The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-01-13
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION.

/ L .
Jan. 9th. at Baton. Rouge, and an
nounced the fact that they woul6
| sit WITH CLOSED DOORS, and Civ.
only to the public through theil
secretary, the results of their SEES
sions, or such part of them as they
| would choose.
We think it very unwise for the
Commission to have taken such q
stand. Amendments to the Consti
tuition are a serious matter, and the
Commission charged with the task
of studying and proposing these
amendments, should from the start
give to the press free access to their
sessions SO that the public at large
may know what they are doing, and
especially why they are doing it.
We doubt not, for moment, the
ability of the Commission, but il
would certainly be wiser on their
part to let the entire proceedings
come up before the public. with
their individual reasons, their yeas
and nays, as their judgments did
think best. The public, meantime,
and especially the Legislators would
be given ample time, before the
Legislature meets, to weigh the
matter, to examine whether public
good should demand such amend
ments or not, and thus nothing
would be done blindly.
The Legislators, it is true,
throughout the State, will follow
closely the proceedings of the Com
mission. ana have some idea Of the
work before them when they reach
Baton Rouge, but their work would
have been shortened by half, had
they had at home to help them the
| detailed work of the Commission, on
the principle that "two eyes see
better than one"
We consider The matter so i'm
portant that we open our columns
to free discussion of the points
adopted by the Commission, hoping
that those among us, who are able
to discuss these matters, will give
the public the benefit of their ideas
on the subject.
Such points, for instance as the
following that have already been
adopted and will be recommended
by the Commission, should be freely
discussed before the Legislature
meets.
1st. The poll tax to be not less
than 81 SO, nor more than $500.
2nd. The extension of the home
stead privilege from $1,000 to
$1,000.
3rd. The exemption from SEIZURE
Of household effects to- ths amount
of $500.
4th. The advisability of having
seven judges of the Supreme Court,
who could, if necessary, form two
courts.
9Th. The extention of the juris-
diction of the Justices of the peace
to cases involving 5000; also to the
trial of misdemeanours, with the aid
Of jury composed of five free
holders.
9th. The advisability to abolish
the. lease system of convicts, after
the present lease expires, and TO en-
ploy them on public works, levees,
for instance, under the supervision
Of the State.
We say nothing of the abolition
of the Circuit Court, for everybody
recognizes the fact that it is fifth
wheel to the Judiciary coach and
should be abolished.
The other points mentioned above
are very important, as every one
sees at a glance, and we sincerely
hope that those of our citizens, who
ought and should take interest in
these matters and are able to discuss
them intelligently, as we know
many of them are, will give to the
public in our columns the benefit of
their ideas SO that our Representa-
tive may know thoroughly the
public sentiment and act according
ly.
The Bonnet Care leyee will cost