Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-03-24
The New Constitution.

We published this instrument last wsek,
and doubtless, ere this, its importance has
secured for il an attentive perusai by all cf
eur readers. We have already intimated
that, although it did not contain all the pro-
visions that We should liked to have seen iu
the Consultation Of one Of tho FIRST States Of
The Union, yet II embraces enough mems
ures Of feferm 10 commend II to our hearty
approval and support. From the tone Of the
press and from the expression Of the pee
pie, so far as we can gather it thus early.
it will meet with but little opposition but
will be adopted by tremendous majority.
The whig papers End some things in it to
condemn, as was to be expected from those
who had 80 long and earnestly contended
for oestsd rights and special privileges; !;
but its provisions in relation to corporations
and corporation taxation are too manifestly
just and right for them to dare to attack it
upoa that ground, notwithstanding they
have battled earnestly against these reforms
on the stump, in their press, and in the halls
Of legislation. The new Constitution aims
death blow at the evil of which the De.
nocracy have so long aud so Justly com.
planned. Under the old Constitution the
State had become corporation ridden, and
every years legislation but served to in-
crease the powers and franchises Of the
privileged orders" and to curtail those Of
the people. To check this, with other grow
ing evils, the Democracy had contended for
years for Convention to frame new con-
stitution. They have secured what they
have so long sought, and what the friends
Of special privileges have 80 long endeavor-
ed to prevent, for under the new Constitu-
ton the Legislature is specially prohibited
from passing any special act comforting COR
porate powers, but all such acts must be
general and open alike to all, and at all
times subject to repeal, when they are found
to operate injuriously to the public veal.
The provisions in regard to Bank and
corporation taxation will meet the hearty
concurrence of the friends Of equality,
and, faithfully executed, will compel
the corporation lords to 10 an act Of jutics
to the people and the State, from which the
friends Of special privileges have SO long
endeasorsd to shield them, and will thus
save TO the Treasury from one 10 two hun
drsd thousand dollars annually from which
special legislation has exempted them.
The provision respecting the right Of way
securing 10 the private individual full
compensation for property taken for eorpo-
rate use,--those in regard to the individual
liability Of stockholders, in regard to the
State debt, the assumption Of the debts Of
cities, towns and counties; for the election
all officers by the people. cannot fail to be
favorably received by a vast majority Of
the people. 4 '5f
There are other provisions which we re-
gard as decided improvements upon the
old, but which we have not the time in this
brief article to snumerate. as
We have said that there were many pro.
visions omitted which we should have been
glad to have seen in this Instrument; but
whatever may be omitted, and whatever
may be defective, may be easily supplied
and speedily remedisd whenever the people
shall demand it. The great fundamental
principles which it embodies are just and
right, and cannot fail to meet the approba-
ton Of the intelligent, justice loving people
Of the great Buckeye State.