The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-22

and lie should watch It's deliberations with
interest.
The election OF permanent President was
declared In order.
Delegate Stille nominated Hon. l.. A. Witt
OF Orleans and Delegate Allan named Pierre
Landry. of Ascension.
The ballot resulted: Witt 1O2, Landry ~,
and Mr.. Witt was declared elected perma-
nent President Of The Convention.
On motion committee Of three, consisting
Of Messrs, Poche, Breaux and Landry were
appointed to escort President Witt to the
chair.
On taking the chair the President addressed
the Convention as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Convention:
For the honor conferred upon me by your
partial sufrrages return to you my most cor
dial thanks. In making me the presiding off,
Ger Of this body you have conaded to me an i'm
spOrtant trust and imposed upon me onerOus
which hope to deserve, and fshall try to fniali
as many OF the duties OF this laborious position
asmy strength end ability may permit. Even
with your good will and cooperation and with
all The Incidental aid rendered By competsnt
officers and assistants the task will be uiff1cut
may demand will be cheerfully made in the SER
vice of this body of representative citizens, and
In that OF the people whom you worthily repre-
While anxious. as your presiding officer, to
act with strict and impartial justice In all
scious that neither this eager desire, nor
present pains. nor past experience can insure
me against errors; for which / ask In advance
abide by and obey the will OF the Convention as
expressed In it's rules. votes and resolutions
may at times err as to, the true Int rpretation
acts. In such cases 1t will be a kindness on the
part Of delegates to note the errors promptly.
rvpl IYt1nC Anh tfrYI xN4S,
may arise shall most cheerfully call upon the
Convention for its good Judgment In the prem
mon to all deliberative bodies. and In their en-
forcement anticipate no difficulty. They are
merely the rules OF good breeding as adapted
taneously practieed at all times, and by an in
stinct common to all who combine good will
In this connection let me advise and urge a
strict adherence to the established order of bus
mess. Those among the honorable delegates
tive bodies are we'll aware of the enormous waste
Of time that results from habitual disregard of
the rules Of debate L. the maxims of parIiapen
mess should be considered. These rules, m8x-
inns aud customs are all founded on reason and
generations of makers. They are the con-
centrated results of the wisdom of centuries
ana ere e b found il al authorities on parlia.
In the constitutions and laws OF the States, as
well as In the rules Of Congress and State leg
strict conformity to common and accepted GUS
toms. and especially to such, rules as
the G9ny saoncs mfg ts sstablisn
be suspended only in cases Of emergency. Let
no anxiety or partiality for special subjects In.
ular order and succession. There are no mo-
tons which shall pct with more reluctance
than motions to suspend your rules. motions
motions to assign designated business by special
order. to nxed days and hours. Dissatisfaction.
Of these motions. They are only proper on ex-
Jtraordinary occasions. Permit me, further
more. to advise you to discard all craftsmanship.
Dreiudiess. Your mission is to establish gov
udea ana un e peope s6 o the
State see 1t TO reasrume their power and SOW
sereignty Tor the purpose OF delegating 1t to
be for the good of all the people In all sections,
Of all occupations. Of all races, Of all ages, Of
III oSnd2 II beaT qst b 6 a1s LIBERIA and
the least perceptibe bias In favor of any sect or
party, The -ditice you are about to build
justice, and to all Its walls the plumb line OF
impartiality should be app led thnt they may
lean neither TO the right hand nor the left
of the task which we have undertaken The
@ us out Of t6e
herent power and sovereign prerogatives
plenary and unduestOned authority to
frame q constitution which shall b. a cove
nanted league and perpetual compact between
each citizen and all other citizens, until the peo-
powers and form still another constitution.
We, who are q few bear the awful RESPONSE
bility Of all the power which ali the people Of
could possibly meet in single body to frame a
constitution OF government for themselves.
We Wb9 are b few are nd authorized f H. to ae and
great mass Of the people. Out Of their original, {
full and fndefeastble power and right OF self
government We are authorized and expec ted to
grant. In their name and on their behalf. sun. !
dry clearly designated and strictly defined !
functions to each branch Of threshold agency s
lion which shall be binding upon the people 7
and and, their servants agents and substitutes 9
ar here by
Ind establish such an agency as will 9
oerpetuate the principles Of just government
ernment that will insure justice to all classes '
without denial. Partially or delay; govern "
ment that will uphold the law. maintain order g
hat will promote public tranquility and hap s
o si 9 government that will prevent the 7
nents Of external power and provide for The a
general defense: a government that will thwart il
he tyranny of majorities and prevent hasty. Y
needless and passionate public sentiment from i
assuming the shape Of oppressive laws; a gov b
srnment that will tortify civil and religious lib
erayj aelne; secure and perpetuate NATURAL
government limited IN its a'en pewer ai 20 tax
tent the oppressive abuse 81 aegreea ats
capital; government that can encourage in g
lsustTy. dlfuse Intelligence. educate the youths a
p al races. secure the public health against j,
imported pestlence and protect alluvial regions K
ba me-, a6ods government that will maintain
ana purity OF the electoral franchise, maintain "
he barriers which separate the several depart Y
orh Ire speech and free press. and