The Natchitoches enterprise., 1914-02-19
Is The Board Of Health Above The
Constitution!

law, or else a tlagrant abuse U
power.
On February 2nd, a complain
with reference to the hotel wa
sent to the President of the State
Board of Health.
This complaint was in the form
of letter, not from any official
not based on any investigation
and not sworn to 1t purports tc
be based upon reports by parties
unnamed, in regard to the conduct
of the hotel.
Two days later, Mr.. Wemp, the
proprietor, received, from the
president of the board, peremp,
tory instructions to close the hotel
AT ONCE, and to do no further
business therein until the alleged
unsanitary condition had been re-
medied. This remarkable docu-
ment closed with the warning that
a failure to obey this executive
mandate, would entail the penalty
of an injunction against the pro-
prietor at his costs.
The same day that brought this
order to Mr.. Wemp, the daily
papers of the state carried under
startling headlines the announce
ment that the Lecomte Hotel at
this place, alone with one at
Gibsland, and one at DeRidder,
had been closed, and the addi-
tional statement was made that
the conditions of the said hotels
were disgrace to civilized
people.
Mr.. Wemp, being a native
American citizen, and believing
that even hotel proprietor was
not entirely beyond the pale of
the law, and after seeking the
advice of counsil, concluded not to
obey the order.
DIR. Bath. President of the Nat.
chitoches Board of Health, made
a thorough examination of the
hotel, and authorized Mr.. Wemp
to keep open, at least until his
report could reach the State Board
of Health. Still later, an inspec-
tor of the Safe Board visited the
hotel aud made an inspection.
AS no further steps have been
taken in the matter, it is assumed
that the State Board is convinced
that the charges made against the
hotel were unfounded.
And this appears to be the case
from the card signed by many
patrons of the house, both from
this place and from the State at
large.
Mr.. Wemp is gentleman of
the highest integrity, and is de-
servidlv popular throughout all
this section of the State. He and
his family enjoy an enviable social
position among our people.
But aside from all this, he is a
citizen of the State, and as such,
is entitled to the protection of the
law.
Now, the second article which
the people of Louisiana wrote into
their constitution declares that:
mo person shall be deprived of
life, liberty or property, except
by due process of law"
And the Courts of the United
States and of every State, concur
in holding that due process of
law" means and includes the right
of every one to have notice OF
any proceeding by which his life,
or property may be af
fected, and to be afforded an op-
portunity to defend, and enforce
such rights in any proceeding
against him.
And the Courts have united in
declaring that any law, which
Injuries or takes away a mans
property. (and the right to pursue
a legitimate calling is property
without notice, and an opportunity |
to make his defense, is null and
void.
1t seems clear, therefore, that
this important constitutional provi-
sion has been violated by one of the
departments of the State govern
ment.
Judgment was rendered against |
this citizen without any notice to |
him, without any legal evidence,