Louisiana capitolian., 1880-01-24
Gov. Wiltz's Message.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House Of Represent
,+;ves of the State of Louisiana:


at;ves Of the State of Louisiana:
Tn obedience to the long cherished
homes and desires of the people, the Gen
eral Assembly of 1879 passed an act au
tborizing the convocation OF State con
yention for the purpose of framing a con
stitution. The people OF the state ny
large majority approved the actlon o. o.
the Legislature, and at the same tllle
elected worthy and capable delegates,
duly representing all parties, classes and
interests, These exponents OF the SOY.
creion will and power Of the people met
and devoted themselves to their great
task with persevering energy and patrl-
otic zeal, gathering light and instruction
from eyery available source, seeking al
yavs TO promote the higher interests and
weil-being of the State, and striving to
maintain, fortify and perpetuate the
franchises, rights and liberty OF the peo-
ple. They sought to ordaln a govern
ment which mi ght be equitable. mpar,
tiol liberal and just to all sections, all
races and all conditions, without bias IN
favor of any party, sect, class or faction;
Having before them the experience and
precept of patriotic countrymen in all
The States, they sought to establish a
constitution which might abide with the
people as q durable and honored cove.
nant of the rights which the State shall
forever warrant and defend IN pehaii oi
every citizen. c,,,o ,,,
Acting in the name of the people, and
exercising plenary representative au-
a thority. the delegates studied to form
such constitution as would, i'll. their
Judgment preserve, perpetaaate ana
transmit the true principles OF repu6ll-
can government; a constitution that
MIGHT insure the administration OF JUS
tjce. maintain salutary reverence for law,
promote good order in society, preserve
public peace and tranquility, prevent
hasty and capricious legislation, snbor-
dinate sentiment and passion to the So
Der reflection of the law-giver, guarantee
religious liberty, limit the power OF local
and general taxation, promote industry,
educate the young, protectpnb!lc health,
maintain the purity of the ballot, forbid
the contracting of new debts, secure the
proper administration of civil and criml-
nal law. limit the functions OF leglsa-
tion within due compass, MAINTAIN the
obligation of contracts, protect the COM
monweath from domestic turbulence
and foreign danger, and to conform IN
nj its branches to the high character of
AZ intelligent, law-loving, free and hon
orable people. .,,
Having been called to preside over the
+oilsome nro]onned and exhaustive de-
alterations of the convention, | wish to
record here my testimony OF the purity,
patriotism and earnest industry shown
by its members, who merit the thanks
and applause of their constituents and
the honorable recognition and remenl-
brance of posterity. The work of their
hands. unanimously adopted by the con-
yeution, has been ratified by the sover-
eirn people, and the constitution OF 1917
has become the fundamental and organic
law of Louisiana. -,
By the same ballot with which the
people solemnly accepted and lndorsed
the faithful and noble work of their del
cgates, they haxe chosen you Senators
, and Representatives to put Their new
= charter ofjust government into practlcal
operation. They have assigned to you
IN exceedingly Onerous and responsible
task, which will seriously tax your ener-
gy. patience and industry throughout
She entire peri6d to which the constlt''-
ton limits your first session. The con
sttuton, while it shuts the door upon
the past and makes new era in our pub
lie affairs, can accomplish the beneficent
intentions of it's Trainers only through
laws adapted to it's provisions and con-
toTmable to it's mandatory economy ana
it's important restrictions. The people
have given You chart for your glld-
ancc and explicit commands which you
are to obey. Under this authority aud
direction you are expected to put the
new machinery of government into prac-
teal and successful operation. Permit
nie to recommend that yOn complete the
d organization Of YOUR respective houses
without delay and address yourselves at
once to the great and good work Which
has been allotted to yon.
In behalf of the new government now
hegun. solicit the friendly c0nsidert-
esam and generous good Of the people
for whose welfare it is to he administer
ed by agents of their own choice That
welfare is the end to which the eXertiOns
of all it's branches must he directed. The |
Judiciary department, all officers OF tile
State, and all members of both branches
of the Legislature are the servants OF the
people, and | ask for them such moral
support as honorable and trusty agents
deserve at the hands of fair-lninded con-
stituents. We ask no indulgence for i'll
capacity or neglect Of duty, but in the
great task imposed upon us we desire
the aid and encouragement OF public
sympathy, respect, confidence and ap-
probation. Remembering the limits as
signed by themselves to the functions OF
State government, the people will exact
from their servants no results beyond
the scope of their various powers as spe-
cited in the constitution, which is their
own sovereign act and deed. Remem-
berins the condition in which we find
the State, and the limit which they have
placed upon the power to tax foI State
purposes, the people will not blame their
Legislature, courts and executive officers
for failing to supply what richer States
may conveniently afford. From the pur-
suit of reform and the exercise OF ecOnO-
my there must result some public prlva-
tions, for which the public servants can
not rightly be held responsible. While
we strive to administer the government
in accordance with the will and spirit OF
the people, may we not expect the po-
tent help and sanction of the people to
encourage and stimulate us9
As a further and most important help
to us in the labOrious and eXacting duties
imposed upon us by the people. may we
not likewise hope for the cooperation of
that great engine of modern intellect,
the public press' Recognizing it as the
dominant influence over popular opinion,
the propagator of general intelligence,
the dissemination of useful knowledge,
the reflex of civilization and the expo
nent of the thoughts and aspirations OF
the people, may we not invoke its benign
influence in aid ofournew regime OF State
government' 1t can help usvery greatly,
not only by kind and appreciative ap-
urOvol when deserved hut also bV inst