The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-06-30
INTERESTING !.
History Of State Constitution
al Conventions
Held In Ohio In Years 1902,
1850, 1878
Prepared By SIaie Librarian
ChaS. Galbreath
Each Convention More Costly
Than Predecessor
Provisions Of The LawlFOf
Coming Convention


Next years constitutional conven-
don will be the fourth held In Ohio.
From sources of information available
in the state library, State Librarian
Charles B. Galbreath has prepared an
article giving an interesting resume of
the three conventions already held
and touching on the approaching one
The article is the first to be prepared
covering the history Of all these con-
ventions and will be valuable con-
tribution to contemporaDeous litera-
ture. 1t will be published In bulle-
tin to be issued and generally dis
tributed by the state board of library
commissioners.
The next constitutional convention
will convene in Columbus on the sec
ond Tuesday Of 1912 and will be COM
posed of delegates equal in number to
the representatives elected from the
various counties to the general assem-
bly,. If the delegates choose they may
make the convention migratory. They
must assemble in the hall of the house
of representatives, but may, from time
to time, adjourn to meet anywhere
else in the state that the members
may desire.
First Held in 1902
The first convention was held in
1902, and it's cost to the state was
less than $4,000. Edward Tiffin, Ohio's
first governor, presided. The second
convention was held in 1851, cost the
state $4,000, and was presided over
by William Medill. The third met in
1873, cost $4,000, and was presided
over by Morrison r. Waite, after
wards chief justice of the supreme
court of the United States. The fourth
convention is expected to cost the
state between 100000 and 100000.
Senator William Green, president
pro TEN. of the senate, ls the author of
the law making provision for the cleo
ton of delegates to the convention
and for the convening Of that body.
Professor Galbreath's article, in
part, says:
First Convention
"The movement for the early ad-
mission of Ohio into the union had
its origin In the partisan controversy
between the Federal and Anti-Federal
parties. General Arthur ST. Clair,
governor of the Northwest Territory
and friend to Washington, Adams and
Hamilton, represented the interests OF
the former on the western frontier;
Edward Tiffin, jeremiah Morrow and
Thomas Worthington, all ardent sup
porters of Thomas Jefferson, were
prominent leaders of the opposition.
In the erection of a new state they
sought the overthrow of st. Clair and
the advan ement of the interests of
the Anti-Federal or Democratic party.
Their zeal in this work was intensi-
fed by their antipathy to the person
atty of ST. Clair, who was imperious
and unfortunate In the manner OF his
rule.
Congress passed an enabling act
providing for the erection of the new
= state, which was approved April 30,
1902. 1t fixed the boundaries of the
state and provided for holding the
constitutional convention beginning
the first Monday of the following No
vember. The delegates were elected
by the people. On the organization of
convention at Chillicothe, Edward Tif
fin was chosen president. The ses-
sions continued from the first to the
twenty-ninth day of November.
after determining, with but one
dissenting vote, that 1t was expedient
ito form state constitution
the convention proceeded to frame
a constitution, which became opera
tive without submission to q
vote of the people. The convention
of 35 delegates was in session rs days
at an expense to the state of $4,556.75
"The partisan contest that hastened
the admission of Ohio in.o the union
is reflected in the tirst constitution
Having disposed of st. CAair, the fol
lowers of .siferson determined tc
guard against the 'autocracy" of an,
future governor. This Office, undsi
the constitution had more honor aat
dignity than power" The governor
had no veto. Sovereign power wal