American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1856-01-17

jcnty by which the eight Representatives
from Hamilton are elected may be less than
that which elects the single Representative
from Morrow.
Let the same plural district be compar-
ed also, with a number of sihgle districts.
having the same aggregate representation
in the more numerous branch Of the Gen
eral Assembly. Hamilton county occupies
the south western part of the State. FIT
teen counties in the Northwestern part Of
the State, constitute eight single districts
The Representative OF these districts, sep
arately elected& separately responsible, are
often divided; while tie Representatives
from Hamilton. elected together, and COM
paraiively irresponsible, act together and
in concert. While, therefore, in the choice
of a Senator Of the United States, and up
on many other questions. Hamilton u
ty, with her undivided representation, will
have, practically. eight votes; the fifteen
northwestern counties, their Representa-
tves being equally divided, may have,
practically, none.
For the sake OF perspiCuity, limit this
EOilI HhI i'Ou w ~ nv ~ L
resentatiye Districts. Yourowh reflections
will extend it to tho arrangement of Dis
tricls for the choice Of Senators.
1t hardly needs to be remarked that the
existing system. while thus unjust to the
counties arranged in single districts, is pre-
judicial 10 the interests OF the more popu-
lous counties themselves. lis necessary
tendency is to excite jealousics in portions
of the State against other portions which
must prove hurJful, 1t fails, also to secure
in the plural districts. a satisfactory repre-
senta:on Of tho various interests and Senti-
ments Of the people. In tho county Of
Hamilton, for example, the political minor
lily, however considerable and respectable,
ran have no adequate representation
Townships and Wards, with populations
which, with a system OF single districts,
would entiile them to separate Representa-
lives, are liable to have their political in
%teIests and views overlooked and disre-
eardcd under the pressure Of political ext
gencies. Constituents cannot well know
their Representatives, and Representatives
are absolved in 4 great measure, from
their individual responsibilities to their
constituents. The demands Of the peo-
pie, under such circumstances, will neccs-
sally be subordinated TO the demands Of
political organizations and the public good
must often yield to party necessities.
That n system Of single districts will
prove an absolute remedy for all these po-
%iilical evils, no one. perhaps, will adven-
turc TO suspect. | am fully persuaded,
however, that it would secure a much
more perfect popular representation than
we have at present, and | therefore recon-
mend that an amendment to the Constitu
ton providing such system. be submitted
to the people for their adoption or reject
ion.
Whilo the true principles Of p%opularg gov
eminent thus require the most complete
and perfect representation Of tho people
which is attainoblo, they require also, and
no less imperalively, frequently meetings
of tie representative Legislature, for the
thorough supervision of administrative
action, for the prompt remedy of evils,
and for the duo provision of necessary
means and measures for guarding The pub
lie interest and promoting the public well.
fare.
Tho existing Constitution authorizes on.
" bienial sessions except in eases when
tho Governor. W IN extraordinary occas-
ions may deem himself warranted in con
vening the Legislature.
Under this provision the whole admins
It.ot... ,,,u,.r nf flo Gtot, =, I,ft f,r ~,
years in tho hands Of the Executive and
judicial departments without Legislative
check or limitation. There can be no ina
parchment or removal, during that period,
of any State officer for any cause, however
urgont. The constitutional responsibility
Of State officials, to the immediate repre-
sentatives Of the people, is thus, in great
part, practically nulliied. A profound
writer has well observed that every de-
parturc from annual legislative sessions ID
an approach towards irresponsible govern
mcnt and dcspotiSm.
Numerous occasions must necessarily
arise, in n State SO large rs ours, from past
legislative acts or omissions as well as from
various contingencies ofother descriptions,
which, in the aggregate, will imperitvely
require the attention of tho Legislature,
although no one Of them may constitute
such an extraordinary occasion as will
warrant tho exercise of the special power
vested in tho Governor. Expedicncy,
therefore, no less than principle, seems tc
recommend annual rather than biennia
SESSIONS.
There ars some collateral cons idora
tons, tending to the same conclusion
which should not be overlooked.
The present constitution allows no a
mendment of its provisions, except sucl
as may be agreed to by three-fflhs Of the
members of each House, and by a MAORI
: ty oftho electors voting at the mex election
for Senators and representatives. 1t fol
lows that no amendment of the Corstitu
ton can be made, however unanimously
sanctioned by the Legislature or demand
ed by the people, until two years after i
shall have been proposed. The substitu
ton Of annual for biennial sessions will ne
cessarily require annual elections for Sen
ators and Representatives,, and will thu
remove this needless and disparaging 70
%s,riction upon the exercise Of the pOpula
sovereignty.
1t 50 happens, also, that the terms Of tn
/, Senators from this State in the Congress
+ Of the United States, expire during the Sc
cond years of the biennial period. Eve
; ~ election of Senator, therefore, while on
State Constitution shall remDin unamend