The Louisiana populist., 1897-10-15
FRIDAY, October IS, 1897.
SkRil We Hold q COns1iiutiOnos
Convention I?


The above question is one that
we would gladly answer in the af-
frmatiye if it we're submitted with
out any frills or furbelows, hut
under the restrictions which are
thrown around it VIC can not feel
that any man can preserve his
nanhood and endorse it.
No legislator has any power to
pass laws having in view the lessen
ing of the powers of the people.
The Constitution was made to pro-
tect the rights of the people and to
limit the acts of the Legislature and
courts within certain bounds, and
any act of ei'her Legislature or
court that exceeds the limits laid
down in that instrument is nothing
but usurpation.
When that body-the legislature
proposed a limited constitutional
convention, and proposed for the
constitution made by that body,
without resabmission to the people
to become the organic law, it usurp-
ed power it did not possess, and
attempts a political scheme that
should forever damn it's authors
and supporters in tho eyes of evo-
ry citizen of the State who has q
spark Of the love Of liberty left
in his breast after the five years of
submission to political despotism.
Even if it were possible to get
a majority of the number that
would compose that body, to be OF
the most enlightened and broad
minded men, it is not safe to trust
tham to create a body Of laws that
mast stand for years without the
consent of the people first being
had.
There are too many men who will
go to that body as partisans, hay
ing possibly only one we'll defined
object IN view-the perpetuatiol
of their political party and who
have not knowledge of political
economy sufficient to foresee the
effect Of other laws that interested
schemers will introduce under the
most plausible guises. These mer
will give but small attention to the
most serious problems, and permit
dangerous and unlocked for limo
vations on the rights Of the people
Our Statute books are continually
being changed-laws made by one
legislature and repealed by tht
next-which shows the faliability
of men, and should warn US to moi
put too much trust or power in thu
hands Of any one set of men, M
matter how honest and sincere they
may be.
Surely, after series of docter
ings of our registration and cleo
ton laws there is now a law in ex
istence under which q Foster ad
ministration is willing to hold on
honest election. After elminatin.
az much ignorance and misfortune
AZ will be eliminated by the nov
operative registration law and bal
lot law, the present Incumbent
should be willing to trust the worl
OF a Constitutional Convention Il
the referendum Of the people.
Why is it that the powers tha
be, fear the class Of citizens VIII
can vote at the next election. !
they did not intend something tha
is dirty and unfair they would no
be afraid of the voice of the intelli
gent-according to even Foste
defIinitions--citizensf
There is much to be feared Of
party that is in control OF a State
that cannot trust it's work to b
passed ON by the people-afte
having cut off one third Of the to
vi vote, and that the ignoran
sAird.
There is something for the peo
NE to investigate when there is q
much fear Of discussion and action