Louisiana's Constitutions: 1864

Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, commander of the occupied areas of Louisiana, summoned a constitutional convention on orders from President Lincoln. It was Louisiana's chance to get back into the Union.

On March 28, 1864, Banks called for an election of delegates. Although Louisiana had 48 parishes, only those 19 parishes occupied by Union forces sent delegates. On April 9 they began in the Lyceum Hall (renamed Liberty Hall) inside Gallier Hall, where three years before a convention had voted to leave the Union. It ended on July 25.

The convention was known for absenteeism, free liquor and cigars, and other extravagances. Final costs where over $250,000. On the plus side, the constitution abolished slavery, granted the vote to all white males, gave tax money to educate both white and black children, established a minimum wage, and created a nine-hour workday. However, it failed to act on voting and civil rights for newly freed people.