The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-04-03
OHIO.
THE NEW CONsrITUrION.

Inc Constitution just framed anu submitted 10
the people Of Ohio for acceptance embraces six
teen articles, which are divided into one hundred
and eighty eight sections Its most notable fea-
lures are as follows:
l. Bill Of Righs-Freedom Of Religion, Equal
ty Of Political Rights, Trial by Jury, guarantee
of the Habeas Corpus, Freedom of Speech and Of
the Press, No Imprisonment for Debt, &c, &c, are
abundantly assured in this article
? Legislature Senators and Representatives
are to be chosen biemiaily, on the second Tuesday
10 October 1851, '53, &c, and to hold their sta
tons for two years from the LIST day Of January
ensuing They must have resided in their re-
spective districts for one year next preceding
their election. Officers Of the United States or
persons holding lucrative posts under the State
Government are declared ineligible ditto persons
hereafter convicted of embezzlement. Two men,
bers may call the yeas and nays on any PROPOSE
ton, and no bill shall be finally passed except by
yea and nay vote and majority Of all the mem
bers chosen TO each House in it's favor. vote Of
three fourths is required to suspend the rule
which requires every bill to be read three times
on three separate days No extra compensation
shall be paid to any officer contractor in any case
and no private claim bill can pass except by vote
of two.thirds Of all the members chosen to each
House. The Legislature can grant no divorce,
nor create any new County containing less than
four hundred square miles, unless the County d.
vided shall contain 100 900 inhabitants end in
all cases any change of County lines must be sub
mitted TO and approved by majority OF the peo-
pie in each County affected thereby. Regular
sessions Of the Legislature commence on the first
Monday in January, 1852, "a, and 30 on.
ELeciaire--A Governor, Lieut.. Governor
Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney
hall No oh h,f IN tuo
years and an Auditor for four years. These off,
GERS have all the ordinary powers except that the
Governor has no Veto. He may call extra SEES
sions of the Legislature, snd may adjourn that
body in case Of disagreement between the two
Houses We find no restrictions on the free
choice of the people, save that the Governor shall
hold no other office, State or Federal.
| /. Judei0ry--A Supreme Court Of five Judges,
chosen by the whole people twenty-seven Com
mon Pleas Judges chosen by rs many Districts,
but serving in nine Districts; District Courts to
be composed Of one Supreme and two or more
Common Pleas Judges a Probate Court consist
ing of Judge of Probate in each County, elected
by the people for three years; with "a compe-
tent number of Justices in each township" lpity
il could not truly read "a number of competent
justices u - these form the Judicial force of the
State. The Justices of the Peace hold for three
and the Supreme and Common Pleas Judges for
fv years, except that one Supreme Judge is to
go out of office annually, the first five being class
ed by lot.
s. Elective Ftaachise-Every free white male
adult citizen is a voter lie must have resided in
the State year, but the term of residence in
County, Town, or City Ward, is to be fixed by
law. Elections uniformly by ballot. The Legs-
lature may dsfranchise for bribery, perjury or
other infamous crime United States soldiers
acquire no residence by being stationed in the
State. Idiots aud insane persons may not vote
g. Education principal Of all lands or
funds ntrusted to the State for Educational pur-
poses TO remain forever undiminished; and the
Legislature shall provide by taxation or other
wise, for "a thorough and efficient system of Com
mon Schools "-[th word STREE" unfortunately
omitted
7. Public Taaamions.--I Institutions for the In
sane, Blind, Deaf and Dumb, shall always be sup
ported by the State. The Legislature shsll
pervise and control them.
g. Public Debt 8c--No debt exceeding $3.50, 900
shall henceforth be created, except in case of
war or public danger. No loaning Of State Credit
or assumption of City or other Debts The inter
est Of the present Debt shall be punctually paid
and enough shall be raised by taxation to pay, in
addition thereto 500 900 of the principal the first
year, 800 900 the second, SO, until the whole
be paid The Board of Public Works shall con-
sist Of three members all chosen, ut once first,
and one annually thereafter, to hold for three
years.
g. MilIia-All White Male Citizens between
IS and As to he enrolled In the Militia. Officers
up to Major Generals to be chosen by those sub
ject to Military duty.
10 Tomn and County OHers--Township off
GERS to be chosen annually on the first Monday in
April; County, ditto on the second Tuesday in
October, and for three years unless otherwise pro-
vided by law. No person eligible for Sheriff or
County Treasurer more than four years in any
six.
II. appointments Senate is to consist Of
thirty-fye Members and the House of one hun
bred, each to be apportioned every tenth year.
The Senate Districts for the first ten years are to
be as follows