The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-06-23
gpirit 1T Dp1uotratq
SUPPLEMENT.

TO THE
PEOPLE OF OHIO.
The undersigned, in obedience to the
order of the Constitutional Convention,
submit for your consideration a statement
of the more material amendments of the
organic law OF the State proposed in the
new Constitution. We have sought to
state only the substance of the changes,
without giving at large the reasons which
commend them.
ARTICLE 1.-THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
Except in sections five, eight and ten,
this Article is substantially unchanged.
These sections are so amended that in
suits for less than one hundred dollars the
jury need not consist of more than six
persons; the writ of habeas corpus can be
suspended only in such manner as shall
be prescribed by law; and suits cannot be
brought BY publication unless the Court
shall be satisfied that the residence and
postofice address of the party cannot be
found, 40 that he shall have actual notice.
ARTICLE 1.-THE LEGISLATURE.
The amendments proposed in this Arti-
Gle will have most decided effect upon
the future legislation of the State.
/. Bienhial Elections IN Nouember.-As
no State officer is elected for term less
than two years, it was determined, to save
the great expense and inconvenience OF
annual elections, that the election of all
State, county and legislative officers be
held biennially, on the Tuesday after the
first Monday in November, being the day
fixed for the election of President, and, by
late law of the United States, for the
election of members of Congress after this
rear. ass.
2. Legislatise Ptsrity.-It is provided in
section four that no person interested in q
contract or unadjusted claim against the
State shall hold seat in the General
Assembly, lest by considerations of per
sonal profit he be influenced to do pub
lie wrong. t,e III
8. Per Diem Abolished-The cost of q
legislative session, other than the compen-
sation of members, is large, its magnitude
depending on its duration. Absenteeism,
resulting from railroad facilities and per
diem payment, has often heretofore re-
suited in protracting the sessions. 1t il
therefore provided (Sec. 33) that members
shall be compensated only by fixed
annual salary. 4osa5.s ~; s i
4. Annual Sessions.-Biennial sessions
of the General Assembly, as provided in
the Constitution of 1851, have not been
observed. The necessity for annual ses.
sion in a State of such vast wealth, busi.
ness and population as Ohio, having been
demonstrated by experience, q return to
that system is provided. (Sec. 49,.
5. The Hsto.-Hasty, inconsiderate, and
sometimes partisan legislation is incident
to an unrestrained legislative body; and
where large sums are to be expended, and
the purposes of monopolies and powerful
corporations to be promoted, its delibera-
tions are not always free from the in.
Auence of the lobby. To more efectually
guard against these abuses, the Conven-
ton, after much discussion, concluded to
follow the example of nearly all the Other
States, and clothe the Governor with 9
qualified veto. (Sec. 18) The difference
between threeffths, required by this sec
ton to pass bill over veto, and the
mere majority, which law must obtair
in any case, is only Ten in the House o
Representatives, and four in the Senate
1t was thought that ten days of delibera
ton by the Governor, free from the ex
citement AID influences which sometimes
control popular bodies, might often pre-
vent great mischief. ~
6, Appropriation Bils-A change o.
the greatest importance is the proposed
limitation on the passage of appropria'
ton bills. Binder the existing Constitu.
ton, the general appropriation bill, like
the general appropriation billin Congress
has been made the vehicle for the grosses
peculations in the public funds. Alb
senteeism often reduces the attendance tt
q mere quorum. A bare majority Of thii
quorum can incorporate in the general ap
preparation bill, by amendment or rider
any scheme for depicting the treasury
On the final passage of the bill, it mus
be voted on as an entirety; and unless i
receive the vote of a majority Of all tn,
members elected to each house it is lost
Appropriations necessary to carry on th'
government are thus coupled with, ant
made to abide the fate of, schemes of mer'
peculation and plunder. Members ar,
eompelled. against their convictions, Il
vote for the bill including these obnoxiou
: items. or suffer a stoppage of the wheels o
government. To prevent this is the pur
pose of the new provisions in section
twentythree and twenty-five. Each item
of appropriation must stand on it's oxr
merits and be voted on separately, by yea
and nays. on the demand Of any member
n it fail to receive the constitutional ma
iority. il is to be stricken out. Thus eacl
member is made personally RESPONSIBLE :,
b;s const;tnants for the vote he NAV cast
d. d. 80 ~ Ionaar hoo TO tho nratenaa tba
nniss. mi I ha az vote 1d for tbe b;lI inclmlinS III,
ahno1;ons item It mnst fail and the poyy
srnment susuend for want of funds.
Another check and safeguard is tn,
power vested In the Governor to veto an,
item in the appropriation Dill, ana ap
provisions will result in an annual savin,
n the treasury of many thousands O
dollars ll'5'i5 tls ai
a ~