The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-07-16
NE CONSTITUTIONAL Iy.!:..,.-.,.
~ CONVENTION.
nv ]. O. Modisette}

unconstitutional Convention or ri. the
.,,o,ed Constitutional Convention
rnv Of these contributions are in the
of letters from the people, express
!, different ideas and views on the
~ Of the proposed convention. the
u anloyion of its membership, the
~ Zion and nomination Of candidates,
many other interesting topics.
ame are strongly opposed to any
...ysntion. Others object to one at
Az fine. Still others share the opin'
!. that little good ,can result in so
.s,,t . time with such a large member
Aip
Then there are those who propheSy
a.tanV convention will be dominated
! New Orleans political machine.
s,ma belieye that nobody but farmer
,b0rd be eligible to membership in
ii, convention, and a few people for
ps,Ons best known to themselves
haksIl lawyers should be barred or
saualifed perSe. Persons who enter
Vim these views are generally honest
htbem, SelRShly speaking the writer
would not object to provision barring
hFyers, or providing the convention
Sall be composed entirely OF farmers,
msiuess men, or doctors. He is con-
dacsd when we adopt State ConStitu'
ton written entirely without the aid OF
de legal profession we will be nearer
ihemillenium than we now are.
Since Louisiana became a State we
lave had seven Constitutions. The
srst document endured longer than
,ay other. It was shorter than the
others. Since the adoption OF the Con-
atatlon of 1898, there have been sub
mtted to the electorate over one hun
tped proposed amendments to the Con
diutiOn. These submissions to the
people have cost the taxpayers more
than one hundred thousand dollars
Not all Of the amendments proposed
adopted, but it costs as much tC
dsfeat an amendment as to adopt it
ETeFy two years, the voters OF the
Safe are confronted with the problem
dYOting on from one to eighteen pro
Esed amendments to the Constitution.
louisiana has a record for such, being
mpaSSed in this custom by only a few
sates. among which are Oregon ant
0ne other western states.
flew states of the Union have had
htole or two Constitutions and arr
hach older than Louisiana. Neither i!
he organic law amended so often a.
ours, We must all concede that Condi
IONS are changing and some change!
. the fund.- m ,ntal law of the land
safe and nation becomes advisable ant
q tines necessary. Economy woulC
suggest that these changes come only
When really demanded, and that in or.
lsf that frequent necessity for chang
hgtae Constitution be avoided, this il
sfnnent should be written in such ;
way as to deal with vital principles
ROad and elastic enuf, that the ordin.
alI changes in legislation may be eff
Ated IRON tine to time by the legis
hlue itself.
e nave too much legislation. To-
gay laws are our lot. Fewer an
RsteF laws should be the slogan in tn
u campaign for the membership il
g legislature.
iae reason why our Constitution
Aad to be amended so often is be
Se Ills devoted too much to legisla
pa pFoperlJ belonging to the Jaw
anng body of the government. Ger
ln restrictions and limitations ar
Sary on the legislative authority
a'sa may have to be removed O
hanged from time to time, but W
" DY lar too many Of them now.
lae coming Constitutional Conven
" should be composed of the ables
pest men available from each par
I. Y iOr the task. If the best men TO
81 '@SA are doctors, farmers or bust
y men, then they should be sent, bu
ls OeSt men for this task are law
'aen send them. The character {
y constitution written will not ris
's Tue ability, capacity and charaC
i y lle membership of the Conven
what you want first in a del,
s y manhood and character; seconc
ssOa want man who is fitted an
'laea' who possesses ability, capac
y ana industry; and thirdly, yo
= as your delegate the very be.
ppea matelialin the parish. Leg
age and ability would add won
y 10 iany mans equipment fc
snee, just as the knowledge
ststllle adds tn fho Yco ,,iv,oee ~