The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-11-21
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVEX
TON.
Times-Democrat.l

|
Times-Democrat.l
Owing to the far-reaching issues
involved in the presidential cam
paign Just closed, and the intense
feeling naturally engendered over
| their consideration, the question OF
a Constitutional Convention to
frame new organic Law for the
Slate has been somewhat obscured.
Although matters pertaining to
the calling of this convention oc-
cupied much public attention prior
to and during the last session of the
Legislature, there are many persons
who are not familiar with the pro.
visions of the act as finally promu!-
gated calling for its assembling.
An impression prevails III the minds
of.many persons that the convention
has been already called, and that all
that remains for the electors to do
is to select the delegates who are to
compose the body. This is entire
lily erroneous. The first section of
the act under which the convention
is authorized provides "that there
shall be submitted to the duly
qualified electors of the State, at an
election to be held ON the second
Tuesday of January, 1898, for their
approval or rejection, proposition
to hold convention to frame new
Constitution for the State.'e
The act of the Legislature further
provides "that on the same day, and
at the same time, there shall be held
an election of delegates to the pro-
posed convention; and if majority
Of votes cast be IN favor of SAID
proposition, then the delegates who
shall receive plurality of the votes
cast at said election shall compose
the convention" The convention
is to consist of lS4 delegates, 90 OF
whom shall be elected from the
parishes and Representative districts,
as now provided for in the represen
tation of the House of Representa-
tives, and So from the State at large.
The delegates are to meet in the
City of New Orleans, at place to
be designated by the Governor, on
the second Tuesday of February,
1898.
The convention, if it is called by
vote of the people, is given full
power TO frame and adopt a new
Constitution for the State, without
submission to the people, except in
the following particulars, wherein
the convention is prohibited from
enacting or framing any article or
ordinance, and every delegate to the
convention is required to take an
oath that he will obey the hmita-
lions imposed before he is qualified
to act:
With the bonded Indebtedness of
the State, or of any parochial, NUM-.
cipal, levee or other political cor
poration.
With the rate of taxation as now
limited by the Constitution, other
than for the purpose of aid by
parishes ana municipalities to public
schools and public improvements,
upon the approval of the taxpayers
affected by such increase.
With the levee system as now or
ganized under articles 2l3, GA, 2l5,
2l6 and 27o of the present Constitu-
ton and laws enacted in pursuance
thereof.
With the terms of office of the
General Assembly, or any of the
present State, district, parochial or
municipal officers, whether elected
or appointed; nor with the present
salaries of said officers prior to the
first Tuesday after the third Monday
in April, 1900.
With the officers of Chief Justice
and Associate Justices of the
Supreme Court, whereby the terms
of Office of the then incumbentsshall
be shortened or their salaries dimln-
ished, or these positions made cleo
tive.
With the present constitutional
prohibition of lotteries.
With the present law making
Baton Rouge the capital of the
State.
The election will be held under
the existing election law, and the
Chief Justice, or, in his absence,
the senior Justice of the Supreme
Court, will attend the opening Of
the convention and administer the
oath above alluded to and preside
until presiding officer is elected.
The Secretary of State will attend
the opening of the convention and
call the roll of delegates.
Delegates are to be paid SIS per
diem and travelling expenses; but
compensation is limited to seventy
days. The sum of $50, 900 is APP
propriated for the expense of the
convention.