The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-05-28
The New Constitution.

i 11e proposed Changes IEOm the
present Constitution which are i'm
portant may be briefly noted as fol-
lows:
In the Bill of Rights, insIead OF
holding the right to trial by Jury in
violate, it is provided that in certain
civil cases, where the amount in con-
tFoversy does not exceed 500, a jury
of not less than six persons shall be
sufficient.
Under the Legislative article, any
member of either House may enter a
formal protest on the journal against
any act or resolution every bill must
have separate readings on three differ
ent days, except the rule be suspended
by vote of three-fourths, on q call OF
the ayes and nays; the Governor is
given the veto power, subject to being
oVer-ruled by a three-fifths vote OF
both Houses; any member may call
for a separate vote by ayes and nays
on any item or items in appropriation
bills, which if they do not receive the
requisite majority, shall be stricken
cut; the number, duties. and compen-
sation of all officers of either House
are to be decided by the General As
sembly, and no payments be made to
employees not appointed according
: to law no provision authorizing ex-
penditures for purposes which have
been so ordered, nor shall more than
one class OF compensation be included
in any bill !; the impeachment trial of
the Governor shall be before the Chief
Justice of the Sapreme Court; the
regular sessions of the Legislature
will commence snnually on the first
| Wednesday in January; ratable de-
! ductiens will be made from the salaries
/ of members of the General Assembly
on account of unnecessary absence
I during any session. nos
| In the Executive Article the first
change is in the date of holding cleo
I tons, which has been changed from
October to November, to suit the law
of Congress which requires Repre-
sentatiYes to be- elected on the same
day in November. State elections
will be biennial instead OF. annual the
General Assembly may choose Chief
Executive officer for the State in case
of the death or disability. of both the
Governor and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS !;
the Northumberland is restricted
as President of the Senate, in cases of
tie, from voting upon any questions
relating to bill IN any stage thereof,
or upon joint resolutions requiring a
majority vote of Senators, or in con-
tested election cases, or in electfng an
United States Senator. .e,.4.s., ~. E.
1.-THE Judiciary Article presents so
many changes that they cannot be
noted in this articfe.1 i.ss9i ioana3
In The article on Elective Franchise
provision is made for receiving votes
of soldiers in volunteer service OUT
side the State, ..f'4' - i'iiH aotiAl
In the Educational Article women
are declared eligible to any office I'M
der the School Laws, except Commis-
sioner of Common Schools. 5fa@
The article on Public Debt and Pub
lie Works, abolishes the Board of
Public Works, as composed of three
members, and provides for a Superin-
tendent of Public Works only, whose
term of Office shall be four years. 5stii
By the Militia Article, persons hav-
ing conscientious scruples against
bearing arms, shall not be compelled
to perform military duty in time of
peace, but shall pay into the school
fund an equivalent in money. aaIas
The Article on County and Town
ship organizations, proposes to give
County Auditors, Treasurers and
Prosecuting Attorneys salaries, in
stead of fees. Money received by tax
alton, loan or assessment in a county
or township cannot be diverted from
one purpose to be expended for an
other. 7t' 80 4o
The changes in reference to Munici-
pal Corporations are principally con-
corning taxation.
Assessments shall net be leyied to
exceed ten per cent per year, nor to
aggregate more than fifty per cent. in
ten years. Corporation indebtedness
is not to be allowed to exceed five per
cent, of the valuation on the tax du-
plicate, without three-fourths vote
of the electors of the corporation, and
in no case to exceed ten per cent
This, however, is limited SO that levies
may be made for all work undertaken
heretofore, and that it will not be en-
forced until after a new valuation shall
be had. siiof
The article on Private Corporations
forbids the consolidation of competing
railroad lines requires local freight
and fares on railroads to be graduated
on scale of through business restricts
the in serest which may be owned by
officers and agents; and requires for
eign corporations to maintain an agent
and officer in the State against whom
legal service may be had.
Under the head of Revenue and
Taxation, the deduction of debts from
credits is permitted.
Under the head of Miscellaneous,
clause is inserted to prevent Legislative
judicial, State or county officers from
accepting free railroad passes. There
is also section making it the duty of |
the General Assembly to secure, as far
as possible the lives, health and safety |
of miners. ~
The three separate propositions un-
der the new Constitution, are Minor |
ity Representation in the case of !
Judges of the Supreme aud Circuit |
Courts when three or more are to be |
chosen to the same Court; Railroad t
Aid and concerning the Traffic in In
toxicating Liquors.