it assembled January 14, 1845, and, on the 16th of May, agreed upon an amended Constitution, which was ratified at an election held November 5th of that

year.

Under this Constitution the sessions of the General Assembly were made biennial, and the equalization of representation was based upon a census of electors, to be taken in 1847 and 1855, and decennially afterward.

The Supreme Court consisted of a Chief Justice and three Associate Judges, appointed for eight years, in classes, so that a vacancy occurred once in two years. Their appointment still remained with the Governor and Senate, but the Legislature was empowered to provide otherwise.

District Courts were created, the Judges being appointed for six years. Amendments might be made at two successive sessions of the General Assembly, and be ratified by the people at an election; the amendinents, if more than one, being submitted separately.

A Constitutional Convention was again called in 1852, which met at Baton Rouge on the 5th of July, and, on the 31st of that month, agreed upon a new Constitution, which was ratified at the November election following.

Among the more important changes, made at this time, was the creation of a Board of Public Works, and the establishment of an elective judiciary. The term of Representatives was continued at two years, but their sessions were again made annual. Representation was based upon a census of the whole population, to be taken in 1853, 1858, 1865, and decennially afterward. Certain restrictions upon the creation of the public debt were removed, and more ample provision was made for the maintenance of public schools.

On the 11th of December, 1860, the General Assembly called a Convention to meet on the 23d of that month, and on the 25th, this Convention passed an Ordinance of Secession by a vote of 113 to 17, but refused, by a vote of 84 to 45, to submit the question to the people for their decision. On the 21st of March, this Convention accepted the "Confederate Constitution" without submitting it to the people, and on the 27th it adjourned, after making certain changes in the State Constitution. The property of the United States - including bullion in the mint, and money in the custom-house, at New Orleans - was seized by the State government, with the approbation of the Convention. The funds thus obtained were transferred to the "Confederate" government. A State government, in sympathy with the rebellion, continued nominally in existence until the close of the war.

On the 6th of April, 1864, a Convention, called in pursuance of a proclamation of Governor Hahn, under the auspices of General Banks, commanding the United States forces in the Department of the Gulf, assembled at New Orleans, to form a new Constitution. Having completed this labor on the 23d of July, they adjourned on the 25th, subject to the call of the President. It was approved at an election in September, 1864, by a vote of 6,836 to 1,566, and an election of State officers was held. Restrictions upon commercial intercourse, in the part east of the Mississippi, were removed by President Johnson on the 29th of April, 1865, and, in the remainder of the State, on the 22d of May of the same year.

The government instituted in Louisiana in 1864 was not recognized by Congress, and, under the reconstruction measures adopted in 1867, this State was included in the Fifth Military District. A registration of voters took place, in which 45,199 white, and 84,431 colored, voters were registered; and, at an election on the question of a Convention, 75,083 votes were cast for, and 4,006 against, the measure. A Convention met early in December, 1867; and, on the 7th of March, 1868, it adopted the Constitution given in our text, which was ratified at an election by a vote of 46,737 to 34,076.

The State was admitted to representation in Congress, by an act passed on the 25th of June, 1868, upon condition of her ratification of the Fourteenth Article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which occurred on the 9th of July, 1868; and, on the 13th of July, the government was turned over by the military to the civil authorities.

PREAMBLE.

We, the people of Louisiana, in order to establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

TITLE I.

BILL OF RIGHTS.

ARTICLE 1. All men are created free and equal, and have certain inalienable rights; among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

ART. 2. All persons, without regard to race, color, or previous condition, born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, and residents of this State for one year, are citizens of this State. The citizens of this State owe allegiance to the United States; and this allegiance is paramount to that which they owe to the State. They shall enjoy the same civil, political, and public rights and privileges, and be subject to the same pains and penalties.

ART. 3. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in this State, otherwise than for the punishment of crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.

ART. 4. The press shall be free; every citizen may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of this liberty.

ART. 5. The right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the Government or any Department thereof, shall never be abridged.

ART. 6. Prosecutions shall be by indictment or information. The accused shall be entitled to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the parish in which the offense was committed, unless the venue be changed. He shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself; he shall have the right of being heard by himself or counsel; he shall have the right of meeting the witnesses face to face, and shall have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor. He shall not be tried twice for the same offense.

ART. 7. All persons shall be bailable by sufficient securities, unless for capital offenses, where the proof is evident or the presumption great, or unless, after conviction, for any crime or offense punishable with death or imprisonment at hard labor. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended.

ART. 8. Excessive bail shall not be required; excessive fines shall not be imposed; nor cruel nor unusual punishments inflicted.