St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-11-21
The CONSTITUTIONAL CON.
vENTION.

pied much public attention prior to
ana during the last session Of che
islature, there are many persons
who are not familiar with the pro-
visions Of the act IS finally promul-
gated calling for its assembling.
An impression prevails in the minds
Vt many persons chat the convention
has been already called, and that
MI that remains for the electors to
do is to select the delegates who are
70 compose the body. This is ea-
lirely erroneous. The first section
VI the act under which the co0ven-
ton is authorized provides ''that
there shall be submitted to the duly
quall6ed electors OF the State, at an
election to be held on the secono
Tuesday Of January, 1898, for their
approval Of rejection, . proposition
to hold y convention to flame q new
Constitution for the State
The act of tue Legislature further
provides THAT on the same DAY,
and 1t the same time, there shall
be held an election Of delegates t.
tue proposed convention; and il >
majority Of votes cast be in favor Of
said proposition, then the delegates
who shall receive . plurality OF the
votes cast ut said election shall COM
pose tue convention" The con-
vention is to consist Of 134 dele
gates, SO Of whom shall be elected
FROM the parishes and Represents
tive districts, rs now provided for
in the representation OF the House
Ut Representatives, and IS from the
State ut large. The delegates ace
70 meet in the City Of New Orleans,
at . place to be designated by tue
Governor, on the second Tuesday
Of February. 1898.
The convention, il it Is called by
= vote Of the people, is given full
power to frame aud adopt \ nex
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 ol
ordinance, and every delegate x
the convention is required to taks
an oath that he will obey the limi'
tations imposed before he is quail
lied to act:
With the bonded indebtedness o.
The State, or any parochisl, munich
pal, levee or other politica; corp0
ration
With the rate Of taxation Is nov
limited by the Constitution. oshel
than for the purpose Of aid b,
parishes aud municipalities to pub
lie schools ana public improve
| ments, upon the approval Of th'
| taxpayers affected by such increase
With the Ievee system a. now or
gained under. articles 2l3, PA
2l5, ZIG 270 Of the present Constr
tuition and laws enacted IN pursu'
ance thereof.
With the terms of Office Of thu
General Assembly, or any Of thu
present St..e. district, paIochial u
municipal officers, whether electet
or appointed; nor with the presen
sAlsries Of said officers prior to tn
6rst Tuesday after the third Mon
day in April, 1900.
With the offices Of Chief Justic
and Associate Justices OF the Su
preme Court. whereby the term
Ut Office Of the then incumbent
shall be shortened or their salarie
diminished, or these positions mad
elective.
With the present constitutions
prohibition Ut lotteries.
With the present law making
Baton Rouge the capitai Of IT,
State.
The election will be held unde
the existing election law. aud tn
Chief Justice, or, in his sbsence
the senior Justice 0: tue Suprem
Court, will attend the opealng Q
the convention aud admlnister th
oath above alluded to and pres.6
until . presiding officer is elected
The Secretary Of State will atsen
the opening 0f the convention an
call the roll OF delegates.
Delegates are to be paid s. pc
diem ana travelling expenses; bu
compensation is limited to sevent
Gays. The sum Of $50, 900 is ap
proprlated for the expenses Of tn
conyeution.--Times Dem0crrt.
Bryan's defeat 10 nothing for bin
to be ashamed Of. A change Of les
than e, 900 votes divided anon,