The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-10-28
The Constitutional Questions.

In the consideration OF the question
whether or not constitutional convention
should be held, upon which the people oi
Ohio will be expected to express an opin.
ion at the polls next Tuesday, the item oil
expense arises as weighty and important
matter. Undoubtedly there are seYerai
points in the present constitution, when
could be materially improved by revision
and possibly some additions might DC
made that would be beneficial to the peo-
nile of Ohio, but the real question is
whether or not these changes cannot oe
made at less expense and more surely
than by constitutional convention.
The last constitutional convention met
in 1878. It was in session 253 days and
cost the people of the state about $SSe wv
in salaries, milage and printing Yet
when the people came TO pass judgement
on It's work, 1t was rejected by large ma
iorlty, and the people had enjoyed the
costly luxury of a constitutional conven-
tion without receiving any benefit from II
except that which comes from experience
OF course, no one wants such an expert
ment repeated. II the people decide 10
hold constitutional convention they
should also see to 1t that it is composed OF
men who can frame constitution which
is worthy of acceptance by the people and
which will be likely 10 be adopted.
Such convention win be more expen.
siye now than 1t was twenty years ago
Secretary Of State Ryan two years ago es
timeted that a constitutional convention
could not be held and the question oil IL
acceptance submitted 10 the people al
cost of less than $5OOOOO, and 1t is not IN
likely the cost would exceed rather tha'
fall below that sum. Now, the questio
for the people to decide is whether th
constitution needs revision serlousl
enough to expend that amount OF none
in doing something that may after all
rejected by the people,
In reaching conclusion on that poil
thew will doubtless bear In mind that II
In their power at any time to amend Il
constitution. One such amendment com
before them this fall. Three wel
voted down two years ago, and In ~
and 1885, respectively, the amendme
providing for circuit courts and the OF
changing the date Of the state electio
from October TO November were adopte
In each of these cases the cost was col
paratively small, and the results, all thin
considered, as satisfactory as If the wol
had been done by constitutional conVe
tion. -.
The taxation amendment now befo
the people upon which they must also d
eide next Tuesday, is an example of u
way such changes can be made from TIT
to time as the people need them. we ha
already described II, but 1t Will be
further discussion. AS It is proposed
change the sectien, II will read;
SEC. FLAWS may De phsSou "h'Nh '
by uniform rule all moneys. credits inVe
ments in bonds. stock, joint stock compani
or otherwise, and all real and personal prt
erty according to the true value thereoi
money. IN addition thereto Id'0' may DC pas
tarinO riOhis, priVileOes, Jranchise' and such Of
.ubjeet matters, Gs the legislature may direct
burying grounds, public school houses hou
used exclusively for public worship insti
tons Of purely public charity, public prope
used exclusively for any public purpose
other property, may, by general laws be
empt from taxation; and the value oil
property SO exempted shall, from time
lime, be ascertained and published, as may
directed by law.
The words in italics indicate the ad
tons. the only difference not shown be
that the words "oiher property" are
stituted for the present provision VIII
allows the Legislature to exempt perso
property not TO exceed 5000 In value
each rerson.-Leader