Louisiana capitolian., 1881-11-15
THE SEAT OF GovERxxENT.
what the Press says Abont II.


Governors inexcusable action in
calling the Legislature in Extra Ses-8
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 strict
observance of the laws.
II Governor McEnery desires the
approval, and endorsement Of the
people, he must keep before him that
slogan Of old. "1hn Union, the Con-
stitutim, and the enforcement Of tho
la,Us."
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 consti-
tutlonal seat Of government, and we
join in the indignation. Cua bono!
An excellent excuse is offered for this
move and they are bound to avail
themselveso it. Those New Orleans
men, everybody knew, would die
hard would only 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 Il session therein Mirabilo
dictu. We have heard competent
men say that the building could be
put in order sufficient to accommo-
date any body Of men who were will
ling 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 in
this connection, and it is we'll to be
examined into by our Legislators be-
fore plunging into inextricable con-
fusion, and that is, pill their acts IN
New Orleans be lcgals-- Remember
that Baton Rouge is the seat of gov
ernment and all legislative business
must be transacted there to make it
legal! No provisos we're inserted in
the constitution, nor any provision
made for contingencies. How are
these points to be got over by the
wiseacps in New Orleans We be-
lieve our Governor to be q man OF
excellent Judgment and wise deter
mination, but for once, we think he
has overstepped the bounds Of mod
Grafton. Think again, Governor, and
perhaps you may recall your first
opinion!-Sugar Planter
We fully agree with the CApITo-
LIAM and the Advocate as to the stu
alton of the capital city Of Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the seat of govern.
ment, and there the legislature should
meet. If the State House could not
be ready for the first Monday in De-
cember, it might have been for Janu.
ary, and we think it unconstitutional
for the Legislature to pass an appro.
priation bill before 1882. Appropri.
ations have been made for 1850 and
1881, and the constitution limits these
appropriations to two years. How
then can the extra session legally ap
propriate money in December, 1881
January would have been more con
venient for the country members, an(
had the Governor waited until tha
time, the legislators might have as
sembled in Baton Rouge, and giver
twenty days of honest work to th'
State. AS it is, they will meet il
New Orleans, tho time will be frit
tered away, aud no legislation ac
complished. Is the will Of the people
to be forever disregarded, and th'
mandates of the constitution foreve,
|avoided? Poor Louisiana suffere,
enough in this respect under Radica
misrule, but we must say that we se'
little Improvement since the govern
ment passed into other hands. Fell
ciana Sentinel.
! The extra session Of the Legisla
ture should be held in Baton Rouge
If the State House cannot be mad
ready, then the y. S. Barracks coul
be made to answer.-Clinton Patriot
Democrat.
i The extra session will convene a
Baton Rouge, if the State House i
fit for occupation by the time th
body comes together--if the Stat
House Will not be sufficiently repai,
ed to accommodate the Legislature
the extra session will be held in Ne,
I Orleans. We trust the extra sessio
} will be convened at Baton Rouge S
: that the legislators may give thei
entire attention to revising such leg
islation as will be Of benefit to th
people of the State.-Claiborne Qua,
dian.
Experience has always shown ths
it takes at least o week for an ayel
age member to get fairly settled i