The Rice belt journal., 1921-07-02
MANY CHANGES MADE
STATES ORGANIC LAW
Farm Improvement Exempt From
Taxation. Reservation of Min
eral Rights on State Lands

L. judiciary system was IeOISd-
nized from the Supreme Court
down. This probably is the most
important act of the convention.
The Supreme Court was enlarged
from five to seven judges, with au-
thOrity to sit in divisions and CIV
en- supervisory powers over all
inferior courts. Jurisdiction of the
Courts of Appeal was brOadened.
The number of district judges was
reduced and their salaries increaS-
ed.
2. A greater state university and
agricultural college was set in the
Constitution, with a $7,OOO,OOO re-
habiIitation fund, and a tax of a
half mill set aside for the support
of the institution after January
1, 1925.
3. Suffrage and election regula-
tionS were revised with the adop-
ton of the Mississippi under
standing" Clause, Connecticut and
George good character" clause,
the provisions disfranchiSing bri-
be-givers and bribe-takers and
political slush contributors and
dispensers. Registrars of voters
outside of Orleans parish were
made appointive by police juries,
state elections and New Orleans
city elections were placed two
years apart.
4. Construction and mainten-
ance of state system of highways
on the "pay as you go" plan were
provided without the issuance OF
bonds or the incurring of any
debt. This is to be done by Segre-
eating into a state highway fund
| all taxes and licenses on vehicles
of every description, including
motor cars, and by imposing a
sales tax of two cents per gallon
on gasoline.
5. The legislature was authOriZ-
ed to impose severance taxes on
natural resources and was requir-
ed to allocate One-fifth of such tax
eS up to 100000 a year to parish
eS where oil and gas are produced
6. The Legislature was permit
ed to impose flat tax of 8 pei
cent on net incomes after 1924.
7. State tax rate was limited tc
Is Id mills, but with authority
given the Legislature by a two.
thirds vote to increase the rate tC
Is "a mills.
/ s. The Legislature was empow
Iered to classify property for pur
IpoSeS to taxation.
9. A tax ON inheritance at no
Exceeding 8 per cent was provided
; for.
1. 10. The Legislature was direct
ed to prohibit the use of any pro
cess by and court to restrain th'
collection of any tax. This is in
tended as constitutional club t
be held over large interests tina
resists the payment of taxes. Z
; II. The Board of Safe Affair
was converted into the State ia,
Commission, with supervisor.
powers over all matters affecting
taxation and assessments.
II. Farm improvements wer
exempted from taxation.
13. Tax on open accounts wa
removed.
IA. A limit of 25 mills was plac
ed on all special taxes in pariShe
and municipalities.
Is. The State Board of Educa
ton was ordered reorganized, t
be composed of eleven members
one elected from each congres
sional district, three appointed b,
1.-The Governor.
16. State Superintendent of Edu
cations was made appointive b,
the State Board of Education.
II. All State educational inst
ItutionS were placed under the So
peryiSion of the state board 9
education.
is. A state tax of 2 1-2 mills fo
the support of public schools, a
at present, was imposed. !.
10. The Legislature was requli
ed to provide for optional form
Of government for parishes.
20. The Legislature was author
lied to investigate affairs in Me-
Orleans through boards or con
missions.
q. Parishes and municipaIitle
were permitted to vote specla
taxes for public utilities.
%. Titles to lands adjudicate
10 the State for taxes prior to l0e
were quieted.
%. The Legislature was autho
lied to provide for reforesting GU
over lands.
%. Aliens who cannot becon
citizens of this country were pr
lhibited from owning land in Lou
Siana.
25. Public officials were prob
ih;4oJ from occenfinp railroad pI