Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-05-21

IDLY increasing IN population, IN wealth,
in manufactures and in commercials
and mineral resources are
being so rapidly disclosed, and improved,
that much and frequent legislation is re
quired in order to regulate and foster
these great and growing interests. Nor
is the necessity of frequently convening
the representatives of the people confined
to these considerations alone.
To support the government-to meet
the Pecuniary obligations of the State
to educate the rising generation-to keep
the numerous public roads and bridges
in repair-to support the poor and un-
fortunate-give sight TO the blind-a
tongue TO the mute-and a rational soul
to the insane, require the collection and
disbursement, annually, of large sums of
money; and all experience concurs in es-
tablishing the truth that large sums Of
money shoull not be entrusted to the
custody or control of any agent, without
a frequent supervision of his accounts.
And it is not easy 10 determine the
amount of appropriations required for
these various purposes two years in ad-
vance.
These and other considerations, which
the committee forbear to enumerate, i'm
periOusly require annual sessions of the
General Assembly.
The committee are decidedly of Cpin-
ion that the establishment of single dis
tricis for the election of Senators and Rep
resentatives is the only mode by which
the opinions and will of the people can
be fairly and fully expressed in the Gene
raj Assembly. Under any other system,
the large districts which elect many rep.
resentatives, often by very small majori-
ties, have the same advantage, in poinI
of influence, over the districts that elect
but one each, that an organized force,
acting in concert, has o, er an equal mum.
Der of men acting without concert, each
for himself.
The committee have thus pointed oui
some of the most material defects of the
present constitution. Defects, which, in
their opinion, prevent the free action oi
the people on important measures relat-
ing to their interests, and lie up the hands
of their Representatives in their efforts to
remedy existing evils, or to provide for
the pressing wants ola great and growing
State.
Had not the General Assembly resolv.
ed to hold an adjourned session, the com.
mittee would have deemed it their duty
to prepare and present to the two Houses
such amendments to the constitution as
they believe to be required by the public
good. But no vote of the people can be
taken on the amendments presented 10
them, under the provisions of the pres
ent constitution, until the second Tues
day of October, 1857 so that postpon-
ing the subject until the adjourned sess-
ion will not delay the final action of the
people on the subject, the committee
have deemed it bes. not 10 attempt to
mature any amendments to the constitu.
ton until the adjourned session.
In the meantime, an opportunity will
be afforded for a free interchange of
opinions between the members of the
General Assembly and their constituents,
in relation TO changes in tie constitution
the practical operation of such laws as
have been, or may be passed, at the
present session for the relief of the peo-
pie and the prevention of abuses will be
better known, and consequently the
General Assembly will be better able
then than now to Judge what amend
ments to the constitution the wishes and
the good of the people demand.
1t may not, however be improper to
call the attention Of the members of the !
Two Houses, and of the people of the
State, to some of the amendments which |
he committee deem important to the
public veal by brief recapitulation of
he views hereinbefore expressed. They
lre-
First-Annual sessions Of the General |
Assembly.
Seeond-The election of Senators and
by single districts.
TRird-The election of members of
he House of Representatives annually,
heir term of service being one year
nd of Senators biennaIly, their term of
ervice being two years, and so classified
hat the term OF service Of one-half the
lumber will expire, and their places be
lied annually.
F0urth-Authorizing the General As
embly 10 enact such laws as will i'm
ose the burdens of taxation upon prop
rty and credits according to their real
alue, more equally than the provis-
ms of the present constitution will per-
lit.
Eyih-Authorizing the General As
,mbly to make such alterations in the a.,
ldiciary system as may be found me-
,ssary to secure a more prompt. Ell
ent, and economical administration of
stice.