The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-07-07
POWERS OF THE CONVENTION.

POWERS .OF THE CONVENTION.
The power Of the Convention TO appropriate
moneys In the treasury. not otherwise APP
proprlated, Or To raise money by loan, or
special tax, for the purpose Of enabling II to
complete Its work, we are astonlshed to see,
has been disputed both III and out Of the Con-
vention. Those who deny this power seem
to usto have taken the most extraordinary
grounds. TX the Convention has no power 70
make an appropriation, Or to otherwise raise
money to prolong its existence and enable II
to complete the constitution, the consequences
will be extremely disastrous TO the people.
The Times and Ficayaae seem to rejoice at
the prospect OF such an issue Of d Convention,
the calling Of which they 80 vigorously and
bitterly opposed. But none the less will the
people be the sufferers. The adjournment OF
the Convention, at this time for the want OF
twenty-five Thousand dollars, will prolong
the period Of doubt and uncertainty which
naturally now prevail throughout the State
as to the final settlement OF the debt, the rate
of taxation, etc, while the cost OF maintain
Ing the old and obnoxious system Of govern
ment now In operation Will cost the tax pay
ers several hundreds Of thousands Of dollars
In hard cash.
IL Ia simply absurd to hold that the Con-
vention elected by the people to do away with
the present constitution, and the govern
mental machinery operating under 1t, 10
powerless to preserve its own existence; and
that ON error Of Judgment, on the part OF q
mere Legislature, In estimating the sum re-
CURED for the expenses Of the Convention
cannot be corrected by the latter body,
though a failure to correct may entail upon
the State burden ten times greater than the
deficit.
The Legislature of 1870 was elected with ex-
press instructions to call the Constitutional
Convention. For two years the people had
demanded this measure In the most en-
phatic terms The Convention was called at
the demand of the people; Its delegates were
elected with express or tacit instructions to
form new organic law radically different
from the present one, and under which hum
dreds Of thousands Of dollars would be an
nually saved To The taxpayers Of Louisiana
The Convention. then, 10 sitting In New Or
leans to-day under call Of the people, and
under directions from the people to give them
prompt and large relief from taxation.
|, The Convention was the creation of the
people alone; 1t can know no other authority.
The act OF the Legislature was q mere form,
designed to voice the will Of the people In
the nature Of things, ii could fix no limita-
tIons or restrictions upon the Convention cal
culated to defeat the objects for which 1t was
called. The mission and purpose Of the latter
body Ia to wipe out OF existence the constltu-
tlon and the whole system and machinery
under which the former Had i iss being n
therefore, the former had power to limit the
existence Of the latter, then the Legislature
had power to defeat the will Of the people
through the very net Iii which 1t pretended to
obey their demand. This is absurd
The Convention derives Its authority
from the people. The people elected 1t to
perform a great and pressing duty, and they
demand that 1t shall proceed with Its work
and resort to all proper ways and means, re-
CARELESS Of any legislative act, to provide
money to enable 1t to consummate that work.
Aside from the question Of authority, 1t
would be unwtse and unjust for the Conven-
tlon to appropriate, for its own use, moneys
| III the treasury to the credit Of special appro-
pTlatlDlSy UuG LuSI5 OuHlU ID Do HD question:
as to It's authority to appropriate any moneys
not 50 credited.
| IL there are none such, then Ii ID the duty Of
the Convention. to borrow the money, issue
such evidences Of debt as may be necessary,
and direct the next Legislature to provide for
the prompt payment OF the loan. This Is en-
tirely practicable, and 1t Is what we have NO
doubt will be done. The merchants, brokers
and capitalists Of New Orleans have always
been prompt and ready to aid the State In the
emergencies through which we have
passed during the last ten years
and we are assured that, impressed
with the importance Of the Convention com
j p1eting Its work before adjournment and as
surfing peace and relief from taxation, the,
Will promptly respond to o call Of the Con
vention for the necessary loan. Such a loar
the Taxpayers will regard as a sacred debt
and the first measure Of the Legislature cleo
ted under the new constitution will be te
make provision for the full payment Of tht
/ debt, principal and interest. I'M
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