Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-12-12

/ h@tHk yuutu OF our COuuuYs mus quhAiy-
ing than for self government, and the
maintanance OF our free institutions, is
in object which cOmmends itself tothe fos-
tering care ofsVery American sIalesm an
and pstriot.
would beg leave to call your atten.
ton 70 the subject Of the amendment of
the Constitution Of The State, with the
view of remodling our judicial system, so
as to enable It to meet the wants and
exigencies of the people. | am fully a.
ware that too frequent changes of ths
fundamental law Of the State might
teud to unsettle the great principle on
which the Constitution ilselfis founded .
But if il can be shown that any portion
Of that instrument is entirely unsuited to
our present condition, and the wants Of
the people, we should not hesitate TO
seek a remedy. The trainers of The
Constitution contemplated future amend
meuts, aBd have provided in the irstru-
ment itself the mode and manner in
which itsmay be altered or amended
The fifth section OF the seventh article
provides, that whenever two thirds of the
General Assembly shall think it necessa
~ TO amend or change the Constitution,
they shall recommend TO the electors,
at the next election for members of the
General Assembly,te vote for oragainst a
Convention, and if it shall appear that
majority of the citizens of the State, vO.
ting for Representatives have voted fors
a Convention, the General Assembly
shall, at their next session, call Con.
vention, to consist Of as many members
as there be in the General Assembly, to
be chosen in the same manner, at the
same place, and by the same electors
that choose the General Assembly, who
shall meet within three months after the
said election, for the purpose of revising,
amending. or changing the Constitution
II is further provided in the same sec>
tiOn, that ne alteration of the Constitu-
ton shall ever take place so as to intro
duce slavery or involuntary seryitude into
this State.
1t will be seen, then, that the trainers
of the Constitution contemplated the ne.
cessity. at some future period, Of chang
ing or amending its provisions. It was
not expected by the patriotic citizens
who composed The Convention that adopt.
ed the Constitution, that it would con-
tinue to answer, in all reSpecls,t the chang.
ing condition Of the country.
Our veneration for the organic law ofI
the State, our respect for those who franz.
ed it, should not be carried SO far as to
tolerate palpable and acknowledged e.
wills, We should, therefore, inquire wbeth,
or there are any defects in the ConstitU.
lion, as adapted to our present condition,
Ind it so, whether they ale of a sufficient
magnitude 10 justify the call of Con.
,eRtiou, with the view of their removal.--
The only defect in the Constitution, as
applicable to our present condition which,
n my judgment, would justify a call of
Convention TO alter or amend il. cone
lists in the defective organization OF our
udical system, and the total inability of
he Supreme Court, under the existing
Orm OF the Constitution, to transact the
mass of business brought before ii. The
constitution limits the number Of Judges
# the Supreme Court to four, and re-. !!
lu'res to constitute quorum 10 do bu. J
mess, and directs that the supreme court
ball be held once year in each county
this stale. 1t is invested with origin
i and appellate jurisdiction, both in cons
non law and chancery in such cases as
hali Do directed by law, The statute
'as gwen this tribunal an extensive o.
ignaI and appellate jurisdiction: the
consequence is, II has become so 10 ad-
d down with business as TO render il imr >
ossible for the judges with all their '
nown industry and talents, 10 dispose Of u
in manner satisfactory to themsel YES o
with due regard to the legal rights of u
arties. They are forced TO continue a
auses after they have been prepared by P
10 parties for trial, for the want of time u
hear them; thus throwing on one or p
10 other party heavy bill of costs IN
hich might be entirely avoided under p
dical system differently organized. 1t o.
ould not be difficult to demonstrare, in 81
ference to our Supreme Court, that it Y
the most expensive judicial system in
9 United States. The amour. of costs h'
at are annually thrown upon liligants, &C
reason of the continuance of their sc
uses. for the want of time to try them, de
'uld, in the aggregate, far exceed the Y
'ount paid in any state in this Union TO Si
'intain its entire judicial system. II is te'
only an expensive system and bur. tn
nsome to the people, but, in its prac, tel
al bearings, produces, in most cases,
ay. snds in many, almost denial Of tb'
administration Of justice. The sys. Ba
0, at the time of adoption Of the Com me
ution, was adequate 10 the wants Of pri
people; but our condition, as civil on
immunity, is very different now to what ter
vas then. At that time thsre were but The
counties IN The State, with a popu- ins
on falling short of sixty ihousand.-- col
had but little wealth. very lim,ted paV