The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-08-25
A Constitutional Committee.

A Constitutional Committee.
From the New Orleans States.]
Slowly but surely the fact that Chi
Constitution of 1879 is miserably
bungled failure, is growing upon the
public mind. We were satisfied tina,
such was the case before its adoption
and voted against it. We have neve,
believed that the constitution of 1878
would stand for any considerable
period Of time, and the people are
gradually coming to the conclusion
that another and better organic law
must be framed.
In another column we reproduce
an article from the West Baton
Rouge Sugar Planter, based on some
recent comments Of this paper on
an article of the Monroe Bulletin,
which seems to voice the views of a
large, wealthy and influential portion
OF the people of Louisiana. The
Sugar Planter is published in a dis.
trict purely agricultural, and where
there are, perhaps, fewer than in
almost any other parish so-called po-
litical interests to subserve. That
paper, we believe, gives expression
to the opinions of a very substan-
tiaI class of our citizens.
In addition to the views of the
Sugar Planter we herewith present
the comments of the Madison Jour
nal, based on and endorsing the ar
ticle ofthe Monroe Bulletin above
referred to, advocating a new con.
stitution.
The following is the article Of the
Madison Journal:
We were very much interested in
an article in the Monroe Bulletin,
July 6, commenting upon our new
constitution. We fully agree with
the Bulletin, that the new constitu-
ton has proved an utter failure, and
that it would be next to an impossi-
bility to patch it up by amendments.
We were in favor of amending the
constitution Of 1865, and were op-
posed to q constitutional convention,
for fear that the result would be lust
as it has turned out. We cannot see
how things could be improved
though by another constitutional
convention, because it would be
of about the same materi-
n as the former, and hence we could
expect no great Improvement, but
would likely make matters worse.
We can see but one practical way
20 get good constitution, and that |
e this: Let the legislature pass an
act authorizing the governor to APP
point, by and with the consent of |
he senate, say one Of the ablest men |
rom each senatorial district, whose |
inty it shall be, TO meet, and within |
given time frame q constitution, |
which shall be submitted to the peo. |
pie for this ratification.
In this way we would be pretty |
'ure Of getting the ablest men; they
you'd take things cool, and 20
about their work with method and /
And with the new
constitutions in the other States be-
ore them would, we doubt not, frame
constitution suitable, and which
V0uld give general satisfaction.
As to the necessity of a new con-
titution, advocated by the Monroe
sulletin, the West Baton Rouge
'ugar Planter and the Madison
ournal, we fully concur. But to
be plan Of the latter paper, of a
ommittee appointed by the Cover
or to frame such a constitution, we
an never give our assent.
The patronage and power now at
be disposal Of the Governor are far
reater than they ought to be, and
} place in his hands the right to
ppoint q committee to frame con.
Eitution would be simply to empow-
: him to organize and perpetuate a
ng government.
Our Madison contemporary is mis-
sken, we think, in assuming that a | j
etter convention than that Of 1879 /.
m not be selected. Since that IA
'ous body adjourned the people
ave learned a great deal and no
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