The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-08-04

guard against the "autCcracy' or any
future governor. This Office, under
the constitution "had more honor and
dignity than power" The governor
had no veto. Sovereign power was
conferred chiefly upon the legislature,
which had authority to elect judges
and state officials as well as tr make
and repeal laws. u had also practi-
cally unlimited powers in the grant
ing OF charters TO corporations. It is
needless to observe that in these
times there is no disposition TO invest
our General Assembly with such a
measure Of the sovereign power Of
the state.
In 1919, the question Of holding a
constitutional convention was sub
mitted to the voters of the State, but
the proposition was defeated by
majority of 22,32S in a total vote Of
36,SO2
Second Constitutional Convention.
The second constitutional conyen-
tion was held in 1S5O-51. The con-
stitution T. framed is popularity known
as the constitution Of 1851.
Perhaps the most conspicuous and
industrious advocate Of this conyen-
ton to frame a new constitution was
Hon. Samuel Medary of Columbus,
Ohio. editor Of the Ohio Statesman,
and one of the leading Democrats Of
the state. In the numerous editor
falls that he published on the subject
are set forth the grounds on which
he favored a new constitution. Among
other things he claimed:
l. That the first constitution had
been hastily and loosely drawn; that
It had never been submitted to the
people; that the state had outgrown
the usefulness and limitations of that
instrument.
.. That the judiciary system Of
the state should be thoroughly re-
vised to the end that justice might
be done without veXatious delays.
8. That sessions of the general as
sembly should be held biennially
instead of annually.
4. That provision should be made
requiring the general assembly to re
fer every measure increasing the
state debt to a vote Of the people.
3. That state officers, including
judges, should be elected by the peo-
pie.
The question of holding a consutu-
tional convention was submitted to
the people at the October election in
1S49. The total vote cast at this
election was 235, $40; for the conven-
tion, 1868; against it. 5l171. The
legislature that met the following De-
cember made provision for the con
vention, the delegates to which we're
elected April /, 1850.
AS already stated, Mr.. Medary was
the chief advocate Of a new constitu-
ton. It is said that along with his
unselfsh and patriotic desire to serve !
"the whole people" in this matter he
cherished Q personal ambition to be |
a bright and shining light in this con
vention. He was therefore candidate |
for delegate from Franklin county. |
But, alas! the perversity of "the peo-
BlIs lAN NllAGlllDCl lll0 JAcLl II huo lut !
first day of April they gave Mr. Ne
dairy a surprise and elected over him
Mr. John Graham a surveyor Me-
dary was keenly disappointed.
The convention met in the capitol
at Columbus May 6, 1850, where it
continued in session until Tp;y Of
the same year 1t adjourned and met
again in Cincinnati, Dec. 2, 1850,
where it continued in session till
March 10, 1851 William Medill pre-
iided. The convention was in session
altogether 1876 days and cost the
;tate $94,44132. 1t numbered 1O9
delegates.
In due time the new constitution
vas framed and submitted to the
people. 1t embraced most Of the re.
orms advocated by its chief promo.
er and retained much that was good
n the first constitution. In general
t transferred sovereign power from
he legislature to the people and re-
Iuired that laws for the regulation OF
orporations should be uniform in ap.
,licatiOn. 1t conferred no additional
'ower on the governor 1t is the
constitution under which we live to-
ay, but it has at various times been
mended in some important particu.
ars.
1t was submitted to the people at
he October election of 1851. The
ote, excluding the counties of Def
nee and Auglaize, which did not re-
ort within the time limit was as
Ollows:
lew constitution, Yes............ 125,56i
lew constitution, No............. 100,27G
Majority for new constitution. 16,2SS
The license of the sale of intoxicat-
lg liquors was submitted as a sep
rate proposition. The vote was as
1llowsc
license to sell Intoxicating liquors,
NO .,......,.....,,..... ll3,231
license to sell Intoxicating liquors ,
Yes .......,.......,,.....,. lO4, 255 i
Majority against license... s,982
Third Convention. t
The third constitutional convention
as presided over by Morrison r.
'aite, afterwards Chief Justice of the
upreme Court Of the United States. !
mong its delegates were a number
men who won distinction. II met
Columbus, May 13, 1873, and con ),
nued in session in that city 10. Au- !,
lst s, 1878, when 1t adjourned TO I