The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1913-09-13

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GOVERNOR HALLS MESSAGE.

GOVERNOR HALLS MEssAeE. /
What the States Chief Executive
Had to Say 70 the General AS
sembly at the cEenins Of the
Extra Session.
Immediately after the organization
of the two branches Of the general
assembly at Baton Rouge last Mon-
day, committees were appointed to
notify the governor. that the bodies
were ready for business, and Coy.
Hall responded by transmitting the
following message:
"Gentlemen-The board Of nQuida.
ton of the state debt having been
unable, under the stringent restrlc.
tions and conditions OF article 46 OF
the constitution, as amended In 1910,
to consummate arrangements for the
retirement of the consolidated bonds
of the state, maturing Jan. /, 1914,
it has become necessary to refer the
subject matter to the general assem-
bly, for its consideration and action.
"Inasmuch as any other provision
for the settlement Of the debt re-
quires a different constitutional grant
Of power, and this cannot be season
ably obtained under the ordinary
procedure to amend the constitution.
the necessity for the calling OF a
constitutional convention is as OBJ.
VinIs as If Ia imDeratiYe.
Whatever merit there may be In
the suggestion sometimes made that
there is need of revision of our
entire organic law, there is no seri'
Gus division that the convention ren'
dered necessary at this time by the
circumstances to which reference has
been made should be restricted, as
far as possible, to revision of the
constitution with respect to the debt
due Jan. /, 1914. The solution of
the debt problem is far toe vital to
be retarded Or endangered by the
many causes for confusion and dis.
cord that would inevitably arise
should comprehensive revision OF
the constitution be attempted.
while there may be doubt as to
the power Of the general assembly
of itself to call constitutional con
vention of limited power, there can
be none as to the power OF the peo
pie to do so upon the submission OF
the question to them by the gen
eral assembly. But the question as
to the extent to which the powers OF
: a convention can thus be limited OF
4 the method of limitation is one ol
4 law, although 1t may involve one o1
expediency as well.
There are two methods which pre-
sent themselves for consideration
One is by limiting the convention il
express terms to the specified matte
or matters to be considered; and ths
: other by excluding subject matter'
the consideration OF which is prohlb
Iited. Without undertaking to gIvs
the reasons here, / will say that
careful study OF the subject has lei
me to the conclusion, and so rec
ommend, that the latter plan is thu
; better. It is the method adopted il
1906, by which the convention of 1S0'
, was limited The same result coult
! be thus accomplished and at thu
same time those who might be dis
posed to raise some question as q
the legality Of a convention, limites
! otherwise, would probably be silencet
, by decision OF the supreme court o
1 this state already rendered.
an this connection 1t may be sal.
; that it must be most gratifying t
note the practical unanfmity Of senti
, ment among the people and press Q
: the state demanding the treatment @
: the debt problem as one Of paramoun
importance, and condemning any ei
fort to confuse with It's considers
: ton any other matter calculated t
: interfere with its proper solution b.
engendering discussion and division
The disposition thus manifested WI
serve to stimulate the value Of ou
o public securities by increasing th
! confidence OF investors In our credit
4 1t is to be hoped it goes even farthe
' than this and forecasts the dawn c
: better day in our state.
a "The question as to the number
l. delegates to compose the conventio
should engage serious consideration
: The situation is not the same as
L. would be If more extensive rev
g sion of the constitution were to b
= undertaken. The number should NJ
a be SO few as not to be fairly reprt
y sentative of the people of the state
n and at the same time not SO many .
VI to impose an unreasonable and III
:. necessary expense. It is respectful
s. suggested that one delegate for eac
T. representative district or ward OF tt
it parish of Orleans and for each
the other parishes of the state Wou
.e insure adequate representation al
Le answer all other reasonable reuuir
% ments.
e. During the recess of the gener
s. assembly the main building Of Il
State Training School. situated
Monroe, was burned and the seho
f. practically destroyed. The auestil
s. as to what, II anything, should
fel done toward the rehabilitation OF T
Ar institution is deemed to be matt
n of sufficient urgency to merit 7
s. consideration of the general assent
n at this time.
9. .sWhiIe the loss of the buildings
,e very unfortunate, the school has Z
Of been placed on such footing as to 4
ly colnplish to any appreciabid degT
I'll the object OF its establishment.
W institution should not be a per
MS farm for the punishment OF youth
m vioIators of the law, but, as its ma
ng indicates, a training school for the
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