The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-06-30

which had authority % elect judges
aud state officials as wen as to make
and repeal laws. II had also prac.
tically uh.....Ced powers in the grant
ing o. charters to corporations. 1t
IL neeu.ess % observe that In these
times there is no disposition to invest
our general assembly with such
measure of the sovereign power of the
state. A noted English writer has
declared that the American people
have grown suspicious Of their legis-
latures.
In 1871, the question OF holding
constitutional convention was submit
ted to the voters of the state, but the
proposition was defeated by major.
ity of 22,32S, in total of 36,3O2.
Second Convention
"The second constitutional conven-
ton was ehld In 18D0-51 The consti-
tuition it framed is popularity known as
the constitution OF 1901.
"The convention met n the capitol
at Columbus, May 6, 1850, where it
continued in session until July of the
same year. 1t auJourned and met
again in Cincinnati December 2, 1850,
where 4, continued IN session till
March 10, 1851. William Medill pre-
sided. The convention was in session
altogether 1856 days and cost the state
Ss4 ,441.32. 1t numbered 109 delegates.
in due time the new constitution
was framed and submitted to the peo-
pie. 1t embraced most of the reforms
advocated by it's chief promoter and
retained much that was good in the
first constitution. In general 1t trans
ferred sovereign power from the legis
lature to the people and required that
laws for the regulation of corpora
tions should be uniform in application
1t conferred no additlon.I power on
the governor 1t is the constitution
under which we live today, but it has
at various times Deen amended in
some important particulars.
"It was submitted to the people at
the October election of 1851. The
vote, excluding the counties of Def
ance and Auglaize, which did not re-
port within the time limit, was as fol-
lows:
New constitution, Yes. ...... .125, ,564
New cOnstitut. on, No .109 ,276
Majority for new constitution 16,18S
"The license of the sale of intoxi-
eating liquors was submitted as sep
arate proposl. .-on. The vote was as
follows:
License to sell intoxicating
liquors, No Recommendations 1895
License to sell intoxicating
liquors, Yes. .l04 ,255
Majority against license. e.... S,9S2
Third Convention
THE third constitutional conven-
tion was presided over by Morrison
r. Waite, afterwards chief justice of
the supreme court of the United
States. Among its delegates were a
number of men who won distinction.
1t met in Columbus, May 13, 1873, and
continued in session in that city to
August s, 1878, when it adjourned to
meet in Cincinnati, December 2, of the
same year. Pursuant to adjournment
| it met in that city, where it conclud-
ed it's labors May Is, 1874. The con-
vention was in actual session 1873 days.
1t cost the state y192,o00.
"The constitution submitted to the
people contained a number of chang
es from the constitution of 1851, most
of them of minor Importance.
"The lieutenant governor was au-
thorized to vote in cases of an equal
division of the senate. The term of
office of the supreme judges was ex'
tended to ten years and at the first
| election under this constitution nc
elector was to be permitted to vote
for more than three of the five judges;
this was designed to insure minority
representation. The governor was
given the veto power. Women were
made eligible to any office under the
school laws except that of state com
missioner of common schools. The
fee system was to be abohshed and
county officers were to receive fixed
salaries. The Indebtedness of mum
icipal corporations was limited to five
per cent of the taxable property ex
cept on referendum vote. Provision
was made for railroad regulation an6
the issuance of watered stock by cor
porations was prohibited. State ant
county officials were forbidden to &C
cept railway passes and the genera
assembly was required to legislate TO
the protection of the lives and health
of miners. Increased authority wal
Al d.