The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-22
SEINE Needed Changes In our C0nstitu-
ton,
[Pointe Coupee Pelican.l


We sincerely hope that the convention will
be composed OF the best men that the par.
ishes can select, and that the constitution
which they will frame will be q model OF Re-
publican simplicity.
Let the new constitution take from the Leg
islature all power to create monopolies. Such
charters are always dangerous, and create a
privileged class among uS-they tax the many
Tn the benefit Of the few. and must result in
the establishment OF an aristOcracy.
We would not Interfere with existing cor
p0rations whose charters were honestly
granted by the law-making power, and which
do not come In conflict with the public good.
We would preserve inviolable the public
The State funded her debt at the rate of
sixty cents on the dollar, but agreed to pay
. rate OF interest far above our ability to
The convention should, among It's first du-
les, appoint a committee to Investigate the
funded debt and ascertain II illegal and fraud
udulent debts were not funded; IL so, we
know Of no standard of morality that re-
quires US to pay such obligations. The con-
vention should propose to those holding our
funded bonds to meet us In a spirit of COM
promise and reduce the rate Of interest. We
do not wish to repudiate, but at the same
time the commercial and Industrial interest
OF Louisiana is so Frustrated and there is
such shrinkage In values, that the interest
must be reduced to meet the capacity Of the
people to pay.
we WOulu nave bHe convention liz II limit To
the public debt. This is absolutely necessary
to prevent extravagant legislation, and with
out this Limitation the State will be plunged
Into bankruptcy and our people become so
burthened with taxes that they will be moth
ing more than seris and bondsmen to the
m0neyed power.
We would have the number OF offices re-
duced and salaries regulated SO as to pay
only In proportion to services rendered.
1t would be unwise as well as unjust to re-
m M Y,1af topl
how worthy no matter how talented, would
be entirely barred from sharing in the honors
and emoluments Of office, ii, In spirit OF false
economy, salaries are fixed at starvation
rates. none but rich men can hold Office and |
intellect, worth-merit-all go for nothing |
The laborer is worthy OF his hire, and this |
maxim holds good equally In public as In
private affairs.
The judicial system should be as simple as
possible, and made to conform to the long |
3xed opinions OF the people. We are not pre-
pared to have new systems ingrafted on our |
laws. II the parish courts are to be abolished, |
then we would give the district court, equity,
CIVIL criminal and probate jurisdiction with |
authority to sit twice year, and we incline
b the opinion that there should be a district
Judge for each parish. It is questionable IL
pared to have the common law migrated on
our system, and 1t Is most likely that such a
change would result In much confusion, en-
and loss; for we are totally un-
used to the common law practiced in other
States
As most important and far above every
thing else, we would have the new constitu-
lion provide for the education OF every child
10 the State-equal educational advantages
lor white and colored We would not force
an inauguration of races, but we would say
70 tne colored child you shall have equal
rients IN all the blessings OF education, and
Ine organic law will be wanting in complete
public schools
In Justice to the executive the judiciary
ana other officers, we would have them serve ,
out their constitutional term. It would pre-
vent any sudden and violent attack On the
BODY polite; It would allay agitation. excite
nent and partisan feelings.
III the convention gives us such const;tu-
Zion; Republican in its features: untinntured
0y political or class bias; shielding hotb s
races; favoring home industries and pfotectl
ing home enterprises, the State of Louisiana
VIII soon take the rank she once held in the {
community OF States; the energy and indus. c
sry OF our people, with our climate, soil and ,
PRODUCTION, require nothing but good laws to |
make us prosperous :
~ nave given our views at length, and in
s.Se o1ners to criticize or controvert them e