The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-06-30

the bar of public opinion because they are
chosen TO reflect the popular will but not
so Judges. lhad rather trust the people
than Presidents, Governors or Senators
to select judges, for they are generally
governed by purer motives in the choice;
but though chos en- by the people the
Judge should be free from the bias Of
popular opinion while on the judgment
seat, which he cannot be if he must at
short rtintervals subject himself to the or
deal of popular opinion.
1.-THE NEW CONSTITUTION WILL GIVE Us
PURER GOVERNMENT.
First--It stops railroad subsidies to
public officers. lam aware the provision
prohibiting free passes and other gratui
ties to public officers is sneered at as a
small business for Constitution; but l
regard it as greatly needed reform
Rarely does Judge sit in cause be-
tween citizen and railroad company
who has not a free pass from that compa-
ny in his pocket. And legislators-and
even members of Constitutional Conven-
tions-who frame codes which affect
most deeply the hundreds of millions of
dollars of railroad values in Ohio, have
attested by their protracted sessions and
frequent adjournmen.s for visits home,
that it does not cost them much to travel.
Second-Nofers effective guarantees
against corrupt legislation. One in the
provision requiring separate vote on
each item of appropriation if demanded
by any member, thus thwarting the device
of fastening lobby schemes to appropri-
ations necessary to carry on the Govern
ment, by which the salary grab and al
most every other project of plumber has
won success. The other is in the veto
which doubles the difficulties of those
who have corrupt schemes to accom-
plish especially as the Governor may
veto single item or items of an appro-
priation bill while approving the residue.
These changes will, I think, commend
themselves to popular judgment and ap-
proval, as reforms of incalculable value
to the State. They will result both in i'm
mense saving Of the peoples money, and
ia higher standard Of official character.
We are warned by our own experiences
of late years, and especially by those o!
our sister States, to build higher the bar
riers of Constitution and law against the
swelling tide Of extravaganza and official
corruption.
II--THE NEW CONSTITUTION WILL GIVE US
ACHEAPER GOVERNMENT.
First-It provides .fcuer general elec.
tons. At present, we have general elec-
tons every year; and in every fourth
year two such elections, one for Presi
dent and one for State officers. The new
Constitution provides that there shah be
a general election only once in every two
years and fixes it on Tuesday after the
first Monday in November on each even
year that oeing the day of the Presiden-
tial election, and, after this year, of the
Congressional election also. The saving
to the people in time and taxes by this
provision will be very great, and will be
counterbalanced, think,by no disadyan
tage whatever.
Second-It shortens the sessions Of the
Legislatre-By requiring payment o.
members by salary, instead of per diem
and by requiring ratabIe deduction
from such salary for unnecessary ab
sence. The incidental expenses of ses
sion form large proportion Of the tota
expenses, pay of members included, sc
that the provision which shortens the ses
sion will greatly reduce its cost.
Third-Hprohibits extra pay and qra
tuities-To employees Of the State, anc
thus stops costly and immemoria
abuse.
Fourth-N alloUs no Indebtedness o.
cities beyond .fve per cent Of their tao du
plicateS-Unless the debt and the pur
pose for which it is named be authorized
by vote of three ,fourths of the electors
This wisely checks the tendency in cite
to engage in costly and corrupting ven
lures on credit.
CONCLUSION.
| EellOW-ClIlLcuS, IL tucIc was SfCt
Constitution presented to the people of
State thoroughly democratic in the bes
sense of the word, this is it, You hav
lived for twenty two years under the Con
stitution of 1851, and have learned t.
value its great popular reforms its resel
vation of the power to alter, amend or re
peal articles of incorporation; its prohi
bition of special legislation; its electiv
Judiciary; its bipartisan and self adjus,
apportionment its uniform rule of taxa
tion-these and all other democratic re
: forms which characterize that Constitu
, tion, and which have been approved b
experience, ,are either kept undisturbed Q
, strengthened in the new Constitution
while superadded to them are others of 6
{ least equal value, indicated by the expt
) rience of the generation since the preser
> Constitution was adopted-provision
| necessary to give us an able and efficier
Judiciary, TO check extravaganza in I'll