The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-11-20
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.


lion into an unlimited body to legislate into
the constitution any and all matters that
suits their individual whims and fancles.
Unless checked by the majority, the con-
vention will amount to farce and failure.
Assumption Pioneer: We do not believe
that these several matters should be per-
mitted to receive the approval and indorse-
ment of the Constitutional Convention
because the electorate consented to linn
tied Convention with power to change only
one part of the Constitution which was not
even to be referred back to them. II an
unlimited Constitutional Convention were
needed, it would be the right thing to let
the voters know about it, so that they can
pass upon it.
New Orleans Picayune: Another very
dangerous development is the attempt that
is being made to revise the entire Constr
tuition for corrections and the like. AL
most any sort of a joker is liable to creep
into the organic law through this proceed
ing unless the whole instrument is studied
line by line and word by word by the body
of the Convention, task that would con-
sumo much more time than the delegates
have at their disposal. The whole State
would feel greatly relieved if the Conven-
ton were to adjourn early next week, as
soon as the bond ordinance is out of the
way.
New Orleans States: At the beginning
of the session it appeared as if radical
element might be able to stampede the
Convention into entering on complete
reconstruction of the Constitution. But
there has been steady development OF
the conservative element-of the element
that believes that since the people ratified
the call on the specific condition that only
two subjects would be considered it would
be breach of faith to go beyond-and
most of the amendments proposed have
been reported unfavorably. Some three
or four still remain to be killed. However
strong may be their merits the Convention
ought to treat them as it has just treated
the Confederate ordinance. It was never
intended by the people that any other sub
jects should be considered than the debt
and sewerage amendments. and the Con-
vention would be clearly guilty of depart
ing from their instructions if they attempt
ed to make a single change in the Consti-
tuition beyond the two mentioned.
/ Lake Charles American Press: When a
Constitutional Convention was authorized
by common consent, the understanding Of
the voters was that it was expected to
clear the way in legal sense, for the re-
funding of the State debt and adjourn.
No other changes in the Convention we're
discussed nor contemplated. From the
Baton Rouge dispatches this week, how
ever, it appears that at least some of the
members are under the impression that
the ''restrictions' should be taken in a
Pickwickian sense. and that they are in
, Baton Rouge for the purpose of making
as much of new Constitution as they can
; stretch their authority to cover.
This seems to be proper time to remind
the delegates to the Convention that the
people of the State did not send them. tc
: Baton Rouge to do everything to the Con-
stitution that they are not forbidden spe-
!, officially to do. In the minds of the people
= of Louisiana, they have been sent there
for just one purpose: to remove the con.
h stitutional obstacles to refunding the State
: debt at higher rate of interest. They
h were selected mostly without opposition
' because they were supposed to be level.
: headed and sane enough to do just tina
: one thing, and then go home. If they
: NEEDLE any further with the organic Law
of the State, especially if they take adj
= vantage of the free hand given them Il
act on matters as to which public opinion
. is divided or not sufficiently crystialized
d they will be guilty of extreme bad faitl
. which the people of the State will not b.
h slow to resent.