The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-03-09
The New Constitution,


form new Constitution. takes place on the first
Monday in April and the Importance of the sub
ject demands that we should act with prudence
and thorough understanding of what
about in the selection of Delegates. 1t is an inn
portant and arduous duty that will devolve upon
the Convention to form Constitution suited to the
wants and genius of two millions of Freeman and
in the selection of Delegates, we should look
cusively to their qualifications and fitness for the
office, throwing aside all party considerations or
preferences In fact no man who is violent pol
itican, should be selected as Delegate for ten to
one, such would allow the pre- udices of par
ty TO get the upperhand of him, and influence him
to favor bis particular views party in the forma
ton of that instrument Men should be sent to the
Convention, who will not let such paltry consider
ations influence them in theirlabors; men who will
have an eye single to the good ofthe whole peo-
ple and who will use their endeavors to secure the
greatest good to the greatest nu mbers.
We have been repeatedly asked what changes
will probably be made in the present Constitution
of the State Without fully endorsing them, We
publish the following views of Judge Wright, one
of the editors of the Cincinnati Gazette, Ga very
able man,) as the principal measures that will be
considered by the Convention:
The Chief Executive power should be con6ded
to Governor, to be elected for two years. He
should be at least 80 years old, citizen of the
United States and have resided in the State at least
five years. There should be Lieutenant Govern
or elected for the time, and have the same
qualifications He should preside in the Senate,
and, in case the Office of Governor shall become
vacant, he should perform the duties of Governor,
for the residue of the term.
The law making power should be confided to
General Assembly composed of Senate of not ex-
ceeding fifty members and House of Represen-
tatives of not exceeding 101 members. They
should be citizens of the States and residents of
the district they represent The Senators should
be at least 80 years old-the members of the House
at least 81 years old The Senators should serve
twice the period of the members of the House. and
a portion go out of Office every year. All should
be elected in single DISTRICTS to be fixed every five
years, and not changed at any intermediate period.
The General Assembly should sit annually, the lst
Monday of january. At the end of the first so
days OF the session, their pay should be reduced
third and another third at the end Of each Of
the two succeeding 80 days.
The Judiciary should consist of Courts of Law
and Chancerv to be elected by the people for fixed
terms. Say Il Supreme Court of Law, composed
of three Judges two to constitute quorum. A
Chancellor, to be elected for the same term. The
Judges and Chancellor to be so calassed that only
one of them shall be elected at election. The
Supreme Courts to have Jurisdiction only in mat
tiers of law and to hold Court of Errors at least
once year in at least four districts, to be desig
mated by the Legislature The Chancellor to hold
term at least once year in the same districts,
for the hearing Of Chancery cases These four to
constitute Court of Appeals, for the decision of
difficult cases from the Supreme Court or the Chan
cery Court, and to sit once year at the seat of
Government They should have fixed salaries, be
elected for twelve years. and be ineligible to a
election, until out of office at least two years. Dis
trict Courts of one Judge each, should be formed
in convenient circuits, to have common law and
Chancery Jurisdiction, and to be elected in their
respective districts, for period of seven years.
In counties where there is too much business for
one Court, the Legislature to provide other Courts
of one Judge each to be elected for the same term,
and NAV assign to such new Court or Courts the
criminal jurisdiction the Chancery jurisdiction,
as may most conduce to the public convenience
Judges of Probate should be elected in each coun-
ty for seven years, to exercise jurisdiction in cases
connected with the settlement of decedents Estates
and guardian and ward. He should also grant
marriage licenses, and keep records of marriages
and deaths. His office should be always open.-
He should keep his records, and be paid by
fees to be fixed by law.
The Associate Judges should be Abolished
The miscellaneous business now confded the Court
of Common Pleas, should be exercised by Coun-
tv Board, similar to our Boards of Commissioners.
The present system of Justice of the Peace is per
haps, as good as we can expect