The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-21

eng penalties Tor bribery we're already on the
statute books.
Delegate Sutherlln Withdrew his amend
ment to refer to the Committee ON the Legis-
lative Department., and moved that 1t be re-
ferred TO the Committee on General Provi5-
ions.
Delegate King opposed the motion to refer.
He believed the Convention should act upon
the article now and as IL was In his opinion
good provision he hoped 1t would be adopted.
Delegate Bell explained his motives In
thought 1t was a good provision, and II 1t was
not under Its proper heading he believed the
Committee on Revision could place 1t In Its
right position In the constitution.
Delegate Todd said that similar provision
was now before the Committee on General
Provisions. He believed 1t to be good one.
and was certain that his committee would re-
port IN ordinance fully agreeing with u;
The previous question vas then ordered,
and Oh the motion to refer 10 the COMMITTEES
called, resulting: Yeas 81, nays AZ, ana Inc
motion to refer prevailed
Article I3 was referred to the Committee on
General Provisions without debate II reads
ART f3 Any person who shall directly or
Indirectly offer, give or promise any money
DR. thing Of value, testimonial, privilege or
personal advantage " any fxscuuveo Or Judl-
elal officer, DR. member Of the General Assem-
any ag hs official duties, shall be guilty Of
bribei " and be- punished In such manner as
shall IN provided ny law, and the General
Assembly shall, ut its first session after the
adoption Of this constitution provide by law
for the punishment Ut this Offense.
Article IA was read:
ART. a. The Offense Of corrupt solicitation
of members " the General Assembly, or Of
any public officers Of this State, Or of any
parochial or municipal division thereof and
such members Or officers to influence their
official action, shall be defined by law, and
shall be punished by fine and imprisonment;
and the General Assembly, at Its first session
after the adoption Of this constitution, shall
provide by law for the definition and punish
ment Of this offense.
Delegate Robertson moved to refer to the
Committee on General Provisions. Adopted.
Article Is was taken up, and on motion OF
Delegate Robertson, was referred to the
Committee on General Provisions. 1t reads
ART. Is. Any person may be compelled TO
testify in any lawful proceeding against any
person who may be charged with having
committed the offense OF bribery or corrupt
solicitation or practices OF solicitation and
shall not be permitted to withhold his testi-
mony upon tho ground that it may criminate
himself or subject him to public infamy; but
such testimony shall not afterwards be used
against him In any judicial proceeding, ex-
cept for perjury in giving such testimony,
and any person convicted of either OF the
offenses aforesaid shall, as part OF the pun
ishment thereof be disqualified from holding
any Office or position OF honor, trust or profit
in this State.
Article IS was taken up, as follows:
ARTICLE l6 Any member Of the General
Assembly who has a personal or private inter
est In any measgre or bill proposed or pend
ing before theJeneral Assembly shall dis
close the fact to the house Of which he is o
member, and shall not vote thereon.
Delegate Moore, Of Lafourche, moved the
adoption OF the article.
Delegate Simon moved to amend by refer
ring it to the Committee on the Legislative
Department.
The amendment was laid On the table, and
the article was then adopted.
Article IL was read:
Art II. That no er post fnctO law, nor law
mpairtng the obligation Of contracts, or
| retrospective In Its operation, Or making any
grant Of special privileges Or immunlties can
be passed by the General Assembly, nor can
vested rights be Invested except for purposes
Of public utility, upon adequate compensation
previously mode
Delegate Leake moved to strike out the
word that ct the beginning Of the article.
Adopted
Delegate Parlange moved to amend BY pro
viding that all charters, privileges and fran
chises hereinafter granted shall BE- revocable
at the pleasure Of the Legislature.
Delegate Pardee thought the subject was
fully covered BY articles already adopted.
| Delegate Watkins favored the nendment
Delegate Breaux did not believe that the
i
. charter and revoke 1t at the same time. lie
believed that when railroad or d ,er com
pany was chartered and acquired property
under its charter 1t had rights that jould not
| be Invested.
Delegate Vance called attention , char
ter granted in 1872, which gave q company
exclusive gas, waterworks ferry ID ware
house privileges In the city Of Sh eveport
When the people OF that city VOL 9 up one
fine morning they found that they belonged
to monopoly. According to the { sntlemar
that people had no remedy and wolId now be
In the power OF that corporation.
Delegate Mcconnell did not think 1t was
necessary to incorporate such proposition
in the constitution. The people had the r1gh1
| to abolish any railroad company, or any
other monopoly, by inherent right before any
| constitution was made and which were above
all constitutions. He opposed the amend
ment.
Delegate Lyons offered an amendment to
| the amendment by adding the words lex
cept when such charters, privileges, and fran
chises shall have been granted for limited
time, not to exceed fifty years" and adyo
Gated It's adoption.
Delegate Semmes opposed action at this
time, and moved that the article and amend
ments be referred to the Committee on The
| Judiciary.
Delegate Poche moved to amend by refer
ring the whole subject to the Committee or
Limitations for further report, which amend
ment was accepted and the reference was
made.
Article IS was read, as follows:
Art. IS. The State Of Louisiana shall never
be made defendant in any court, Federal 81
State.
Delegate Moore, Of Lafourche, moved TX
strike out the words Federal or State" anr
insert state Or Federal, except In such cases
provided for Ia the constitution OF the United
States"
Delegate Todd offered substitute prOvd
ing that the State can only b. sued under the
constitution Of the United States, without Tx
permission Of the Legislature, and that nt
| Judgment shall b. given against the State tx
cept BY the Supreme Court.
\ Delegate Moore, Of Lafourche, moved tx
lay the substitute On the table. Adopted,
Delegate Land offered the following amend
either directly or Indirectly through her Of
scer-," and after The word state" insert Tex
I crpt in cases of Injunction to arrest the col
i lection ~ Illegal taxes, fines, penalties anc
\ f0rfetures.
4 Delegate Watkins moved to strike out thf