The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-09-14
AMENDMENTS,

AMENDMENTS,
There seems to be pretty gene
raj concurrence in the public mind
and with a majority of the Louisi-
ana press, that our present State Con-
stitution needs amending. 1t is a
faulty instrument, and that it can
and should be improved on, is a fact
that none will deny. Our late Con-
vention made many spasmodic and
unwise efforts to reform and econo-
mize the civil service.
The merging of the Offices of Re-
corder and Clerk, and Sheriff and
Tax Collector, was done in the inter
est of economy, but the propriety of
the system is questionable. Each of
these offices is an important and dis
tinctive department of the public
service and should be conducted as
such. The State nor the Parishes
paid no salaries to these officials.
Their compensation was made up of
fees obtained from those who had
business to be transacted with them,
and there could be no economy in
uniting their several functions. We
believe, however, that the most seri.
Gus and palpable defect in the Con-
stitution is found IN the Judiciary
system. This department is the
most important branch of the State
government. 1t should be strong,
wise, uncomplicated and as econom-
ical as the public interests will per-
nit. The present Judiciary depart.
ment possesses neither of these char
acteristics. Under it's working, by
reason Of conflicting decisions and
opinions of Judges, as has already
been developed, there will, in a few
years, be no fixed nor proper stan
dard of legal interpretations laid
down by the courts to govern their
rulings upon the law. This objec-
ton, of course, is urged chiefly
against that stupid and superauous
institution called the Circuit or in
termediary Court.
1t is a Court in which only the
poor man is compelled to have his
rights and interests adjusted with.
out resort. Very few litigants of
humble means will be allowed a
hearing before the Supreme Court of
the State. The reason of this is
that poor men rarely have occasion
to sue in the Courts for larger sum
than one thousand dollars, and with
in that limit the doors Of the Su-
preme Court are closed against them.
They cannot have the assistance and
services of the combined wisdom
and ability of the five supreme jud-
gss to vindicats their legal rights.
We have not approved nor taken part
in tae general and underlined denun-
citation of the Constitution of 1879,
nor do we think that instrument so
defective as to need remodeIing at
the hands of another State Conven.
ton.
The point, therefore, most deserv.
ing general discussion by the press
of the State, is not shall the Consti.
tuition be amended, but what manner
of amending is most economical and
practicable.
We know that there is an unmis.
taxable prejudice in the public mind
against Constitutional Conventions,
and it is not likely that another will
be called for many years. Recourse
then should be had to our Legisla-
ture. An extra session will perhaps
be called by the Executive before
the end of the present year, and
then will be an opportune time to
frame and submit TO the people for
ratification a new judiciary system.
No tenure of Office but that Of Cir.
cult Judges should be interrupted.
We are of opinion that few wise,
and necessary changes can readily be
made that would not only quiet the
general dissatisfaction entertained
against the present Constitution but
would be, a substantial benefit to the
Interests Of the public. NJ.
-@os-~>>~~>~-
mo remedy has been found for J
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