Louisiana capitolian., 1881-11-19
THE SEAT or GovEENMEnT.
what the Press says About II.

Governors lnexcu6aDie acUlOn al
calling the Legislature in Extra Ses-
sion, at New Orleans, in fragrant Vi
olation of the Constitution. We are
happy to note these expressions OF
public sentiment, which exhibit the
intense desire that the people have
of seeing an early return to a strict
observance Of the laws.
If Governor McEnery desires the
approval and endorsement of the
people, be must keep before him that
slogan of old "The Union, the Con-
stitution, end the enforcement Of the
lairs.r
Our confreres over the river are
indignant at the determination OF
the powers that be to hold the extra
session Of the General Assembly in
New Orleans, away from the constl-
tutional seat of government, and we
join in the Indignation. Cm bono
An excellent excuse is offered for this
move and they are bound to avail
themselvesof it. Those New Orleans
men, everybody knew, would die
hard--wouldonly give up when they
could no longer hold, The reason
assigned for violating the constitu-
tion is that the State House is not fit
to hold II session therein !! Mirabik
dictu. We have heard competent
men say that the building could be
put in order sufficient to accommo.
ldate any body of men who were viii
Hing to be accommodated, and who
were not of the kid glove order, and
we believe it. Now, there is one
point that rises above all others il
this connection, and it is well to bt
examined into by our legislators be-
fore plunging into inextricable con
fusion, and that is, srill their acts I,
New Orleans DC legaEg-Remembe1
THAT Baton Rouge is the seat Of gov
eminent and all legislative business
must be transacted there to make i
legal! No provisos were inserted il
the constitution, nor any provision
made for contingencies. How arr
these points to be got over BY th'
wiseacres in New Orleansg We be
lieve our Governor to be man o
excellent Judgment and wise deter
mination, but for once, we think Ii
has overstepped the bounds of mod
Grafton. Thinkagain, Governor, an,
perhaps you may recall your frs
opinion Sugar Planter.
We fully agree with the CAPITo
LIAM and the Advocate as to the stu
alton of the capital city ofLouisiana
Baton Rouge is the seat Of govern
ment, and there the legislature shoul
meet. II the State House could nc
be ready tor the first Monday in De
cember, it might have been for Janu
ary, and we think it unconstitutiona
for the legislature to pass an appro
priation bill before 1882. Appropri
ations have been made for 1880 an
1881, and the constitution limits thes
appropriations to two years. Ho'
then can the extra session legally az
propriate money in December, 1881
January would have been more col
venient for the country members, an
had the Governor waited until ths
time, the legislators might have al
sembled in Baton Rouge, and give
twenty days of honest work to Il
State. As it is, they will meet
New Orleans, the time will be fri
, tered away, and no legislation a.
, complished. Is the will Of the peop
to be forever disregarded, and Il
| mandates of the constitution forevt
avoided Poor Louisiana sutfert
: enough in this respect under Radio
Y misrule, but we mustsay that we ~
1 little improvement since the goveri
ment passed into other hands. -Fel
ciana Sentinel.
The extra session of the Legisl
d ture should be held in Baton Roue
If the State House cannot be mat
ready, then the U. S. Barracks cou
! be made to answer. Clinton Patric
: Democrat.
e| The extra session will convene
o Baton Rouge, if the State House
!. fit Tor occupation by the time {
: :. body comes together--if the Sta
% House will not be sufficiently repai
ed to accommodate the Legislatul
10 the extra session will be held in Ne
'f Orleans. We trust the extra sessi
o will be convened at Baton Rouge
II that the Legislators may give tb'
; entire attention to revising such ie
). islation as will be of benefit to
,, people of the State. claiborne Gu;
:. dian.
"a Experience has always shown til
d it takes at least week for an ayI
r. age member to get fairly settled
his seat, and in a fit condition to ia
an interest in public affairs. and
IN inconsideyable time then left will
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