Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-11-22
WHAT DO THE RURALs SAY.
where's the Capitol.

|
| We give below some additional ut
terances from our country contempt
raries regarding the retention Of thu
Capital at New Orleans, in contra
vention with the dictates OF the Con.
stitution. 1t will be seen that thes,
opponents of public opinion favor ODE.
dience to the law from the head Of
the government down to the tail end
| Point Coupee Banner; Several Of
our exchanges, and prominently among
them the CApIToLIAN and Advocate, of
Baton Rouge, seriously contend that
the Legislature cannot be legally con.
vened to meet at any other place than
the State Capitol when is Baton Rouge,
except in the case ofinvasion or epidem-
ic, as provided by the constitution. And
holding this opinion they assert that
any act which may be BASED by the
General Assembly at the extra session to
! be held in New Orleans will be uncon-
stitutional, null and void. We are dis
posed to agree with this view of the
question, although we confess that we
have not given 1t very serious considera-
alton. If there Is any doubt about the
legality of the session to be held at New
Orleans, we suggest that as soon as the
legislature assemblies, in obedience to
the Governors proclamation, at New Or
leans, it Immediately adjourn to Baton
Ronge, the constitutional seat of gov
eminent.
Claiborne Guardian: We were not
among those who advocated the calling
OF an extra session, but as it has been
ca led it had as well be held as the law
directs, as in violation of law. The Con
st'tution provides that the sessions of
the Legislature, both regular and spe-
cla', shall be convened at the seat of
government. The same instrument al
so declares that Baton Rouge is the seat
or government. The condition of any
public building can surely have nothing
to do in determining the location of the
Capitol of the state. Baton Rouge is as
much the Capitol to-day as it will be
when the last touch is placed on the
State House. We believe that under
the plain provisions of tho Constitution
the extra session should be convened at
Baton Rouge. To violate the require,
nents of tho Constitution in converting
the Legislature might, and very prob
ably would, nullify the entire proceed
ings of that body. The State Is in no
condition for any such thing to happen
just now. If we are to bear the burden
of an extra session, we want no doubt
to be left about the benefits we are to
receive from it, We believe the Govern
or to be q wise and patriotic man, with
the interest of the whole State at heart.
but We fear he has made mistake in
converting the extra session in New Or
leans, instead of Baton Rouge.
Clinton Patriot Democrat: Baton
Rouge, and not New Orleans, is,the Cap
ital of the State of Louisiana, and Gov.
made sad blunder when lie
issued his proclamation converting
the extra session of the Legislature
in the latter city. He had no more
constitutional right to locate the
next sitting of our law makers where |
he has, that he would to have designa-
ted Clinton or Jackson, for this purpose.
The mere fact that the State House
will not be sufficiently completed for the
December meeting, is no reason why
the constitution should be violated
The U. S. Barracks could have been
made to answer the purpose, or the extra
session might have been called for Jan
uary, and the Capitol sufficiently COM
pleted to have held the sess ion therein.
The close proximity of the Penitentiary,
might have had beneficial effect upon
'ome OF the recreantmember of the Gen.
'ral Assembly. We advise the Governor
20 reconsider the matter, and give Ba-
on Rouge and the constitution what both
IRE justly entitled to. viii he do it, or
viii he not We shall see.
Monroe Bulletin: The country pa
'ers have generally expressed good
wishes for the McEnery administration,
md are, as far as our observation goes,
panied at what they believe
o he a very grievous mistake. The
esson should have been at Baton Rouge
o avoid any question of it's legality. It
$ true that the constitution is as muddy {
n that as any other subject in it, and
nay be interpreted rightly according to I
he wishes of the authority who has it !
a hand. 1t virtually makes the Su-
RENE Court the Constitution of the q
tate. r
Morgan City Free Press: Article num- 9
er $50, of the constitution, desig-
ates the city of Baton Rouge, as