The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-06-25
z. OHIO, THURSDAY, JUNE 95. 1874
The New Constitution for Ohio.

The New Constitution for Ohio.
The fruit of several months labor in
during a part of which the
present Chief Justice of the United States !
presided, appears in the shape Of new
State constitution, which has just been
submitted to the people of Ohio for ae-
or rejection. The press OF Ohio
Is engaged in discussing the merits of the
instrument, and as many Of the changes
are radical 1t receives adverse as well as
favorable criticism But upon the whole
it Is so much Of an improvement upon the
constitution now in force that its adoption
may be regarded as more than probable
A special election has been appointed
for August IS 10 decide whether the new
constitution shall become the supreme law
of the State If it is approved oy the peo-
pie 1t will 60 into effect October l. The
following are the most important changes
or amendments that are made: First, as
to the proposed new State Legislature.
The Senate is to consist Of 81 and the
House OF Representatives of los members.
They will be chosen by the cumulative
vote in all counties where more than two
are to be elected. No person interested in
a contract is eligible. Per diem pay is
abolished, and fixed annual salaries are
substituted. No member can accept q
pass from any railroad or transportation
company. Annual sessions of the Legis-
lature are provided for. Joint resolutions
can be passed only by the recorded vote of
a majority of each branch of the Legisla-
ture, and the votes ordering bills to first
and second readings are to be taken by
yeas and nays, For the first time in the
history of the State the Governor is to
have the veto power, which can only be
overruled by three-ffths vote of both
houses. Hitherto the Chief Magistrate
has been little more than an ormental fig
ure head, with the privilege of making
recommendations to the Legislature, which
are usually treated with Indifference. An
other important right conferred upon the
Governor is that of vetoing any item in
the Appropriation Bill. He can thus
check personal jobs without rejecting the
whole bill. The yeas and nays of mem
bers are to be recorded on each item of an
| appropriation bill, and unless such item
receives vote of a majority of all the
members elect it shall be rejected. The
Legislature can vote no extra compensa'
ton to any officer public agent, or con-
tractor.
The election for State officers will take
place this year as usual on the seconC
| Tuesday in October, but hereafter all cleo
tions in the State will be biennial and OF
the Tuesday after the first Monday IN No
vember. The next election after that o
this year, therefore, will be on the 7th o
November 1876, which is the day fixed BY
act of Congress for the election of ali mem
bers of the Forty fifth Congress. On that
day, and on the corresponding day IN No
vember every second year thereafter, al
State, Congressional, Legislative, anC
County officers will be chosen. Womel
are not allowed to vote, as the strong
minded had fondly hoped, but they ar
eligible for all offices under the school law
except that of State Commissioner o
4 Schools, and may be appointed to any Of
fec not an elective one.
The changes in the court and judicis
procedure are numerous and important
The term of Office for the Supreme Cour
Judges is increased to ten years, and th
salaries are not to be less than S. 900 eac
| per annum. At the first election of thes
. Judges no person is to vote for more tha
three of the five judges to be elected. Tn
drunkenness of a judicial officer when off
ciallv engaged is To punished by removs
As the business of the Supreme Court he
accumulated so greatly thai 1t Is four yeal
| IN arrears, a SPECIAL commission Is Prov
ded for to clear the docket, and like con
J mission may be appointed once IN te
r years for the sane purpose II necessaI!
> A notable innovation Is, that IN suits 4
less than 500 the juries need not consl
l | of more than sir persons each. The IN
/ memorial prejudice IN favor Of twelve me-
therefore, is boldly assalled. I. Z,
The offices of Commissioners OF Publ
| | Works are abolished, and that of Superb
B tendent of Public Works substitute
Q County officers are to hold their position
9 four years, and areto be paid salaries, ar
. all fees will have to 60 into the loo
S treasures.
d The taxation upon all real and person
8 property will be assessed upon its mon,
o value at uniform late. Franchises al
d incomes derived from investments are
r be taxed when the property itself can n
! be reached, Banks are to be taxed up'
the capital employed and business dor
eil Counties and townships are for the fl
t. time made bodies corporate, to enable the
s TO sue and be sued. The indebtedness
/ any municipal corporation shall never e
70 ceed 8 per cent. of the taxable value Of
E? property within its limits without the co
III sent of three-fourths of the voters.
o, There are several amendments relati
&c to private corporations. In the elscti
y of directors cumulative voting Is autht
~ lied. Insurance companies are forbldd
'u to do business in the State If they atten
a. to remove suits brought against them
IN the State Courts to the United Sta
e. Courts. No officer or agent OF any co
lie pany owning or operating or using RI
KS road in Ohio shall be interesed, by hlDls
re or with others, in the receipts, contra'
ue or earnings of such company otherW
re than as an ordinary shipper or passeni
G. or as a stockholder, creditor, or emplo
ur nor in any arrangement that sEall AFT
Is more advantageous terms than are otfe
Vll or awarded to the public: al violations
.r- this section to be VOID. The eonsoldat
nd. of parallel or competing railroads IS :
IT. bldden. The issue of stock or bonds,
so cept for money or property actually
ceiyed or for labor done, Is also forbldo
ost Several articles are submitted to
ast people separately, and their rejection
las, not affect the constitution as whole.
in, most important of these are the questi
d's of licensing or prohibiting the sale of 8
,i- ituous liquors and prohibiting subscl
of tions to railroads by municipal corPt
;ay tions. These are the salient features
of the proposed constitution, and the pu
his. outside of as well as in Ohio viii Watcl
he fate with genuine interest.-NelO !
IN World. e
ity
i lI What Parker Heard.