The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-04-30
UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

GREED that we must have constitutional convention sooner orr
later but Just have and not 90 violence TO t
best interests the and the people large is question
on which these thinkers are not agreed: 60 :, .
it's readers and to the public general if did not give express
ion to upon this very important subject and reg
serng opposition the holding such convention peoe
the regular state election in 1916 encouraged IN that po
son by the that the country papers generally are coming
out with expressions Of the CHARACTER Even some OF th
eadne daias large cities emang war on the PROPOSE
ton to hold the prior to the general election IN 1916
The holding of the convention during the present year would
mean the adoption ordinances without that period OF consde
ton and deberaion that SO serious matter deserves ana me
framing whole OF organic law which would not meet incl
desires the people, and which would be followed by amendment
after amendment until in the of few years there would
be popular demand Cor another constitutional conventon That
the constitutional convention OF 1893 nothing than al
political keshitt proven by the tact that not single session.
of the legislature been held since when there not AMI
amendment offered not adopted Therefore, to the end tat
we may not again cursed with instrument that does mott
meet the requirements Of the state and the approval of the people,
and have to DO the thing all over again at
that rush nconsderaey into the calling and holding
q constitutional convention.
We believe that it unwe and against the better interests
of the peone have cali determine whether con
stutona convention shall be held but think that better
thing do to leave this matter to the judgement of the Cen
the matter will have been fully and matrey discussed the public
press and by the people of every class and OF varied interests
the that election will have had opportunity to CLEAN
from candidates for the legislature their views upon the matters
be included the organic law and register with the repre-
sentative then be elected their wishes and desires the prem
sen other words to send them to the Legislature instructed and
committed to the support OF certain ordinances which they desire
written the constitution.
In quarters is argued that the convention should bel
held during the general state campaign because if held after the
primary there would be longer any exstant incentive the
part the successful faction grant he organic reforms which
the people demanding
Such argument not apt to convince the sober thinkers
among people Those who really constitution and
who have been demanding for time past "
and do desire expect political advantage
from it. To their credit must be said they are prompted by
bpher sense Of CITIZENSHIP What thew want and what should be-
done is the framing and adoption of constitution that will
keep the stockade but that will her loose upon
will make possible to egsae the interest of her POLITICAL
ca commercial and industrial advancement without having TO
give her that liberty by amending the constitution.
Again. it is absurd to say that administration Just en-
teng upon its reign would deliberately set about wang the
the reforms which they had demanded Of them during the cam
pagn The contrary it seems to ought to be and doubt
missions from the likely do the the people
who elected hem and surely better position do than
are those who are in the last stages Of their political extance
The greatest trouble with the whole situation is that there
certain politicians Louisiana today Who hope promote
their political fortunes by murgng into the campaign
and the convention but these ought be allow
ed to triumph The idea uppero in the minds of the yeomanry
Of the state is that convention held should be held at time
when the public mind is free Of the hurry and excitement of
heated political campaign and when harmony and cooperation
the from every section Of the state will be posi-
whole sta and leaving wholly view the political interests
Of every faction
true to MS constituency all matters but if constitutional con-
venon is to be included in the Governors call for an extra
ION OF the legislature hw he to know what the wishes of his
ed on that question but he could be advised before he votes
there no doubt but that he would lay aside his Individual
and voice the sentiments of the people of the parish in casting his
vote is therefore important that he be advised by his people
as to whether they favor constitutional convention being held
curing he neat OF the state campaign in 1916 whether they
favor It's beng held afterwards and the responsibility of making
the call being left the regular of the General Assembly
There are two ways in which Mr. McCanahan may be SUBJ
ped with this information 1st By every interested voter ad
dressing him letter the subject End By the calling Of
mass meeting for the purpose of giving him Instructions
In the judgement Of The Waterman it will amount to tho
the
pgn and the constitutional convention progress at the
me yet busy fellow citizens and state is to rush head
long to helsh DOOM leave her position to make no
out lets be in position tell her thatshe did it after
u ana TAR warning by those of her subjects who loved her best
WOULD BE A CANDIDATE
u r ,,c, Carks, La, April o. 1915