Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-10-02
Constitutional Amendments.

ygmber Inc TeCeDJ beDeidI AS
sembly submitted several pro-
posed amendments to the Con-
stitution to be acted upon by the
electors. The Constitution has
given the Legislature much pow
er in the enactment of legislation,
but it has wisely reserved import
ant principals in connection with
taxation, bond issues, salaries OF
public officers and other matters
to be determined by the people
themselves.
The amendments which the
people will vote upon i'll Novem-
Der are concerned with the fol-
lowing subjects:
Making the salary Of the state Super
intendent of Education 5000.
Exempting mortgages and loans OF HE
insurance companies for their policy
holders from taxation.
Authorizing the Sewerage and Water
Board of New Orleans to pay Il per cent
commission on the first $4,000, 900 OF Its
$1,000, 900 bond issue.
Authorizing the Dock Board Of New
Orleans to issue s., 100000 bonds.
Providing for the care Of neglected
children and establishing juvenile courts
Making the salary of the State Treas
urer $4,000 and the Auditor 5000 year.
Increasing the maximum appropria-
ton 10 the Confederate Veterans.
Permitting an additional bond issue
BY the city Of Shreveport.
Amending Article 1874, permitting al
lotment of cases in the Civil Court o.
New Orleans to he made rules OF judges
1t seems to us that all these
amendments are meritorlous ano
ought to be approved by the peo
pie. The salary of the State Su
perintend was fixed at $1,000
many years ago, when there wa'
not much work for Superlntend
emit to do and not much money
with which to do that which
ought to be done. 1t is scandal
ously low now and it stands a
q constant reproach to the public
spirit of the people of Louisiana
With the development of our pub
lie school system and the worl
necessary to be done to remove
the stigma of illiteracy which
rests upon 80 many of our citi
zenship, the Office easily becomes
one of the most important Office
in the State and the salary of tn
superintendent should be in SOM
proportion to the dignity and i'm
portancs of the Office.
We have been aud are, fort
innate in having men of splendid
qualifications aud high characte
in this position; but they hav'
served more out of love of tn,
work and the desire to do wha
thew could to elevate the Stat,
than FOR the compensation at
tached to the position.
We want the best talent anC
the highest personal character
and that we are fortunate in hav
ing at the head of our school sys
tenn. In order to assure a con
tinuation of this we must max,
the salary fit the Importance o
the Office. That is what the pro
posed amendment attempts to do
and it ought to meet with genera
favor.
The fixing of the salaries o
the Treasurer aud Auditor of tn,
State merely changes the manner
of compromising them, and doe
not increase their salaries. Form
erly they received a small salar,
and we're allowed to collect com
pensation for their services il
connection with important boards
Under the new amendment the,
will perform the same service
aud be paid straight salaries out
of the treasury. The amendment
is III line with a sound publ,
policy which reprobates the fe'
or commission system and favor
straight salaries.
The amendment exemptins
mortgages from taxation is al
important one, aud its adoption
will mean much to the future de
velopment of the State by max
ing it possible to get cheap none,
for Legitimate investments il
Louisiana.