The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1921-05-18

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chairman, which had been fixed as
the special order for Thursday. Two
sessions were held, one beginning in
the morning at 10 and the other in
the afternoon at 3 o'clock. Night ses-
sions have been abandoned by the
convention and hereafter except on
Monday and Friday two session daily
will be held.
Salaries raised by the convention
will go into effect Thursday morning
It will require a two-thirds vote -
raise them afterwards in the legis-
Iature. This question was only de-
cided after a long debate and much
oratory. J. L. Westbrook Of Living
ston. had introduced an amendment
to the report which provided that sal
aries did not go into effect until after
the expiration OF the present terms.
Members Of the convention thought
this amendment would prevent the
raise Of salaries of district judges
which all agree are necessary. Es-
mond Phelps mad Justice Winston
! Overton spoke against the amend
ment
Federal Oath Killed
at would be a mistake for the
great state of Louisiana to keep the
district Judges and the judges Of the
courts of appeal on their present sal
aries" said Justice Overton. They
do not make enough money to pay
their living expenses and keep up
appearances. One of the prime rea-
sons for holding this convention is to
cure that crying evil and both candi-
dates for governor promised to cure
it if elected"
Esmond Phelps took the position ii
the raises were deserved that they
should go into effect at once.
Members Of the legislature will not
be required to take an oath that they
I will not vote for the ratification OF
an amendment to the constitution OF
the United States, which has been
submitted after they are elected. This
was also decided by the convention as
part of the report of the committee
on general provisions. This provision
was reported by the committee with
favor. 1t came to the convention in
an ordinance by Senator Clinton and
was the only ordinance which had
been referred to the committee, which
had received a favorable report. 1t
was stricken out on motion Of T. w.
Nettles of Red River, on the ground
that it would be in conflict with the
provision of the constitution of the
United States.
Bell Puts One Through
While the convention spent the
whole day on the report of the COM
mittee on general provisions, this can
be understood when it is considered
that this report covers seven printed
pages and 81 articles Of the constitu-
ton. Each one of these articles is
distinct subject matter and must
be considered by itself. Nearly forty
amendments we're offered to the ordi-
nance and it viii take some time to
consider them all.
u. A. Bell of Lake Charles, secured
the insertion of an amendment to the
general provisions schedule, where the
holder of any federal position is made
ineligible from holding an office ~
trust under the state government,
by adding the following.
providing that this shall not apply
to the officers in the reserve corps
of the United States army, navy and
marine"
It was adopted. 1t was explained
privately that there were a few m
stances in the state where officers in
the reserve forces were holding STATE
positions and it was fer them that
this inhibition was removed from the
constitution. 1t is said this amend
ment will be of special interest to
Lake Charles.
Joffrion Wins Long Contest
]. w. Joffrion put through on the
floor of the convention, an amend
ment which he had tried dexterously
to have acted On favorably in the
general provisions committee, and
had failed. 1t provides that the legis-
lature shall have authority to grant
rights of way for public roads and
provide for condemnation of land.
Mr. Joffrion argued in support OF
this provision that there are over
| Il. 900, 600 acres Of cut over pine lands
/ in this state, which do not abut on
any road, railroad or transportation
outlet. He wished to pave the way
for opening up these vast tracts. 4
Mr.. Noise objected on the ground
/ - III 1000 prououifou had bp1U