The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1904-10-22
The Constitutional Amendments.

paid several hundred dollars each for
printing the proposed amendments TIC
the state constitution to be voted or
at next months election, We have
deemed it a matter Of sufficient interest
to our readers who have a voice in the
adoption or rejection of these meas
ures TO publish ut our own expense
the full and official text of the acts OF
the general assembly of 1904 propos-
ing changes in the organic law OF
Louisiana. During the past four weeks,
therefore, uearly page and a half Of
each issue of The Chief has been de-
voted to this publication, and the
final insertion will be given today.
Notwithstanding the presumption
that most of our voting readers have
read the proposed amendments and
formed conclusions as to which ones
should be adopted and which rejected,
we take the liberty Of presenting a
brief synopsis of the character and pur-
poses OF the measures, together with
an expression of our own opinions on
the subject of the advisa bility Of their
approval or rejection respectively.
There are fifteen OF the amend atory
propositions, and we shall consider
them In the order Of their passage and
PRONUNCIATION.
The first is act No. IL, proposing to
amend article 255 of the constitution
SO as to remove the Limitation on APP
propri ations for the maintenance and
support of the Louisiana State Uni
versity. No objection has been made
to this measure, SO far as our obser-
walton has extended, and it ought to
be adopted.
The second is act No. Is, providing
for the exemption from taxation for
ten years of all railroads constructed
subsequently to January 1, 1905.
Little opposition to this amendment
has been evinced, while various or
ganizations throughout the state, in
Guiding our own Ascension Club, have
joined in what appears to be general
demand for its approval. We shall
vote for it.
The third is act No is, proposing to
dulCAu AIptClC GCO vi bAG GGlSUluuplOA
in favor of the Louisiana Industrial
Institute at Ruston in the same man
ner article 255 is sought to be amended
in the State University's favor. The
amendment ought to be adopted.
The fourth is act No. 20, proposing
to amend article 100 of the constitu-
ton, appertalning to the jurisdiction
of district courts. No objection has
been offered to this measure, we be-
lieve, and it will doubtless be adopted
without serious opposition.
The fifth is act No. 80, proposing to
amend article 46 of the constitution so
as to authorize the general assembly
to issue and direct the disposition Of
one million dollars Of state bonds in
aid OF the states system OF public edu-
cation. This measure has been more
thoroughly discussed than any of the
others, and our readers have had FREE
quent occasion 30 familiarize them
selves with the grave objections urged
to it's adoption. The ends sought TO
be accomplished by this bond scheme
can be better secured by means less
anerous and obnoxious, and the
amendment should be voted down.
The sixth il act No. 112, proposing
to amend article SOB of the constitution
so as to permit the increase of Com
feder ate veterans pensions to a maxi
mum OF So per month. Every voter in
the state ought to support it.
The seventh is act No. l23, propos-
ing to amend article 249 so as to in-
crease the yearly salary Of the state
superintendent of puplic education
from $4,000 to $4,000. Some objection
has been made to this measure. but We
favor it's adoption. The increase is a
small one, and the present salary is
the Office and the amount of labor inn
posed upon it's incumbent. Only the
best educational talent should be en-
ployed in thfa position, and the best
Is not always to be obtained for
salary.
The eighth is act No. 132. proposing
so amend articles SO, SO, 100, Jos and
131, and TO repeal article 105, relative
10 the judiciary department. This is
the measure by which tits sought to
perpetuate that fifth wheel to our Judi
eial coach-the court OF appeal. This
question has been generally discussed,
and we shall be disappointed if the
voters Of this state don't sit down upon
it hard and kill it very dead. These
courts are a useless burden upon the
fax payers and there is no better
reason for their continuance than to
provide easy berths for judges who are
selected with more reg ard to political
pub than legal ability, and for whose
services there is no real necessity.
The ninth is act No. 1874, proposing
% amend article 81 SO as to increase
The salary of the attorney general from
$1,000 to $4,000 a year. The incidental
expenses OF the attorney general are
'aid to be much larger than those of
he other state officers, with the pos
'ible exception Of the governor, and
We are disposed to favor the amend
nenb.
The tenth is act No. 1877, proposing
o amend articles Sc, 81, So and 95,
elative to the judiciary department, |
md providing for the election Of the |
Justices of the supreme court. This is
n the line OF reducing the enormous |
patronage Of the governor and rele- T
rating to the people the right to elect |
heir officials. It ought to 60 through |
With whoop.
The eleventh is act No. 1873, propos-
ng TO amend article l19 so as to pro-
ide for filing vacancies in the Office
i sheriff by special election. For the
anne reason cited in favor Of the tenth
mendment, this one ought to pass
rithout opposition.
The twelfth is act No. 149, proposing
) amend article 124 so as to ELL va
ancies in the Office of clerk of court
y special election. This is similar TO
ne eleventh amendment and should be
dopted.
The thirteenth is act No. 40, pro-
osing to amend article 125 so as to