation with representative men Of
the Democratic party in the city and
from the country, l am satisfied that
a call for a convention at the present
time would be impolitic. | believe
that my constituents in the Tenth
senatorial District recognize tho
IMPORTANCE OF CHANGES
IN the constitution that would allow
The General Assembly to reduce tax
alton; but while they demand these
reforms, | do not believe that they
are particular as to the manner in
which they are to be brought about,
and believe that they would prefer
that they should be brought about by
amendments proposed by tho General
Assembly, rather than by constifu'
tional convention. Shonld there be
any doubt of the result of on election
for said convention, which, from con-
sultation with prominent members OF
our party, | have.
COME TO THE CONCLUSION
there would be, then would 90 with
my party.
Comment: The Senator has queer
idea of representing his constituency
who favor (if we are to judge from
the Press of his District, which is
better authority than the noble Sena'
tori a Constitutional Convention
"Coming to the city" changed his
opinion.
Whom does be representa-
Senator L. F.. Texada, of the
Twenty third Senatorial District
comprising the parishes of Rapides
and Vernon, was the first gentleman
spoken to upon the subject, he being
decidedly opposed to a convention,
stating that he thought tho people Of
the country were much opposed to
the calling ofa constitutional conven-
ton at this time-not that they dc
not recognize the necessity of training
amendments to that fundamental law,
but that they do not think the pres
ent an opportnpe time to bring on
political campaign.
ITO tell you the truth, SIR" sait
he, "our people, after the past har'
assing campaigns, want political rest
They haze had surfeit of excite
ment, and what we need now is time
to devote ourselves to other pursuits.
He did not think that an election 70
members of a convention at this tim
would work anything but harm to thu
State. The election nf 1873 for Stat
Treasurer ia not far distant, and an
other election before it would DO
INJURIOUS TO OUR PEOPLE.
When asked whether or not /
would be the most expediept cours
to have the amendments passed b.
the Legislature, aud then submitted
to the people at the election for tn
Treasurer, he said that he thought
possibly, that would be the bette
course, as it would save the peopl
from tho excitement incidental TO ~
additional campaign.
However, if the party decided t.
hold q convention, he wOnld supper
the measure, but, Individually. h
was opposed to it, as were the think
ing men of his constituents.
There were too many idle people il
The State now, he thought, to agitat
snch a measure, and until they eou!
be provided with employment
would be better net to disturb tn
people of the State.
The VIND1CAToR has larger Gil
eulation in Vernon than any pape
published in the State. Its corret
pondeuce with private gentlemen an
conversations with citizens and &C
9uaiptanees Of Rapides, leave n
doubt that Mr.. Texada IS not repre-
senting his constituents.
Senator H. G. Mitchell, Of til
Twentieth Senatorial District, cou
prising the parishes Of Bossier, Bien
Vile, Claiborne and Webster, Ia
very decided views in opposition TO
convention. There were question
that could not he discussed in a con
ventiou, and, besides, it was BY n
means an assured fact that the bel
ter element would control ifs actio
in framing a constitution. For thes
reasons he opposed convention an
would do 50 were the question brougl
up in the Legislature.
Then why not, Mr.. Mitchell, abo
ish Constitutions entirely. Yot
opinions are anti Republican and III
American.
Sena,or James TT. Grover. of II