The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-06-04

IL approacneu tnat point very Slowly.
consider it right to tax property employed
in Banking as other property is taxed. II
the charters of ofexisting banks exempts them
from equal taxation, let them escape, ,if,hey
will by that means; the Convention has
shown its will to bring them under that rule.
Have we not been long enough tributary
to such institutions?
An effectual bar is put to further increae
Of State Indebtedness, and measures taken
to liquidate the old debt.
Future amendments will be made with
out the trouble and expense Of calling an
other Convention. Experience will prove
the impolicv or defects in many provisions
in all probability, of the Constitution; then
it can be amended and altered to meet the
wants of the people.
Now is all this to pass for nothing, and
the work 10 be thrown away, because of
the defects of the instrument, or because
some of its provisions are unfair and un.
just to us as party.
II would have been much more satsfac-
tory to Us, if the Convention had termina-
ted IFS labors with those salutary amend
ments; but this matter was not under our
control.
What are the great Objectionable fea-
lures OF this Instrument!
Undoubtedly the greatest objection TO
the new Constitution, is the article on corr
poratlons, as it requires stockholders to
become liable, if necessary, to pay debts,
for an amount as large again as the amount
Of the stock. This in my opinion is wrong,
at least so far as internal improvements
may be concerned. TWAS, however. con.
sidered by us, that in nearly every part OF
the State sufficient charters had been al
ready procured, which for several years
would keep works Of internal improvement
in great activity, which could in no way be
effected by the adoption of the new Con-
stitution, and that by the time that new
charters for such purposes would be re-
quired to any great extent, the Constitution
would be amended in that particular. Such
is still my expectation and belief.
The State Central Committee has as
sumed fact in respect to this article,
which think is without foundation,
that these stringent provisions on corpora
tions were got up and passed for the ben
eft of Hamilton county; that she>has done
this in order to make the remainder Of the
State tributary to her. This would seem
to be done TO excite your prejudices agains,
the county of Hamilton, or rather as be-
lieve, against the city of Cincinnati. The
Committee assume that Hamilton county
. has obtained all the internal improvements
, she desires venture 10 assert, that al
; this moment that Hamilton county wants
. more of such Improvements than any other
two counties in the State, and it must be
evident that the city OF oiCincinnat is vital
t ly interested in almost every improvement
7 ofthe kind in the State. That city is much
r more interested in the great thoroughfares
. OF the State, and many out Of it, than the
: particular counties traversed by them else.
r where.
t 1t would seem to be bad policy to stir up
4 such sectional jealousies at this time, as
S will presently show. Did the Committee
l consider the last vote given on this as a
: separate proposition by the Hamilton coun'
I ty members!
: We are naturally led 10 inquire, who are
3, those persons making this charge agains
: Hamilton county? Those persons whose
. names are appended to the address had nc
authority as Sale Central Committee to
medde with the subject: they were not ap
t pointed for any such purpose. Viewing
: them as mere citizens, they appear TO be
u with few exceptions, residents Of Frank
lin county, and the paper would seem tc
e have come from the city Of Columbus. We
: cannot shut our eyes on the fact, that thi:
= most beautiful and nourshing city ha:
r grown up pretty much on the patronage o
}. the State, and that the citizens Of that place
i have by means best known to themselves
induced the Legislature TO commence ant
: partly erect an immense State House, which
: in the end will cost the taxpayers over on'
= million of dollars Such a building wa:
S not required for tine use Of the State, but
!, will greatly embelish the city.
}, 1t is true that the city Of Cincinnati no
r Hamilton county, has an immense inhu
It ence over the whole State. This influence
: that great city has acquired by the indus
o try Of her citizens and natural advantages
without that proportionate aid that mos
: other places have enjoyed from Banking
: facilities. With US, then, this attempt tc
= prejudice us against the city Of Cincinnati
/; should pass unheeded.
i As to the repeal clause, it only operate
e on future legislation, and it twill be remark
y ed that all corporations must be created b,
y general laws, and not by special acts
n The General Assembly have always exer
cised the power OF repeating general laws
v This very provision will probably save al
: the corporations from legislative interie
r renee, and leave them to be dealt with b.
If the Judiciary.
i As to the Senatorial apporionment, it i
IF not as fair as it ought to have been; in
n deed in my opinion it ought not to hav'
IS been a,temp pied by the Convention. Wha
| .o,,o, hoya ,uo 10 oxDacf opu hoffer oni