The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1907-11-02
C. Rlanehard.s Comp D,Etat.

Saturday evening, Gov. Blanchard IS
sued a proclamation converting an ex-
ira session OF the general assembly OF
Louisiana for period OF thirty days, |
commencing at IL O'Clock m. on Mon
day, November II, 1907, and deslg-
mating the following as the objects to
he considered at this special session:
l. Reducing the salaries, fees ana
compensat alton Of existing offices; put
ting officials upon salary basis; ana
covering into the public treasury ices
and perouisites OF Office now enjoyed
by the fncumbents OF such offices. This
to include, if necessary, the proposing
of amendments to the constitution
2. Decreasing the cost OF collecting
and disbursing the revenues OF the
state and it's political subdivisions,
including the cost of assessing prop
erty for purposes OF taxation, and TO
this end, and in connection Herewith,
the abolition of unnecessary offices
and the consolid alton OF existing Of
fees, and, where necessary to accom-
plish this, proposing amendments to
the constitution.
3. Amending the primary election
Law, known as act No. 40 OF 1905, or
enacting new legislation on the same
subject matter.
4. Directing that the public funds be
4
placed on deposit In the solvent bank
or banks within the state Offering the
highest compensation for such depos-
its, and making provision for properly
SAFE guarding the public interests by
having such banks deposit as security
In the state treasury bonds OF the
state, or any political subdivision
thereof, commanding par Or more IN
the open market, equal in amount to
the amount of funds placed on deposit
with such bank or banks, or otherwise.
s. Amending and changing existing
laws SO as to guard more effectualiy
| against defaIeations by those charged
with the collection of the public funds.
s. To provide for the appointment OF
u commission to inquire into aud in
vestigate the conditions at the port OF
New Orleans, with the view of ascer-
tanning wherein lies the difference be-
tween the port charges at New Orleans
| and those of rival ports, and reporting
| what should be done, in fairness to all
| interests, to bring the port charges OF
| the city, affecting It's commerce, to
parity with other Gulf and South At
lauttc ports, and granting to such COM
mission the power to send for persons,
books and papers, and making an ap
preparation TO defray expenses.
I. To authorize the transfer of title
to the United States OF the maritime
quarantine stations and plants, and
the property appurtenant thereto, the
title to which is now vested in the state
OF Louisiana.
s. To enact the necess airy legislation
to carry into effect the constitutional
amendments which may be proposed at
| the extra session.
8. To make an appropriation to meet
the expenses of the extra session; also
to reimburse the fiscal agency banks
for moneys advanced by them to the
state since the general assembly was
last in session; and also to pay the
salaries OF officials created by consti-
tutional amendments proposed, and
legislation enacted, at the session OF
the general assembly in 1906, and for
which no provision for payment was
made.
10. To make application to the con-
gress, under the provisions of article
/ v. of the constitution OF the United
States, to call convention for the
purpose of proposing amendments to
the constitution of the United States,
to the end that an amendment may be
submitted providing for the election Of
United States senators by the direel
vote of the people Of the several states
II IL. To enable the senate to advise
as to all appointments to Office made
by the governor since the senate was
last in session, and to take action or
such appointments.
The governor kept his counsel sc
closely and admitted such select few
to his confidence with reference to the
call for an extra session of the states
lawmakers, that the effect OF his proc
lamation was akin to that of bolt Of
lightning from clear sky, and the
common expression to be heard among
J the citizens of the state Sunday morn
ing was, "What do you think of this
bombshell?n It is generally charged
in Democratic political circles that the
main object which Gov. Blanchard had
in view was not the speedy accomplish
inent of the wholesome reforms and
much needed legislation set out in his
call, but that the putting of the San
ders forces-aud especially the New
Orleans ward bosses-at disadvan
tage in the pending campaign was tht
raison DEERE of his unexpected coup
Whether this imputation be true OF
false Is not material question to tn.
taxpayers and citizens of Louisiana
who are interested in the reform atorl
measures specified in the governor
. proclamation for consideration by tn,
general assembly. Public opinion vii
largely annrove the desirahiIitv ant