The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-01-26
THE PBRRYSBURG JOURNAL.

the choice of senator of the u. States, and
upon many other questions, Hamilton county
with her undivided representation, will have,
practically, eight votes, the fifteen northwest
ern counties, their representatives being
equally divided, may have, practically, none
For the sake of perspicuity, limit this COM
parlson to the arrangement OF the representa-
tive districts. Your own reflections will ex
tend it to the arrangement of districts for
the choice of senators.
1t hardly needs to BE- remarked that the ex-
isting system, while thus uni just to the coun-
ties arranged in single districts, is prejudi
cial to the interests of the more populous
counties themselves. It's necessary tenden-
cy is to excite jealousies in portions of the
state against other portions, which must
prove hurtful. II fails, also to secure, in
the plural diStricts,a satisfactory representa-
ton of the various interests and sentiments
of the people. In the county Of Hamilton,
for example, the political minority, however
considerable aud respectable, can have no ad-
equate representation. Townships and wards
with populations which, with system Of
single districts, would enttla them to sepa~
rate representatives, are liable to have their
particular interests and views overlooked
and disregarded under the pressure of polit-
lCdl eNlSellCAGS COuSlltuelllS CdllllOL w cll
know their representatives, and representa-
tives are absolved, in great measure, from
their individual responsibilities to their CON
stituents. The demands of the people, un-
der such circumstances, will necessarily be
subordnated to the demands Of political or
carnations, and the public good must often
| yield TO party necessities.
That system Of single districts will prove
an absolute remedy for all these political
evils, no one, perhaps, will venture to ex-
pect. am fully persuaded, however, that
it would secure much more perfect popu-
i lar representation than we have at present,
and therefore recommend that an amend
ment to the constitution, providing such a
system, be submitted TO the people for their
adoption or rejection. While the true prin-
Icples Of popular government thus require
the most complete and perfect representation
Of the people which is attainab!e, they re-
quire also, and no less mparativeIy, frequent
meetings of the representative legislature
for the thorough supervision of adminislra-
tive action. for the prompt remedy Of evils
and for the due provision OF necessary means
!, and measures for guarding tha public inter.
est and promoting The public welfare.
Tha existing consultation authorizes only
/ biennial sessions, except in cases, when tn.
tgOvernor, upon extraordinary occasions may
deem himself warranted in specially conven
ing the legislature.
Under this provision the whole admins
, lrativc power of the state is left for two
years in the hands Of the executive and in
licial departments, without Legislative checl
| or limitation. There can b. no impaach
ment or removal, during that period, of any
: state officer for any cause, however urgent
The constitutional responsibility Of stat
. officials, to the immediate representatives. 0
! the people, is thns, in great part, practically
s nulliel. A Aprofound writer has well obsary
, ed that every departure from animal lagj5la
= tive sessions is an approach towards irraSpon
! sibe government and despotism. Nlmer
! Gus occasions must necessarily arise, in
S state so large as ours, from past iegislaliv
acts or omissions, as we'll as from varou