St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1894-01-13
The Police Jury Case,

The Circuit Court Of Appeals, at its
recent sitting in this place, came down
on the Governors supelerogati0n in
welding the executive guillotine " ike
a wolf on the fold" To say that the
decision is extremely gratifying to a
great majority OF orr people, is the very
midest form CT expression.
The law under which the Gnvernor
makes appointments of police Jurors is
to us simply odious. We appreciate the
circumstances which induced the Legis-
iature to take the election of them FROM
the people, but We have been long since
disembarrasscd of all impodiments to
white supremacy, and the alternative of
an oligarchic rule in lieu Of race d0mi-
nation in some OF the parishes has be-
come as dIstastcful as the evil was from
which we sought refuge.
We understand this to be lightfulIy
government Of the people, by the peo
pie and for the people, aud not one for
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of politicians Of
factional ambition and selfish poclivi-
ties. 1t is infinitely pleasing to realize
that the people have a refuge from the
dangers of executive usnrpation behind
the constitutional authority Of the
courts, and to know that these have the
non partisan fairness and courage to
say to the Governor whenever he ven
lures beyond the letter of the law, Halt. |
Tie opinion read by Judge Biackman
in the police jury case can he found in |
our issue of to-day and siloItld be lead !
by every one. We think his exposition .
Of the law is clear and his reasoning ,
conclusive as to the legal authority of
the Governor. His legal right to ap-
point police jurors was intended to sub
stitute the right of the voters to elect |
them. If, therefore, the law as to the
mode Of their creation had not been
could the voters have remov-
ID, after eiecting them, without the Cfi-
.iaI aid OF the courts 2 If not, why
should the Governor be able to do it
lnder the same law The Constitution
Art Coils lis much lis law in such
case as it is of the voters. 1t says that
for nonfeasance Or mMlteasance in Of
ice, for lucOmpetcGcy, corruption fa-
7orltism, extortlon or oppression in Of
ice, or for gross misconduct or habitual
district attorneys, clerks
# court, sheriitH, cnruuera, recorders,
Justices of the peace and ali other parish
fficers and municipal and ward officers
hall be removed by Judgment Of the
District Court" etc.
Under Act No. 81 OF 1877, sec. 3, each
olice jury ward elected its member of
hat body. This being fact, it follows
hat the Legislature constituted him a
'ard officer. AS thus created the Gov ,
rnOr had no power over him, and the ;
Durts alone could depose him. For sat {
factory reasons the Legislature subse- .
uently ordained that he shonid be ap-
Ointed in lieu of being elected. How {
)uld this be construed so as to mean
lat the Legislature intended thereby to i
west the District Court OF all jurisdic- c
on over him, in direct contravention
the express language and meaning of [
rt. 201 of the Constitution
Thus we clearly perceive that IN -fha
tempt to arbitrarily repdove Nessrs r
oagni, Guidry and Dup1e from the no.
,e jury of St. Landry, the Goyernor
,urped the constitutional power and
lthority Of the District Court, and that
Q without the shadow of a Cause. 8
What next? q