The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-11-03
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CON
VENTiON.
BY JUDGE W. T. BLACkMAN.

Tn the earlier discussion of this
question there were many who en-
tertained doubt of the authority
of the Legislature, to restrict or
limit the sovereignty of the people
in any way in the framing Of their
organic law; many who doubted
that the Legislature could require
an oath from the delegates elected
to abide by the limitations con-
tanned in the enabling act calling
the convention. These questions
have been settled in the public
mind, or at least the thinking pOr.
ton Of the people, in the affirma-
tive, and the power Of the Leglsla-
ture to pass the act, binding on all
the delegates as it does, is, in my
opinion, no longer an open ques-
ton. There are many precedents
for it, however doubtful the policy,
of curtaiIrg the sovereignty of the
people that form the body polite
of the State. We are compelled
to vote for the convention with
the limitations, or simply vote
against it, aud the question for
consideration is, had the people
Of Louisiana better avail them
selves at this time Of this opportu-
nifty of settling the important Ques-
tion Of suffrage and making other
essential reforms, or suffer the
evils in government we have. 1t
is my Judgment that unless the
convention is called we will go
from bad to worse until almost ev-
cry parish in the State will witness
a repetition of the scenes in St.
Landry parish at the last election.
The white vote of. this State is al
ready divided, aud the opposition
to the Democratic party will grow
stronger at each succeeding cleo
ton, and unless the negro vote is
largely diminished by some just
qualification of suffrage, there will
in the course of time te disrepu.
table scramble for this vote, aud
corrupt methods. will PREVAIL
There is a class of men WHO oppose
the convention for this reason;
they urge there is no necessity for
it under the present registration
and election laws. These laws,
admitting the constitutionality OF
the registration law, are subject
at any time to be changed or re-
pcalrl by the Legislature, and the
question of suffrage is then left
entirely to the legislative will.
The party or faction in power
could make it mach more stringent
or repeal it altogether and return
again to manhood suffrage as it
existed before the enactment OF
The present registration law
Thus, there would be no stability
in the government, and such a
condition Of atairs would lead to
great confusion and dissatisfaction
no one knowing what restlic.
tons each Legislature would place
Oh his right to vote.
There are some who oppose The
convention because they are afraid
that the Same will be controlled
by corporations and political
syndicate that has some ul,eriol
object in view and some huge jot
10 carry through, without notice
10 the people au:i without theil
consent.
The people are !he source of ali
power; they elect the delegates,
and certaialy there are competent
and honest uen in every parish to
fll the positions, if he people take
an interest in TIE election aud see
that 10 cue is elected in whom
they cannot repose perfect conf,
dence. Before they support any
man for the convention let them
demand u declaration on his part
DIS to how he stands on the SUI.
irage question, the regulation OF
railroad corporations by a commits.
sion that will regulate freigh,s
and give protection to the produ.
GERS aud shippers.
Let the candidate state whether
he will favor the suppression OF
trusts and combines, in all classes
of business, and whether he is in
favor OF suppressing all gambling
in futures, that affect agricultural
products. let him state if he will
favor d clause in the Constitution
which Will prevent usury, direct
Or Indirect. Let him state how he
stands on the question Of a home.
stead. Let him state his position
on the school question, whether
be favors liberal provision fnl
the public schools, where the
MASSES may receive ii substantial
education chat will prepare the
rising generation for the intelIi.
gent exercise of the ballot. Let
him state whether he favors ex
tending the right of suffrage to
women to vote, on questions OF
taxation affecting their property
| There are other serious and i'm
portaur questions, and none NOR.