The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-03-02
LOUISIANA'S CONSTTTU-
TIONAL CONVENTION
Statesmen Join Hands to Draft
Modern Organic Law
Economy Keynote.

IOOnSIllutiOnal convention. IL reads
as follows:
"A large number of states which
have issued calls for Constitutional
Conventions have their eyes upon
Louisiana. where one of the ablest
and most patriotic bodies of citizens
which ever met and which has been
given more authority than ever Civ
en- convention, will draft and
frame a Constitution which will
measure up to the hopes of our peo-
pie and be a lasting monument 10
those whose judgment, brains and
patriotism framed the most modern
Constitution in the United States. T"
The stage Is set for the opening Of
the Constitutional Convention at
noon Tuesday with chief interest To-
cussed on the contest for the presi-
deney between Lieutenant Governor
Bouanchaud of Point Coupee and
Phanor Breazeale Of Natchitoches.
Monday night both sides expressed
confidence of success in the final test
Of strength.
Speaking for Mr.. Bouanchaud, Al
bin Provosty and j. H. Morrison, who
are managing the acknowledgement
or's campaign said:-
"Mr. Bouanchaud's election is as
sured. He has many more than e.
nough pledges of support to make his
election an absolute certainty. We
do not believe that an opposition
ticket will be presented to the con-
vention."
Mr.. Breazeale, while quoting no
ngures, was confident.
Il have every reason to believe"
he said, that will be elected. My
information Is that the delegates who
have pledged themselves are about
equally divided between Mr.. Bouan-
chaud and myself, which indicates
about an even break as to pledges.
Many of the delegates are unpledged
and think will get majority of
them"
March 1.-The convention lost no
time in getting down to business.
The roll call by Secretary of State
Bailey showed the presence of 143
of the 146 delegates, and one of the
absentees arrived at the afternoon
session. Congressman ]. Y. Sanders
was one of the missing members, be-
ing detained by his duties at Wash
ington in the closing hours of Con-
gress.
After the opening preliminaries
the convention proceeded to the e.
lection of it's officers.
The nominations for president
were closed and the roll was called
by Secretary of State Bailey, result
ing in III votes for Bouanchaud and
81 votes for Breazeale. On motion
of Mr.. White the election of Mr..
Bouanchaud was made unanimous
Vice-Presidents - JEFF B. Snyder,
Madison; Charles Rosen, New Or
leans; L. o. Broussard, Vermillion;
Horace H. White. Rapides. Secre-
tary-0. H. Simpson, New Orleans.
PARKER URGES HARMONY
Baton Rouge, La, March IL
THE people of Louisiana have called
you to great work and are happy
to see that at the beginning of your
labors the spirit of harmony and pa
Parker in his address to the conven-
ton.
THE Governor has no official con-
nection with the Constitutional Con-
vention. A Legislature receives his
messages and submits its acts for his
approval or disapproval. A Consti-
tutional Convention is cast along diff
ferent lines. 1t performs it's own
work, independent of executive au-
thority and necessarily of executive
interference. *** - 80 It Is in your
power to bring about cooperation
and team work between country and
city, and all should remember no
immediate results will come from
your work which is building for this
and future generations. Instead Of
Immediately running to state and
national government for help, our
people should be impressed with the
fact that vigorous individual effort
and economy is their salvation.
yours is golden opportunity for
service. A new constitution for
Louisiana, embracing the basic prin-
ciples of government is the states
most vital need. Except in few
particulars, the present instrument
has served for over twenty-five years.
Conditions have changed; needs have
changed; thoughts have changed
since it was enacted.
ITO very considerable extent,
the future peace and welfare of Lou
isiana depends on whether your vis-
ion is large or small; whether you
are willing to cast aside every con-
ceivable interest but that Of the pub
lie welfare and perform your duty
here with an eye single to the good
of the whole state.
"The watehword. of this con-
vention should be Work, work,
work." to help the state and its peo-
pie; to eQualize and as far as pos
sible. modify tax burdens: to pro-
mote public education; to modernize
the judiciary; to revise the suffrage
lin fact, to solve wisely and ably
all the problems affecting the organ
ic life OF the state that are now
pressing for solution.
you will write history that will
endure. Let 1t be history of which
this and future generations will be
proud; history to which men may
point as an imperishable example Of
unselfsh and patriotic service. Don't
let politics guide your judgement nor
ambition sway your acts. Be good
servants of the people and work un-.
ceasingly for their material prosper
ity and happiness. /"
BEST WISHES TO HARDING.
Baton Rouge, La. March L.
xKyto,, Wa rror, n HARDING fakaz the