St. Landry democrat., 1881-01-29
The Present Constitution.
f, NEW CONVENTION OR AMEND
MENTS.
Lafayette AdvertiSer.i

over or it's defects remedied by de-
precating political agitation or ask
ING for rest and quiet. Such are
the invariabIe arguments Of those
opposed to advancement and real
reform in its highest sense. Every
GREAT reform or advance in political
Science, the repeal of the corn laws,
free trade, the law reforms, the
land titles act under the English
Government we're all carried over
the objections Of the rich and
powerful Tories.
So in Louisiana, today, is there
a strong party who are opposed to
any change even for the better, who
use the Troyarguments and appeals
of hundred years agone. It is fool.
ish and vain to declare that good
which makes sensible man blush
to look upon.
Some of the country press ask
for a bill of particulars against the
present constitution. Why, an in
dictment against it could be framed
with hundred courts, every one
of which, in the court of practical
common sense, would support the
punishment OF immediate destruc-
tion.. First. 1t can hardly said to
be written in the English language.
Its style puts to open shame the
richness and flexibility of our Ian
guage, and makes ones flesh creep
to read it. Secondly. In its arti-
cles on the Legislative Department
it openly proclaims that in the
judgment of its trainers, Louisiana
would never again be blessed with
honest legislatures. In its theory
it puts forth the charge that Lou,
isiana is 50 vile and corrupt that no
good can come of her people. Third.
While apparently putting wholesale
restrictions Oh corporations and
abolishing monopolies it does neither
the one nor the other. Fourth. It
has reversed the theory it proponnds
of Democracy and in its Judiciary
makes the judges of the appellate
courts appointees and elects by the
people those judges whose decisions
are to be reviewed. 1t has afforded
no relief to the suitors in the eu.
preme Court whose docket is more
than two years behind. 1t inau.
guratcs system of circuit courts
of appeals which is neither symme-
trical nor useful, butin reality cum.
bersome and expensive-and it is
charged was created for the benefit
of thelawyers in search ofsoft places.
The whole instrument is wanting
in elasticity and provisions for the
growth and future development OF
the State and seems to breath out
the absurd idea that a government
can be constructed that would be
automactic in it's operation. This
is not all, turn to the question Of
finance.
The-tweive Circuit Judges could
be dispensed with and fifty thous
and dollars per anunm saved.
The attempted settlement of the
State debt has involved large ex
pense which must continue, when in
reality no settlement or adjust
ment is made
The abolition of the office of Re
corder and the transferring of his
powers and emoluments to the Clerk
was in the opposite direction tc
reform.
The affairs of the City Of New
Orleans are left condition of chaos
The attempt to establish a graded
license system absurd, and the pro
visions relative to taxation almost
farcical .
The pitifully poor provisions fol
public education are in the inverse
ratio to the need Of the same.
Now some OF these defects nigh,
be, remedied in some degree by leg
islation but the constitution itsel1
prevents that. There are some
provisions which show wisdom
foresight and real craftsmanship
The, question for us now to talk
of and think about is whether we
can best keep the good and get
rid of the bad, by a new convention,
or by amendments by the General
Assembly. It is no longer criminal
for men to seek to improve their
governments and advance in real
civilization.
We learn, on excellent authority
from Washington, that an amend.
mentto the constitution authorizing
suits to be brought in the Federal
courts to compel States Of the In
ion to pay their debts, will be very
soon introduced in Congress. Il
has been drafted by Judge Loeb
rane, of Georgia, and received the
Endorsement of some of the leading
constitutional lawyers of the coun
try. Our informant, himself 8
leader in Congress and a lawyer oil
eminence, believes that the New
Ham, Hire case against Louisiana
must ;1a.. and that its fair y will
do much to create q public sylti
ment favorable to an extension Of
judicial authority to cover such
suits in the future. He is of the
opinion that the amendment will
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