The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1915-08-21
Donaldsonville, La, Aug. IL, 1915.

| will vote for or against constitution.
al convention, called under the terms
of Act 33 of 1915. The delegates to
| this convention, yet to be voted on
have as matter of fact been select
ed, and with this knowledge of the
complexion Of the convention and
all of the surrounding conditions cul-
| minating in the call, the electorate are
well in a position to judge as to the
wisdom of holding a convention. The
decision of this momentous question
is non-political, and is addressed to
the conscience and good judgment
of the individual voter.
As one of the accredited delegates
to that convention, if held, | deem it
proper and right to express publicly
my views.
I am opposed to the making Of a
constitution under present conditions.
The necessity of a new constitution
is pressing and the reasons therefor
are strong and persuasive; yet, in my
judgment, after serious thought, the
present political conditions through
the making of a constitution at pres
ent, in the best and truest sense of
the word, impossible. Any instru-
ment framed just now would be but
the reflex of political thought and
aims and necessarily would be par
tisan to the core. Such an instru-
ment would be party constitution
and not constitution Of the people
and for the people It would be an
instrument confected under influences
too strong to be resisted, and govern
ed entirely by the same underlying
causes which have resulted in the
constitutions of 1879, 1898 and 1918,
being considered so worthless as
none are so poor to do them rever-
ence."
A constitution is a charter of our
liberties, the ark of our safety; it is
not made for today or tomorrow, but
for years to come. To measure up to
the dignity and standing of consti-
tuition, it should be written with the
greatest care, patriotism and conser-
vatisn1 Those framing it should be
actuated solely by an honest and
strong desire to place of record an in
strument which Of itself by its wise
provisions gives full protection under
the law to the entire citizenship of
this state.
We live in a progressive age, and
the problems to be solved by the COM
ing convention, il held, are numerous
and most inn portal Their correct
solution. meaning SO much to this
state, will require the deepest study
and thought, with a mind and heart
HE 1ryItfS m
eye single to the welfare of our peo-
pie. Partisanship has no place i'll the
making of a constitution, and il con-
ditions are such as demonstrate that
the body polite is in state of violent
unrest, and it is a battle of political
factions for supremacy, then it holds
to reason that this is not the proper
time to write a constitution. Politi-
cal preferment, and the design of
using the convention as a means TO
an end, is not conducive to the making
of a true and stable constitution.
Judging from all the signs, prior to
and subsequent to the call, a conven-
ton, if held now, is to be but game
of politics, pure and simple, test of
strength between political factions,
each striving for ascendancy. 1t is
inconceivable that constitution
framed under these conditions will be
a safe and sane document under
which we will have to live for years
to come. 1t will be at best but the
wishes and aims of the controlling
and dominant faction. The time and
conditions are not propitious for the
undertaking Of so serious task.
But aside from this and shutting
our eyes to patent facts, the very call
of the convention has been brought
about by means and methods that at
once challenge the attention OF think
ing and serious men. It is a ques-
ton of great import as to whether or
not the electorate of this state will
place the stamp of approval on the
method resulting in this call. 1t is
conceded, and a matter OF public
that to insure the passage
of Act SO of 1915 an alliance had to
be made between the administration
forces and what is called euphemisti-
cally the Organization" It is furth-
ers conceded that without this alliance
Act SO could not have been passed.
The inevitable conclusion from this
state of affairs is, that if the conyen-
ton be held, it is by the grace and
consent of the organization. The
price asked for this gracious consent,
SO I am informed, was that the con-
vention be forbidden to touch upon or
even discuss the subject of prohibit
ton.
/ do not stop to inquire as to the
wisdom or expediency of this elimln-
ating process at the dictation OF a po-
litical faction, but I register my hon
est and solemn protest to the recognI-
aion in the slightest degree Of the leg
ihslature having the power, authority
or jurisdiction as condition prece-
dent to tack on to the exercise of the
right by the people of having a new
organic law any and all limitations 1t
may deem proper. This doctrine is
fraught with the gravest conse-
quences, and to adopt it or in any way
recognize it would be to clothe the
legislature with such tremendous pow
er as to be menace to the liberties
of the people. It would make the leg
stature the sovereign instead of the
people, and vest in it a power con-
trary to the fundamental principles
Of good government. The Legislature
has the inherent right to call a con-
stitutional convention, but outside of
fixing the representation in the con-
vention, how, where, and when it is to
be held, its sole power is exhausted.
It has perfect right to propose
amendments to the constitution in
the mode and manner provided by
law. but when it comes to calling a
constitutional convention, its powers
are restricted as above set out. It