The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-06-23

'embly. 1t is believed that by wise legis-
alton, in putting the system into effect,
t can be made to fully meet the public
lemand and expectation.
ARTICLE v.-THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.
The word "white," as a qualification of
electors, has been stricken out of the first
section. The existing provision that per-
sons stationed at any military or naval
station within the State shall not thereby
gain residence, has been substituted by
The general rule stated in section six, ap-
plicable to all cases of temporary pres
ence or absence. And in section seven
provision is made for the exercise of the
right of suffrage by electors in the militia
~ service of the United States.
ARTICLE yI.-ELECTION.
This Article is so amended as to provide
Section threel that women may be elected
to any school offices except that of State
Commissioner of Schools.
ARTICLE yI.-PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
The power of appointing the directors
Of public institutions is taken from the
and the government of all the
public institutions is remitted to the Gen
eral Assembly. In addition to the insti-
tutions established by the present Consti-
tuition, provisions for the incurable insane,
for reform school for boys, and house
Of discipline, are made permanent. 9th
er institutions are recognized in section
two, but their continuance is left at the
discretion of the General Assembly.
ARTICLE vIu.-PUBLIc DEBT AND PULIc
WORKS. ae.5-.
This Article has been amended by
adding to the seventh (7th) section pro-
vision forbidding the use of any part of
the sinking fund except in payment of
the State debt. In place of the present
Board, consisting of three members, one
superintendent of Public Works" is to
be elected every four years as long as may
be necessary. The sixth (6th) section of
this Article cuts off the use of public
money or credit, not only in any joint
stock company, corporation or associa-
ton, but also in the construction or pur-
chase by county, township, city or vii
lage, of any railroad or canal, even
though the sanfe be wholly owned by such
municipality. A clause entitled "Propo-
sition number two-Railroad aid," is
submitted in the Schedule separate from
other parts.of the Constitution, which, if
adopted, will modify section six (6) by
permitting the General Assembly to pass
laws authorizing public aid to companies
in the construction of railroads within
this State, subject to many conditions and
restrictions, of which the following are
perhaps the most important, to-wit: Such
aid can not be given by counties, but only
by townships, cities or incorporated vii
lagos, on vote of not less than two
thirds, and, in specific instances, three
fourths of the electors. Debts created for
such purposes shall never, at any one
time, exceed FIVE per cent. of the taxable
property of the township, city or village,
nor bear greater interest than seven per
cent; and taxes levied on account of such
aid or debts shall not exceed one per cent
of such taxable property in any year. The
part of the work on which the aid is to
be expended must be definitely located
before the election, and security given for
its completion before the aid is granted.
ARTTNT.E -TuE NSTrTTTA
The word "white" is stricken out of this
Article, 90 that all able-bodied citizens
shall be liable to military duty. Alimit-
ed exemption to those who have conscien-
tious scruples is allowed upon pay ment of
an equivalent into the school fund. All
officers above the rank of captain, except
the staff of general officers and colonies,
are hereafter to be appointed by the Gov
ernor; but major and brigadier generals
must be appointed with the advice and
consent of the Senate.
ARTICLE X.-COUNTIEs AND TOWNSHIPS.
Every county and township is declared
to be a body corporate, thus fixing their
hitherto indeterminate status in this re-
spect. Their organization, powers and
liabilities are to be prescribed by the Gen.
eral Assembly. County officers are to be
elected in November and for term not
exceeding four years-a change to con-
form to the biennial election system.
County auditors, treasurers, and prosecut.
ing attorneys are to be paid by fixed sal
aries, and not by fees. Township officers
are to be elected at such time as the Leg
islature may prescribe, and hold Office not
exceeding three years.
Power is also given to counties and
townships to levy local taxes and assess
ments for roads, bitches and water courses,
as we'll as police purposes.
ARTICLE xI.-MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS.
The new Constitution preserves all the
limitations upon municipalities contained
in the existing Constitution, and adds
others, as follows:
/. The General Assembly is required to
provide for classifying municipal corpora
tions in not exceeding six classes, and to
define the powers of each by general laws
applicable only to municipalities of. the
same class; and thus prevent the subter-
fuges by which special legislation has
been had for particular towns and vii.
lagos under the present Constitution.
2. No property can be- assessed more
than ten per cent. of its taxable value in
any one year, nor more than fifty per cent
of its highest taxable value in any ten
years. But this provision is not applica.
BILE to any city the debt of which already
equals ten per cent. of its tax duplicate,
until the next valuation of real estate fol
taxation.
8. The debt Of a municipal corporation
shall never be increased beyond five pei
cent. of its tax duplicate, unless the in.
crease and its object be authorized by
threefourths Of the electors of such cor.
poration; and the debt shall in no event
exceed ten per cent. of such duplicate
In computing the debt there is to be in,
cluded sum the interest of which at six
per cent. will yield the aggregate amount
of all rents paid by such corporation fol
parks or other leased property. This limi.
tation is qualified 30 as not to apply to
debts necessarily incurred for military
purposes in time of war; nor to debts in.
Cured to complete works already author
lied and actually begun; nor to corpora.
tion borrowing money in anticipation ol
assessments levied but not collected; mol
to a corporation the debt of which al.
ready exceeds ten per cent, until the first
valuation of real estate after the adoption
of tbo Noosf;tu+;nr t-aI ItI-i- q