Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-10-28
THE AMENDMENTS.

StitutiOnal amendments TO be SUD- |
mitted Nov. 9Th. We shall print |
this tabloid from time to time in
the hope that it may help those who
desire to vote intelligently on the
proposed changes in the organic law.
With few exceptions they are un-
complicated. On the whole they
are meritorious. None is vicious.
None is calculated to do public
harm.
Four are of immediate interest to
the city of New Orleans. Two COW
er the Exposition, one the grant OF
power to the Dock Board 80 that al
system of storage warehouses for
cotton may be erected here, and the
fourth is the exemption of steam
ship lines which dOmicle in Louis
lana within two years from January
/, 1911, with a pald-up capital OF
$1,000, 900. If this last amendment
induces a single line to come, it
will be one of the most profitable
changes in the constitution We have
ever made.
OF the other eleven, one is purely
local in character and provides for
an additional North Louisiana ju-
dicial district. 1t is true there are
now more than necessary; but until
they are re-arranged and reduced
it is not equitable that any parish
should be tackled on to an almost
inaccessible district.
With the State debt falling due
January 1, 1914, authority to iqui-
date it naturally necessary amend
ment. That which provides rep
rcsentative for each new parish is
equally SO; the absence of such pro-
vision has been a source Of annoy
ance, litigation, hard feeling and
expense in the past.
We have heard no protest against
the amendment to insure an annual
appropriation of $25O,OOO for the
thinning ranks of the INDECENT sur
vivors of the cause that was lost.
Nor has there been a voice raised
against the amendment restricting
the juvenile court law to those par
ishes capable of enforcing it. The
amendment is sought by the coun-
try because, owing to the lack Of
reformatories, the present law &C.
tually puts premium on the crime
The amendment requiring police
juries to levy 3 mills for schools
unless the school board certify les:
amount will suffice, likewise applies
only to the country. On the ground
that the Constitution is not manda
tory some of the parishes ignored
statute on the subject. Most Of
them obey it, the only purpose o
the amendment is to put all on thu
same level and make every pOlic'
jury take proper care of its schools
To the proper performance of tn
duties of his Office the amendmen
allowing the Attorney General TIVE
assistants is essential. Now the At
torney General is buried under {
mountain of work and the interest
OF the State suffer. If he is givel
adequate assistance the abrogatiol
Of the board attorneyships whicl
now constitute burden and ex
pense will be rendered less difficult
Under the Constitution a methot
is lacking by which the Suprem
Court may be relieved of a membe
whose infrmities no longer permi
him to meet his arduous and exact
ing duties. For the public veal
is desirable that such a justice VIII
has reached the age Of 70 and givel
the State fifteen years Of judicia
service should be permitted to retire
OF the remaining amendments on
is to facilitate the organization O
drainage districts and the fundin
Of special taxes into bonds for road
school and other public improve
ments. It is one the educationa
Department Of the State is earnest
~ urging.
Finally there are the conservation
and good roads amendments. Louis
lana is in the van Of States which
have legislated to conserve thei
natural resources. 1t is proper thes'
resources should bear the cost O
their protectiOn.