The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-02-11
TIE AMENDMENT COMMISSION.

pie were then clamoring for, and
which they have been clamoring FOX
with increasing loudness ever since,
provides, ssthat the commission
shall be composed of seven mem
bers, two selected by the President
of the senate, from among that
body, three selected by the speaker
from among the members of the
House and two citizens at large to
be selected by the Governor of the
State" Fifteen hundred dollars
has been appropriated to pay the ex-
pense that may be incurred by the
commission, or nearly $2i5 each,
which is not by any means an extra.
VACANT allowance.
We learn that the selections will
be made during the month of Febru-
airy, 40 as to allow the commission
ample time to carefully discharge
the duties that will be incumbent
upon them; which is in the language
of the resolution, ssfor the purpose
of preparing and reporting to the
General Assembly as herein provid-
ed proposed amendments to the con-
stltution of the State"
This duty will be an arduous one
requiring much breath of thought
and experience, particularly in put
ting the amendments, required in
proper shape to be adopted by the
Legislature and thereafter submit
ted to the people.
Among the many things that
need amending constitutionaliy, the
Judiciary, suffrage and almost I'M
limited appointing power of the
Governor, stand out prominently as
requiring immediate attention.
The financial condition of our
State demands that the judiciary
system should be recognized, and
the numerous fifth wheels in that
department dispensed with, while
many other reforms are practicable
that would be more than satisfacto-
ry to the Bench, attorneys and
clients. In truth, the whole system
should be brought down to strict
business basis, where the officials
would render value received in
services for the compensation they
receive. This department is strictly
a matter for the attention of liber-
ally educated judicial minds of
which there seems an ample supply
in our State from which to select
the few commissioners required.
The suffrage situation as far as
the river parishes are concerned, is
the most perplexing one we have to
deal with.
The sudden, arbitrary and politi-
cal Acknowledgement Of the black
man, III the midst of his stolid ignor.
anee, is yet bearing its baneful
fruit, while the Republicans then IN
control of the government, failed
entirely to realize their expectations
in the premises, have left a legacy
of discomfort and dissatisfaction be.
hind them that is very difficult to
dispose of. Indeed this legacy is
the principal stumbling block in the
way of fair elections. 1t gave rise
to the now stereotyped expression,
ga fair election and a free count. y
The black mans right of suffrage
cannot be questioned. The consti-
tuition of the United States has con
fered it on him, right or wrong,
bnt the remedy for the outrageous
evil rests with the States, in proyid-
ing and requiring the necessary
qualifications for the exercise of that
right, let it he educational or other
wise. On the question of amending
the suffrage, the commission will
find its work right here. It's true,
that in the event of an educational
qualification many white persons of
known worth may be debarred the
right of suffrage; it will be their
misfortune, and in some instances
perhaps their own fault; but the des-
perate disease that has attacked the
sacred right of suffrage requires a
desperate remedy, and while the edu
cational requirements suggested may