The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-06
WHAT WILL THE LEGISLATURE Doq

One Of our morning contemporaries at least
II very violent In it, opposition to eonstitu-
tional conventiod, and persists in seeing no
necessity or good reason for calling one dur
Ing the present year. II starts out with the
startling proposition to the people Of Louis
lana that the present instrument IL good
enough for all the purposes Of government
and that there IL no reason TO be dissatisfied
with t. This is the first timo we have heard
eAis assertion from any, even Republican,
source. Even In the last Legislature IL was
universally conceded by both the friends and
opponents Of . convention that the present
instrument which serves us rs constitution
was extremely obnoxious, In letter and spirit.
to the people Of the State, that it embodied
many principles Of fundamental law to which
they never gave their sanction. and that the
governmental fabric erected by It was both
ruinously extravagant and cumbersome.
This was regarded ~ specially true OF the
judiciary department, which was found, at
once, insufficient for tho discharge Of the
public business, and excessively expensive.
The best evidence OF the truth Of all We have
said Ii the fact that not loss than twenty
amendments Of the constitution were deemed
necessary by the last Legislature. and yet
the sweeping changes they proposed were re-
garded as altogether insufficient.
The only question has hoen as to the best
way OF effecting the desired changes, whether
by the process Of submitting amendments to
the people or by calling constitutional con-
vcntion. The former expedient has been
twice resorted to. and In each instance 1t has
proven q lamentable failure. Both times it
was shown to be Improbable to make such
sweeping changes Of the constitution by any
other process than that afforded by a conven-
ton. It was shown that at general election
the people could not be induced to vote dis
criminatingly upon such measures.
In each instance 1t was found impossible to
even discover and promulgate the results
from the returns. There Is but one method
left to obtain the alterations of the govern
mental structure, which are regarded, 50 uni
versally. as necessary. and that is,by con-
vention.
The next argument advanced against con-
vention Is the indIsposition Of the people to
go so soon through the excitement of another
election, and the injury that would result
therefrom to our material interests. There
can be no doubt as to the wishes Of the peo-
pie, II they have been correctly represented
to US by the members Of the Legislature with
whomwe have come In contact. As for the harm
that may result from an election, or the dis
organization Of labor that Is anticipated, it
may be said that an election for members of
constitutional convention is not likely to be
such thrilling and exciting an affair as any
ordinary election, into which personal ambi-
tions and aspirations enter. But even were
1t twice as exciting as an ordinary contest,
yet the reasons for 1t are 80 potent that 1t
should nevertheless be held. And II this ar
gument Is good now 1t will be good In all fu-
ture time. and We will never have conven-
ton.
Upon the score of economy oil that need be
said Is, that II the convention does Its duty,
what It Is expected to do, 1t will in single
year, by the abolition Of useless Offices, the
reduction Of salaries and the reconstruction
OF the Judiciary department, save more money
to the State than the convention would cost.
There IL certainly some legislation of q
pressing character which should be passed,
and which the Legislature cannot afford to
delay or refuse to attend to. But this can all
be got through with In few days-two or
three weeks at the furthest-and after the
convention has been assured.
There can be no doubt Of the temper Of the
members ct this time, and We feel safe In pre-
dieting . very short session and eonven-
uon. The convention will. doubtless, be IN