The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-08-06
New Constitution meeting.


There was very fair turnout TO the
meeting held at Citizens Hall on Sat.
urday evening 10 discuss The merits Of
The new constitution, though the at.
tendance was nothing like what the
importance OF the subject demanded
! for there is scarcely citizen of the
state whose interests for many years
will not be in some degree affected by
the adoption or rejection of that in
strument, and no one should cast bis
vote upon so important a measure
without an impartial and candid ex-
animation of the subject. Though
several speakers were announced the
only speech made at the meeting was
BY Hon. j. d. Horton, who thorough
ly reviewed. the whole subject, point
ing out the various changes and i'm
provements made in the present in
strument and answering the most i'm
poriant objections 10 its adoption.
Among the important changes which
he thought ought TO commend the
new Constitution to the favorable con-
sideration and endorsement of the
people of the Stale he noticed and
discussed at considerable length the
following:
The provision for a separate vote
upon each item of all appropriation
bills, when demanded by any member
of the Legislature, whereby the prac-
tice of attaching Objectionable and
fraudulent measures to these bills
made in the closing days of session
and forced through under the plea of
necessity is prevented. This provis-
ion will place it in the power of any
member to demand the yeas and nays
upon any part OF such bill and place
every member fairly and squarely up
on the record, and thereby prevent
much of the peculation and plunder
that is practised in some states and is
possible under the present constitu-
ton.
lie discussed at considerable length
the provision subjecting foreign cor
porations doing business in Ohio to
the jurisdiction of the State Courts,
instead of permitting them to drag
citizens from their own counties to
suffer the Inconvenience, perplexity
and expense of adjuticating their
claims in the United States District or
Circuit Courts. He also briefly allud-
ed to the provision, preventing rail-
road companies from making discrim
nations against local freights.
The reorganization of our judicial
system he deemed a matter of urgent
and absolate necessity reform that
was demanded by the people, and one
of the chief objects for which the Con-
vention was called. The necessity of
this change was made manifest in the
overburdened calendar of the Supreme
Court whose business is now three or
four years behind and growing worse
everv year, aid from the fact that no.
body, neither lawyers nor clients are
satisfied with the present system.
The Limitation of the power of local
taxation, which will prevent the local
authorities throughout the State from
the people with heavy
taxes and unbearable debts, he regard
ed as a wise provision and one which
would save to the people in a few
years many millions of dollars.
But we did not intend to review
Mr.. Horizons speech or to give an out
line of it, and have already said more
than we designed when we commenc-
ed this article.
He discussed other matters at some
length. and in speech of an hour and |
a half presented many powerful and |
arguments i'll favor of the
adoption of the new Constitution.
After Mr.. Ii. had concluded a call |
was made by the chairman of the
A. Jackson, for any one hav-
ing any views to urge upon the other
side of the question to come forward,
but no one responded.
The meeting adjourned to Friday
evening next when it is expected that
Hon. S. o. Griswold of Cleveland
will be present and address the people.
It is hoped that every citizen will man
fest his interest in this subject by his
presence. An opportunity will be
given to the opponents of the new
to be heard, so that none
leed stay away.
LAST Sunday evening in the midst