The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1897-11-27
TED.
EDITOR SFNrINEL.

EDilCK SFNTINEI.
A. this Parish il abont to select
candidates I" represent her III the
coming constitutional convention, it
il important to determine who shall
be the delegates. In my %opinion, it
ia necessary that we should cl,oose
the very hest talent to represent us
regardless of personal or geographical
considerations. This il not "A ras.
when representation should b. given
to various portions Of the parish. as ID
the case of other officers. In other
words, the question ni giving the up
per part Of the parish and the lower
part each one delegate should cut M
figure in this matter, but we should
elect men who shall ill the require
ments for delegates, regardless of
where they live.
In my opinion, we should send to
represent us, able and well inform ed
lawyers and no one else. Let It be
remembered, that the constitutional
convention will be called upon to
frame an entirely new judiciary sys-
tenn, and that the framing of this sys
TEN is one of the chief reasons for
convoking the convention. Now, what
does a laymau, no matter how %intelli-
gent and able in other respects. know
about a Judiciary system that will
meet the requirements of our State Z
What does a man, who is not versed
in the law know what jurisdiction
should be given to the Supreme Court,
for instance when the ordinary citizen
has never seen that exalted tribunal
in session, aud has not the slightest
notion Of what the Justices have TO do
or what power they should havef
What does a layman know should he
er to retain the Circnit Court or TO
abolish it, or what to substitute for
that court, or whether it is an advan-
tage to have Parish Courts, or only
Districts Courts, and whether we
should do away with the cumbersome
and expensive system Of trying all
cases before a Jury, or whether the
vestiDg of jurisd ction to try petty
offenses could be safely lodged in JUS
tice courts, and whether that would,
or would not be ia conflict with the
constitution of the United States
How many men, however well-read
they may be on other subjects have
even read the Constitution OF the
Stste, aud of the United States. and
how many, eve who have read it, are
competent to say that they understand
Its every provision and are in a posi-,
ton to say what particular articles
naad aJ,apXna ~. pa nissan
When II man wishes to build u cost
~ residence, fitted with all the mod
ern improvements, he employs an
architect, and does not engage Il sim
pie carpenter to draw the plan. Now
in this matter Of constitution making,
the delegates chosen to represent us
will be called uran 10 draw thu plan
or framework at our whole system of
taxation, judiciary, elections, educa-
ton, homestead exemptions, etc. and
Til. mtn to establish our frame work
of our State government should be
thoroughly versed in law, and should
be competent to Iise in their places
aii.i, on every great questions submit
ted for consideration express their
views in powerful and convincing ar
gnments. If we desire simply men to
represent rs, who will vote as others
tell them to vote, then, let US send any
one who is willing to 60, but, if we
have a little pride in seeing our par
Ish represented as well as other par
isles who are going to select their
very best legal talent then let US in
vite the services OF some Of our local
bar.
We hope that no n will have the
temerity to propose himself as a can
didate who is not a lawyer. 1t may
be difficult to secure the consent Of
two lawyers in active practice to sac
rifice their time aud business interests
in the cause OF good govern ment but,
ut least let Us make an effort to induce
two good lawyers to represent us IN
the constitutional convention.
LOCKPORT.