Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-08-13

administration is to be held by the peo-
pie absolutely responsible for its success.
II the new scheme of taxes does not pro-
vide the necessary revenue, the new adj
ministration will be blamed and be ex-
pected to make it work out whether it
will or not. Not only that, but the citi-
zens OF New Orleans who take an interest
in public affairs tell you that the city is
already paying more than its share of the
taxes and revenues of the government,
and if you are to expect more money it
must come from the country and other
sources. Are you willing to stand for
more taxes right now, when our staple
money crop, cotton, has been demoralized
in price by the European war, and adj
vertisements for tax sales are more num-
erous and tax burdens heavier than ever
before? think not.
Some people are saying that if the Con-
vention is held just before the election the
people will get what they want Such a
contention is possibly true of the legisa-
ture, because the members thereof have
to go before the people for reelection,
and legislative work is subject to revision
by the people in the discharge of unfaith-
full representatives and the election of new
ones; but Constitutional Convention
stands on an entirely different basis.
When it completes it work it is dissolved
and another may never be called together
for some twenty years or more until a
new generation of voters shall come upon
the scene of action. Besides a Constitu-
ton is supposed to be simply the enuncia-
ton of general principles OF organic OF
fundamental law and not legislation, SC
the fact of its being held before the elec-
ton instead or afterwards will play an
unimportant part except as shall here.
after show.
One OF the main objects to convention
being held at this time is that honestly
believe it will become largely a political
convention rather than the solemn DELHI
crate body it should be.
Why plenty Of politicians will tell you,
Just wait until the Constitutional Con-
vention is held and we will then select
the Governor for you." One candidate
for Governor is already an aspirant fol
the Convention. Why? Another pros
pective or tentative candidate for Govern
or has brother running as "Bull
Moose" delegate for the Convention from
st. Mary parish. Numerous political
contests have already been waged for del
egates and considerable factionalism is
manifest. That Convention will be com.
posed largely if not altogether of men who
take an active interest in politics, and al
though the convention systensof nominal
ing Governors has been abolished by the
primary election law, yet the politicians
are expecting this Constitutional Conven-
ton to play its part and have its share in
,e ifwhat is here stated is not proven
| true sfpuld the people call the Convention.
Listen ii you do not hear OF dickers, trades
and barriers in the same.
Not only that, but also remember that
in that Convention there will be many
dele gates who will have friends out for
various State offices, and who would like
t. see them aided in every way possible.
cannot help but believe that such
Convention held at such time would
largely become political one, subject to
dickers and trades as have already in
Dictated, and not that solemn deliberate
body it should he with no interest to be
be subserved except to frame short or
gan of law for the government of the
people.
The Constitutional Conventions Of 1875
and 1898 were not held at such time,
and who will dare say that these instru-
ments were not the very best that could
have been framed in the interest of the
people at the time they were drafted? A
convention could be called next year free
from political factionalism without extra
expense for the election calling same.
Are you in favor OF creating more Su.
preme Court justices to provide a berth
for some one?
Are you in favor of issuing half mil.
lion dollars more interest bearing bond.
to pay for the Penitentiary Boards bad
management?
Are you in favor OF raising more take.
or increasing assessments to get mort
money or do you prefer practicing NOR
economy?
+, Are you in favor of holding political
convention full Of deals and dickers, in
stead OF a Constitutional Convention at {
time when such issues will not be inject
ed therein.
If you do not favor these things, ther
be sure and 60 to the polls and volt
against the Constitutional Convention OF
Tuesday, August 81, and save the useles.
expense of $3.50, 900 to the people of the
State.