Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-06-02
10 THE PEOPLE OF OHIO.

In less than one month you will be call
ed upon TO decide upon the constitution
which the Convention have submitted 10
you for your approval or rejection. That
decision should te made with candor and
upon proper examination Of the defects
OF the old constitution and the improve
sneHts made in the new.
The new constitution was fiamed by the
united labors and mature delberation of the
ablest men in the State. 1t was agreed up
on with unparalleled unanimity. Of the
hundred and eight members who composed
the Convention fourteen only voted against
its final adoption. Men Of all parties and
Of every diversity Of sentiment concured in
its provisions. This very fac, is no slight
presumption in its favor.
Bu, your decision should not be MADE
upon this ground. 1t should rest solely
apon the merits Of the new frame of gov.
ernment.
The question is: Does the new ronslitu-
ton reflect and embady the wishes and
will Of this penplei Let US examine:
1. The evils of the election of State Of
ficers by the Legislature has long been ap-
parent in this State. The people hnve
earnestly desired that the election of all
officers should be committed to their hands.
They are The source of oil power in civil
government. They are the governed, TO
them alone, should be entrusted the selec>
ton Of the officers by whom that govern.
men, is administered. In accordance
with this clearly expressed wish Of the peo
ple-in accordance with the fundamental
principles Of liberty, the new constitution
provides that all officers, Executive, Legis.
lative ond Judicial, shall be elected by the
people.
2. Al various times, in 10th branches
Of the General Assembly Of this State,
there has been grea, difficulty in effecting
on organization. For weeks the business
of the State has been delayed bv an equal
division of parties and the refusal Of either
10 give way to the other. Time and mon-
ey have been squandered-the public in>
terests sacrificed from the absence Of any
provision in the old constitution by which
IN organization could be effected and bust.
ness despatched in spite Of party prejudices
and party pride. For this evil the new
constitution has provided complete reme-
dy. The election of Lieutenant Govern.
or, who is by virtue of his office, President
of the Senate, will secure the organization
ofthat body. All factious delay is also
prevented by giving him the casting vote
in case of tie.
The organization of the House of Rep.
resentatives, is secured by requiring the
mode Of such organization to be prescribed
by law.
8. Upon the subject of a public debt the
New Constitution contains the most salu.
tary provisions, Experience has shown
that there is On almost inevitable propensi-
ty lin those who manage public affairs 10 be
lavish and unnecessary was,e-to secure
them, in the future, against an enormous
public debt like that which now impedes
the growth and prosperity Of our state. the
new constitution makes ample provision.
The General Assembly is prohibited from
contracting debt over seven hundred aud
fifty thousand dollars, except to repel inva-
sion, suppress insurrection, defend the
State in war, or 10 redeem the present out.
standing indebtedness Of the State.
4. Under the present constitution the
General Assembly has been in the habit OF
exercising judicial powers. At almost
every session, much of the time Of both
houses has been devoted to the discussion OF
questions of divorce. The public money
public time have been spent upon subject
exclusively priuats. The new consiitu-
ton absolutely prohibits the exercise oi
this power. .The General Assembly shall