New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1914-06-20
WOULD ABOLISH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY,

Baton Rouge, La, June IA
Abolition of the General Assem-
tlv and substitution therefor of
a council of State Of eight sal
aried members elected from con-
gressional districts, is proposed
by Senator George Wesley Smith
of Richland parish in a bill he
will introduce in the Senate this
week. The measure is in line
with the most progressive thought
of the times. It is in effect a
proposal for commission govern
ment for the State.
A preliminary bill embodying
the underlying principals was
prepared by Senator Smith some
days ago and copies of it were
circulated among leading legis-
lators and others here for crit =.
cism. Numerous SUGGESTIONS were
made. Some Of these Senator
Smith adopted and is incorporat-
! ing in,the draft Of the bill he will
introduce in the Senate.
While the scheme suggested
by the Senator from Richland is
ultra progressive it is a serious
proposition and will receive SER
ious consideration 1t will have
the active and earnest support
of several Of the most influential
figures in the General Assembly
and is assured of much influential
outside support.
The proposal Senator Smith
has advanced is the result Of care
full investigation and serious con-
sideration Of the legislative sys-
tenn.
The faults of the double-house
system, crowded. calendars and
ill-considered half-baked legisla-
ton have been the source of COM
plant for years. With each sue
cessive session the increasing de-
mands upon government Ringing
larger demands for legislation,
the complaints have grown more
numerous.
In 1912 the subject was widely |
discussed among leaders of po-
litical thought, both in and out of !
the General Assembly, but no
remedy was attempted. The Sec
ond session Of the present Legis-
lature came and within two weeks !
of the commencement faced the
worst legislative situation in the
States history. Five weeks of i
session which have now passed !
have served to aggravate the
So serious has it be-
came that in both Houses lead
ers have been tentatively catsing
about for a remedy.
The plan of Senator Smith is
a bold bid for solution along j nj s
strongly advocated by great
leaders Of progressive thought in
this country, but as yet untried
in any State. The scheme in
brief follows:
Abolish the General Assembly.
Confer all of its powers on a
council of State, which shall have
as many members as there are
congressional districts, one men,
Der to be elected from each con-
gressional district.
Members of the council to re-
ceive salaries of $4,000 per year
Int to devote their entire time to
and to devote their entire time to
he office.
The council to remain in ses-
sion the year around; in no case
% adjourn for a greater period
han thirty days.
The Lieutenant Governor to re-
'eive a salary of $4,000 per year;
o devote his entire time to the +,
'fice; to be presiding officer Of +.
he council and to have vote in !
;ase of a tie.
The Governor to retain the
'ower Of Veto.
The recall, the initiative and ,
he referendum to be guaranteed !
o the people by the Constitution
n self-operative clauses.
Definite percentages have not ,
cen fixed, but it is probable that j
ecall petitions will be required I
o ontain twenty-five per cent
f the registered vote; initiative
Editions, twenty per cent, and I
he referendum fifteen per cent. !
The terms of Office would be j
he same as at present, four !