The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-06-04
Voters Of Harrison County,


Remember that on the l7th Of June the
vote viii be taken on the New Constitution.
Are you prepared to cast your ballot in fa-
vOr of il? We hope 50. But to those who
have thought of voting against it we would
have word to say.
1t iswell known that the old Constitution
was framed at time when the population
Of the State did not exceed fifty thousand.
Nov, however, there are about two millions
of inhabitants, and consequently the eircum-
stances and business affairs of the people,
and the Constitution Of the State has chang
ed, and to quote the language of the Banner,
new questions of State policy of vital impor-
tance have arisen, not anticipated when the
old Constitution was formed. The financial
system of the state has proved to be loose
and dangerous one, and has loaded the peo.
pie with an almost intolerable burden o
taxation. The judicial system under the
old Constitution, is not only most expen
sive and defective one, but totally made
quate to the demands of justice. The delay
cost and difficulties incident to proceeding,
in our courts at this time, in a great variety
of cases, amount to total denial of justice
and occasion large portion of the county
taxes imposed on the people. These difficul
ties are remedied by the new Constitution
The financial system is placed under propet
regulations, and provisions made which vii
tighten the taxation of the people from tho
very start, and yet at the same time provides
certain and infallible process for the grad
ual payment of the State debt. The number
of judicial officers for the whole State is re
duced one hundred and sixty-one, and tn,
cost of the judicial system to the State anC
county treasures in its operation, sayin!
nothing of the relief to suitors at court, vii
be lightened not short of two hundred thou
sand dollars a year, by the new Constitution
Delay, and vexatious accumulations of cost
are the great evils Of our judicial system un
der our present Constitutlon---many judge
and but little capability of business, In tn
Supreme Court there are four judges, bu
they can hold but one court at a time in tn
State But under the new Constitution, on
Supreme Judge is added to the number; bu
each of the five Supreme Judges, aided b
two of the Common Pleas Judges, can hol
court at the same time. So that the Su
preme Court on the circuit, or District Cour
as it is called can be held at five differer
places in the State at the same tines
that in the Supreme Court alone, while on
only is added to the number, the jadicii
capability is Increased fve-fold.
The Legislative branch of the Govcmmen
which has been broken up several times, an
which has brought us to the very verge
anarchy and civil war, on account of part
contests about the apportionmcnt laws, is G
fectually reformed by this new Constitution
The apportonmcntsyStcm is such that Wing
at least, should not complain; for take I'll
political maps of the State, and count up IL
political majorities of each county at eac
, State election, for the last ten years, and
will be found that under this apponionme
system the Wings would have had majori
in both branches of the Legislature, six o
of the ten years.
f But it is said that We have prospered al
done well under the old Constitution. Y
the people of Ohio, with their rich resou
,ces, and favorable location, would have pro
pered and grown rapidly in numbers almo
without any government, or even under
very bad government. But no intelligel
and honest man can deny that our old Coz
stitution is defective, and imposes evils upc
the people, which are remedied by the ne
Constitution.