St. Landry democrat., 1883-12-29

or should sign joint resolution pr0pos-.
ing constitutional amendment abolish
ing and prohibiting all lotteries in the
State forever.
That the employment OF convicts out
side the walls of the Penitentiary is det-
rlmental to the interests of the honest
labor portion of the citizens OF our
State, and to the proper care and custo-
dy OF the convicts themselves, subject
ing, them to hard and cruel treatment,
and enhancing their opportunities OF
escape; that it brings this species of
slave labor in competition with honest
industry, to the great pecuniary profit
OF the penltentialy lessee, but with dis
astrous results as far as the honest free
labor of our State is concerned.
There was
A LENGTHY DEBATE
on the reports of the Platform Commit
tee..
Mr.. Stone, of East Feliciana, attacked
the majority report and commented Sc
verely on certain acts Of the Democratic
administration, such as the land grab,
penltentlary lease, the fees paid to law
yers employed by the State and the
question OF the Lottery Company's po-
litical influence. He charged that a
Democratic minority in the last Legis-
ature had allied itself with Republicans
in the interest of the Lottery Company.
III. W. Ogden, OF Bossier, pronounced
it false that he had been bribed to vote
against granting charters to new lot
terry companies.
This caused quite scene. Mr.. Stone
denied any offensive reference to Og-
hve INC1S of Yc
integrity. Mr.. Ogden withdrew the
words he had applied to Mr.. Stone, and
explained his course in relation to lot
teries.
G. A. Breaux, E. A. Burke and others
replied to Mr.. Stone, the former ex-
planning his connection with the land
cases brought on behalf of the State be-
fore the Supreme Court of the United
States, and the latter seeking to vindi-
cate McEnery and the administration
from the charges which Mr.. Stone had
made.
Amendments to the reports tnexpress
the sense OF the Convention in regard
to lotteries and the necessity for their
abolition were offered and discussed.
Mr.. McCaleb, of Orleans, moved to
adopt the minority instead of the major
ity report
| : N I = S
Mr.. Hunter, of Rapides, moved as a
substitute the resolutions adopted hy
the Rapides meeting. condemning the
lottery. and insisting that the next Leg
islature should take means for its sup
preston it ordinary legal means are
found inadequate. This substitute was
tabled-yeas s161, nays 1861.
The discussion upon the platform
continuing, Mr.. Hunter. of Rapides.
moved an adjournment sine die. Lost
nays SIG, yeas 46.
The question reverted upon the
offered by Boatner. of Ouachita, for
both the majority and minority reports.
This was as follows:
We declare our hostility to the entire
principle of lottery dealings. The con-
stitntion declares gambling to he vice,
vet it encourages that vice in it's worst
form, not only melting to breaches of
faith and embezzlement in the effort to
get rich on the turn of the wheel, but
demoraliziug society, cnrrupting politics
and impeding legislation; and we de-
mand that the Legislature to be chosen
at the ensuing election shall enact such
legal measures as are necessary for their
suppression.
Resolred, That the convict labor of
the State should be appropriated and
assigned to labor on the public levees,
under the direction and control of the
State authorities. by such legislation as
may be necessary.
Mr.. Boatner moved the previous ques-
ton, and the substitute was adopted
yeas 1913 7-12, nays 139 5-12.
Mr.. Boatner then moved the adoption
of the majority report on platform as
question. This was declared carried
amid great confusion, without any vote
being taken.
Mr.. Marston, of Red River, demanded
an opportunity to offer other amend
ments to the platform, which being de-
MED, he said he u5uld not accept such a
platform and withdrew from the hall in
disgust.
The majority report on platform, with
Boatner's lottery amendment, was
adopted bv the votes of the McEnery
faction. Yeas a36, nays 81. blank 66.
Mr.. Jastremski, of East Baton Rouge,
offered resolution providing that the
STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
he comp5sed of fifteen members from
pe,he State at large, to be appointed by
the chairman of the Convention, one
delegate from each parish of the State,
and one from each ward in the parish
of Orleans. Adopted.
At 1890 the Convention adjourned
sine die.
Remove the greed for wealth from
the breasts Of men and they would in