The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1896-06-17
Full Text of the Bill for a Constr.
tutiOnal Convention.

II tbO HuNStiOh VI ~
tl0uaI convention is the most I'm
D ,rtant issue now agitating the
public mind, We publish, the bill
which has been prepared by the
committee of fifteen aid will prob
ably be adopted by the legislature
without material change or nodlh-
cation. 1t will be seen that we are
sustained in our contention that Il
constitutional convention cannot
be limited by legislative action, as
The whole matter has been referred
to the people for final decision.
The following is the full text Of the
uill, which meets with our unqual-
flied approval:
AN ACT providing for he sahmiS-
sion to the people OF il PROPOSE
ton TO hold a convention at Il
designated time and place, for
the purpose of framing and put
ting into effect IL new cOnstltu-
ton; to tx the powers I'll the
said convention; to provide for
the election Of delegates thereto;
and to make an appropriation
to letray the expenses thereof.
Section /. BE it enacted hy the
general assembly of the State Of
Louisiana, That there shall be
submitted to the duly qualified
electors of the State, at an election
To be held OH the second Tuesday
OF January, 1898 for their APPROX
al Or FRICTION, Il proposition to
hold Il convention to frame a con-
s1itu'ion for the State upon the
following terms and CONDITIONS,
to-wii:
First-Tlc said convention shall
be held in the city of New Orleans,
en- the second Tuesday Of fe5rua'
ry, 1898.
Second-The said convention
shall consist Of 1874 delegates, OF
whom 50 shall he elected from the
parishes and representative dis
tricts, as now provided for IN the
representa- alton in the house OF re.
p; esentatives, and thirty six shall
bc elected from the State at large.
Thiul-The said convention shall
have full power to frame and adopt
without submission to the people
Il new constitution for the State
provided, however, that the sald
convention shall be and is hereby
prohibited from enaciIug, 0rda!n
ing or framing amy article OF ordl
nance:
A. Whereby tile hende | indebt
edlleSs of the State, or OF amy pa
rechi,.l, municipal, lsvee "r other
political corporation thereof sha!
he affected, or the principal Or iii
trrest thereof rcmi'ted, reduced
suspended or abolished, Withhold
the consent of the holders vi sucl
bonds or security.
=. Whereby the rate of taxation
as now limited by the consiitut'ol
shall be changed.
G. Whereby The levee system &;
now organized un,ler and by vir
tue Of articles 2i3 to &c, inciu
sive, and go Of the present consti
tuition and the laws enacted iii pul
suauce thereof shall he altered
amended Or affected.
b. Whereby the terms Of oi1ic
Of any Of the present State, paro
chial, district or municipal officers
whether elected or appointed.
shall be reduced or shortened, 0
The salary thereof reduced or di
unfinished prior TO the first Tues
day after the third Monday Q
April, 1900.
f.. Whereby the Offices Of Chic
Justice and Associate Justices G
the Supreme Court shall be mad
elective, or whereby the terms Z
Office of the then incumbents sha1
be shortened or their salaries d
minished.
L. Whereby the present const
tntional prohibition Of Iotterie
shall he changed, altered q
, amended
Sec. 9. Be it further enacted
tc.. That the said election sha
DO held under and the result pull
lishel ia accordance with the the
\ existing election laws of the STATE
=. and all q, " qualified electors Ill
der the then existing laws shall |
entitled to vote at the said ele,
ton in their respective electio
: districts. That ali electors in Fl
vor of said proposal. III shall vol
! ''for a constitutional CONVENTION
!. accordance with act AT 1896
and all opposed to The said ,rop
si'ion shall vote against a Coz 81
tuiional convention in accordan,
d with act No. - Of 1896"
See. 3. Be it further cnaetc,
J., etc, That on the same day and ;
the same time there shall be be-
an election Of delegates to the pr
Il posed convention, apportioned ;
s above provided, and if Il majnrij
Of the votes cast be in favor OF II