St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1919-07-12
STAFFORD CALLS LEGISLATURE
UNDER IMPRESSION THAT HE
is ACTING GOVERNOR.
LAWMAKERS MEET
LEFT TO PLEASANT
orleanian's Attempt to FuifilI Piedaa
Made in Hot Well Speech
Proves Great Political
Sensation.

Baton Rouge. June 10.-AT abortive
attempt by Senator Ethelred M. stat
ford of New Orleans, president uro
tempore Of the state senate, who be-
lieved that he was acting governor og
Louisiana as result OF the supposed
absence from the state of both Lien
tenant Governor Fernand Mouton ana
Governor Pleasant, to convene the gem
eral assembly in extraordinary session
for period of thirty days, Wednes-
day furnished the biggest political
sensation here within the decade.
Senator Stafford iss.ssd proclanaa-
tion ccnyening the general assembly
In special session August / and clos
ing September 9, but it became fnef-
fective when the fact was established
definitely that Lieutenant Governor
Mouton was within the state at the
time when the document was filed III
the office Of the secretary of the state.
The lieutenant governor was at VIM
ton, Calcasieu parish, bollnd for Texas
when the proclamation was filed here
Immediately upon being apprised of
what had happened at Baton Rouge,
Mr.. Mouton telephoned to o. IL
Wright, secretary to the governor that
he was returning to his home at La-
fayette and would not leave the state
until Governor Pleasant gets back ana
assumes the reins OF government.
The plan OF Senator Stafford to con-
vene the state lawmaking body there
fore, has failed, and there win be no
extra session, unless Governor Pleas
ant changes his mind after hts return
home nE unlea Lieutenant apRern0f
Mouton should decide to cali one dur
ing the absence of the governor.
Senator Stafford's proclamation
enumerated fourteen subjects for the
Of the legislature, as fol-
lows: An unlimited constitutional
convention. authorizing the sale Of the
state lepers' home to the federal gov
arnment. amendment to the constitu-
ton comforting suffrage ON women,
construction of public roads and high
ways and the issuance OF bonds there
FOR, requiring the New Orleans dock
board to advertise for bids before
awarding contracts, prohibiting the
New Orleans dock bosrd from selling
bonds below par and my other legis-
alton affecting the cock board that
he legislature may see fit to enact.
egislation to relieve the Pine Island
III situation and making pipe lines
common carriers, creating state
board of public utilities, making all
3onds issued under the federal farm
can law legal investments, establish
ng an effective civil service system
or state and municipal governments.
;reating state bureau of employ
nent for returned soldiers, consolidat-
ng the state and city tax collectors
,fices in New Orleans, regulating the
:harge for water meters IN New Or
cans, and an appropriation to defray
he expenses Of the special session.
When the news spread over Baton
aouge that Senator Stafford had isuued
proclamation conyening the general
Lssembly in extra session IT created d
ensation. The opinion was freely ex-
'resed that 1t would Immediately start
he political ball to rolling furiously
7 In the state, no matter II the effort
Q call special session had failed