The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-05-28
COLUMBIA, LOUISIANA, FRIDAY, MAY %, 1918

the need OF funds for state educational |
and eleemosynary Institutions and ask
ed legislation to amend the local OPP
ton laws so as to prevent a repetition
Of the pending litigation between the
respective authorities of the city of
Shreveport and the parish Of Caddo.
With the latter recommendation is a
caution to the lawmakers not to dis
criminate against liquor dealers of
Louisiana by any measure which will
give an advantage to dealers Of other
states doing business in Louisiana.
THE MESSAGE.
ITO the General Assembly Of the
state Of Louisiana:
Gentlemen:
The purpose for which you have
been called in extraordinary session
are indicated by the proclamation. and
it is not deemed necessary to elabor-
ate them in detail.
"One Of the chief duties confronting
you Is to make ample provision for the
support Of the state government and
Of the states educational and elee-
mosynary institutions. The funds
available for appropriation are so far
insufficient to meet legitimate and
necessary demands that you are at last
face to face with an unfortunate sit
uation that has been fOreseen for sew
eral years. The failure heretofore to
make adequate provision for the rapid
ly increasing needs and requirements
Of the state affords no excuse for
disregard Of them. Unpleasant as this
as an inexorable fact, the logic OF
which cannot be resisted.
1T goes without saying that your
powers to appropriate money are Inn
tied to the probable revenues from
which the appropriations must be paid.
Nothing can be accomplished by the
appropriation of funds which are not
and cannot be made available.
Among the important objects to
which your attention has been invited
for consideration is that Of the calling
Of a constitutional convention to be
held during the year 1915.
Convention Needed.
"It is not deemed necessary to par
ticularize with respect to the reasons
why a constitutional convention should
be held at this time. 1t cannot be de-
MED that. viewed from any angle, the
existing organic law does not meet the
opment Of the commonwealth ana ina
In many respects 1t operates as
hindrance to its progress. There Il
contained in it q large mass of legis
lation which is not proper nor ever
: usual in an organic instrument OF gov
eminent. but which should be left t
the discretion and wisdom Of the legis
: lative department. ss~H
, This condition has unavoidably re
suited in the submission to the peopi
from time to time of many propose'
amendments, entailing great expense
They are with just cause complaining
Unless this condition be corrected, tn
: future will probably be worse in tina
regard than the past.
1.rIyl-z rry1,f oh
l the voluminous document-compose
, in the main of legislative matter an
limitations Of legislative power-tha
4 now serves as our constitution n
e longer exist.
IAN official is in essential respect
an agent Of the people. He cannot d
i. a thing unless he be clothed with tn
D necessary authority. The people de
mand an efficient government, ou
n such a government is impossible whe
4 responsibility is so badly scattered an
confused that it canot be definltel
placed, and when the necessary pow
9 ers and discretion are Wlthhel
through fear that officials may abus
IL them. Too much imitation of author
7. ity destroys the efficiency of the pub
>. lie service without reducing the eS
pense of government. The peopl
d ought to be willing to trust themselYs
to select proper representatives. 1r
stead of binding the several depart
meuts of the government hand an
foot and thus seeking to protect the
Interest against possible license In IN
4 exercise of power by officials who ma
y prove themselves unworthy. 1t won!
!. seem wiser for the people to PROVE
d an easy method of the dismissal
e. such officials
), Fiscal System Broken.
whatever may be said other"ise,
70 constitutional convention In the nes
II future has become an imperative n
ces.ity. The states fiscal system n;
IN broken down under the increasirr
8. weight of public needs and demand
The public schools of the state ana
educational and eleemosynary lnstit'
s. tions are suffering. The farmers a
70 demanding funds necessary 10 assi
- them and to promote the deveiopme
e, of the agricultural interests. ines
Il as we'll as other needs are just, al
W the funds necessary to supply the
ar ought to be made available. This CT
m no done only through re-arrang
=, ment of our fiscal system on pus
al ness and more efficient basis. T!
CHI General assembly cannot longer def
Ill snnropriate action with respect to IN
' vital matter without placing 1tsel!
the attitude of carelessly dlsregarol'
its plain duty. Mould ,a den,orsh
indeed If the want Of just relation 2
sr. tween requirements and necessltl
49, and the funds with which to me
~ them arose from the poverty OF t
m state The state of Louisiana Is al
10 amply to take care OF her goVernme
~ and her institutions. 1t is needed or
rus that q proper fiscal system DE ADOPT
OIL and put into operation. The people
Itch
ZIG increase of taxation, nor VIII tney 81
ar. Tor with patience an undue raising
Tho assessments Of the common pre-
ertv of the state. The remedy, as
weiI Informed persons know, Is s!
"a, tenn by which just and fair equalii
tim of assessments may be enforc
ne Need Of Reform.
an 1.-THE need of this reform is but
+a.} cently emphasized and accentuated
y, the insistent demands or the 1arm
en- NJ the state for increased appropr
es. lions necessary to the pr3,noaioi H.
development Of our agricultural INT
astc These demands are just and CT
rnt he ignored or evaded. 1t Is
ne neople of the state, in a convent
DAB "nmposed of their ablest and best m
nts N devise a remedy for these con
~, | lions.
asst invited to the financial condition OF
~, states penitentiary system. whlch
ep' become greatly embarrassed In cor
lte- Ouence Of the disasters that have ov
taken H. An arrangement by VIII
The indebtedness can be funded
TINS distributed through a period
years cannot be postponed. Const
tional authority has been found to
rds absolutely necessary to that end.
he "'To enact legislation effectively
protect trade and commerce aga
~" monopoly and other unlawfui cor