The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-11-17
SAYS
PEOPLE DEMAND
SHORT DOCUMENT
Chief Executive, In An In
terview, Speaks His
Mind
so SIMPLE EVERY
MAN CAN UNDERSTAND
Basic Principles Only Should
Be Framework of
Constitution

/ OTieduS 1ImeS-Fl lcayune OF last FIJI
day;
/ Baton Rouge, La, Nov. 13.-Louisi-
ana win have short constitution
containing all the basic principles CT
I government, stripped of all legisla-
tive matter, and with only a suffi-
cient number of restrictions on the
legislature to prevent abuse of power
if the present trend of sentiment
among delegates to the constitutional
convention is carried cut by that body
when it convenes March l to rewrite
and revise the organic law of the
state.
More than one-third of the members
Of the convention who have been heard
from, as well as a large number of
citizens throughout the state who have
expressed opinions on the subject are
emphatic in their statements that the
new constitution should be as brief as
the interests and welfare of the state
will permit, and patterned as closely
after the constitution of the United
States as it will be possible to make
It.
Governor Parker is lined up with
the advocates of a short constitution.
While the governor will not seek or at
tempt to control or influence the con-
vention, he believes the delegates
could not render greater service to
Louisiana than to write a constitution
that will be short and simple, so that
every citizen will clearly understand
the provisions of the document.
81 hope and believe" the governor
Sid, "the convention win frame a
short constitution containing all of
the essentials of government and free
from matter that should be left to
the general assembly At the same
time it should be simple SO that every
citizen will clearly understand it.
General Assembly for Laws
"If the new constitution carries only
the framework of the state govern
ment, and all matters concerning leg
islation is delegated to the general as
sembly, it will result in great benefit
to the people. Frequent changes or
amendments to the constitution viii
then be unnecessary. If the people
want certain laws passed OF repealed,
they will have the remedy in their
own hands through the general as
sembly. The constitution should put
only such restrictions on the general
assembly that will prevent any abuse
of power.
f. 81 believe it good Iplcy for state
in framing constitution, to follow the
general lines of the federal constitu-
tion as closely as it can be done. With
a constitution Of this sort the state
will in future have better govern
ment"
Governor Parker expressed himself
as being well pleased with the per-
sonnel Of the convention so far chos-
en-, and he believes the congressional
district conventions to be held Nov
ember 16 will add to the list of dele
gates sixteen more of the states ablest
citizens. The governor said he was
giving careful consideration to the ap-
pointment Of the four remaining dele
gates at large and indicated that it
might be several weeks before their
names are announced. He can defer
the appointments until the opening
day of the convention, March 1, if he
wishes to do so.
Among names mentioned in con-
nection with the appointments are
those of former Governors r. G. Pleas
ant, ]. Y. Sanders, N. c. Blanchard
and Murphy j. Foster. 1t is not be-
lieved either Mr.. Blanchard or Mr..
Foster will accept on account of the
condition of their health. The name
of Phanor Breazeale of Natchitoches
who retired from the race for COVER
nor last year in favor of Mr.. Parker
also is figuring in the gossip about
possible appointments.
With 126 of the 146 delegates to the
convention named, the organization of
that body is attracting lot of atten-
ton in political circles. Up to date
five names have been mentioned for
president of the convention these be-
ing Lieutenant Governor Hewitt
Bouanchaud of Pointe Coupee, Judge
Ben T. Dawkins of the Supreme court.
Ex-senator Walter J. Burke of Iberia
Judge Winston Overton of Calcasieu
and John P. Sullivan, president Of the
Orleans Democratic Association.
o. H. Simpson for secretary and e.
]. Huber for sergeant-at-arms are the
only candidates who have announced
for those offices. Mr.. Simpson is Sec
retary OF the Senate, and Mr.. Huber
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