The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-29

'iS"S VI OIE young fepuDllC on mat
ters of government There are ex
ccptions, of course, including the dec
laration against slavery that came
down from the ordinance of 1887 As
frequently stated, the formation and
adoption of this constitution were pre-
cipitated by the political conditions
that prevailed in the Northwest terri
tory. fhe old Federal party of Wash
ington and Adams was not popular
TN the West, and the somewhat auto
cratic rule of Governor Sc. Clair, its
CHIEF exponent in this region, helped
still further to array the people against
1t. Edward Tiffin and other friends ol
Jefferson wished speedily to erect q
new state in order to dispose of st.
Clair and add to the votes of the
party of Jefferson in the electoral
college. The impelling power of par.
ty enthusiasm had much to do in rush.
| ing Ohio into the Union.
Was Carefully" Progressive.
But the zeal of party leaders and
the progressive ideas of the Jefferson.
ian democracy. with it's alluring and
persuasive pleas for a larger partici.
patton of the people in their govern
ment, did not advance our first con.
stitutiOn much beyond tie .estricted
views of representatiNe democracy
generally prevalent at that early day.
The records of tho convention that
framed the first constitution are in
deed meagre. Speeches, memorials,
and discussions wee not reported.
The printed journal of proceedings is
a mere outline of what was done from
day 70 day, made up for the most
part of formal resolutions and the
record of votes. The proceedings
for Nov. 6, 1S0p. are typical:
Mr. Putnam. from the committee APP
pointed To prepare and report q prcam-
bic and the first article Of the constltu-
tion, reported the first article Of the con-
sttuiion. which was received and read
the first time.
Whereupon. Ordered. That the said
article he committed to committee Of
the whole convention on Monday next.
On motion. ordered, That forty copies
OF the said article he printed for the use
of tho members and officers OF the con-
vention.
on motion. ordered. That committee
be appointed TO prepare and report the
second article of the constitution on the
supreme executive authority.
And committee was appointed Of Mr..
Paul. AIR Byrd, Mr.. Smith. Mr. Catch.
Mr.. Darlington, MIR. Krl<cr, Mr.. Massia
Mr.. WOrthington, Mr. Carpenter. Mr.
Putnam, Mr.. Gilman. Mr.. Huntington,
Mr. Millgan, Mr.. Walls and Mr., Cald-
well
Tho convention proceeded to consider
the amendment reported on Thursday
last, from the committee of the whole
convention, TO the preamble OF the con
siiuution; ana the same being read, was
agreed TO-
And then the convention adjourned un-
I'll Monday morning, 10 o'clock.
1t Is interesting to note with what
promptitude and industry the thirty
five delegates, with Edward Tifin in
the chair, proceeded to their work.
These serious and enthusiastic states
men Of the frontier wasted no time
in useless delays, social junkets, and
spectacular formalities.
Committees Were Named.
On the third day of the session.
the committee on rules for the regula-
tion and government of the Conven.
tion made its report, which was adopt
ed. Other committees were appointed
to prepare and report as follows:
Nov 3, 1902 \ preamble and first arti-
Gle Of the constitution.
Nov I. \ bin of rights and a schedule
for the purpose of carrying into COM
plete operation the constitution and gov.
ernmcnt.
Nev C. The second article of the con-
stitutlon on the supreme executive au-
thority.
Nov .. The third artlcle OF the con.
stltution on the Judiciary.
Nov. II. The fourth article OF the
constitution, designating the qualihca-
tions Of electors.
The nth article of tho constitution.
declaring the manner I'm which militia
officers shall be chosen or appointed.
The sixth article of the constitution.
dessnntlns the manner In which sherffs.
coroners. ard certain uthcr civil officers
shall be chosen or appointed
Nov lj An article c1mprehending
the general regulation and provision OF
the constitution.
It will be seen that the convention
worked through committees, one for
the consideration of each article.
These committees. from time TO time
made reports to the convention. where
they were considered in committee of
the whole. These reports we've usu
ally printed and opportunity was az |
forded for any delegate to Offer amend |
ments. The convention finished It's
work in Q comparatively short time. |
IT assembled in Ch'llicothc Nov.
1902. On the 20th day of that month. !
II had framed, engrossed, adoncd and
signed the FIRST constitution Of Ohio. |
lnasmuch as this constitution was
the work OF the friends OF Jefferson
his opinion concerning 1t may be Of in.
terest. I'VE are told that Immediately |
after the formation OF the constitution |
OF Ohio, a leading citizen Of our state |
visited tho seat of the general govern. |
ment. In an interview with Mr.. Jeff |
erson, then pres dent that statesman
remarked that he had received the |
evening before and read with much |
pleasure the constitution OF the State |
OF Ohio. II was an excellent docu. |
mcnt, he said, but the trainers com
nittcd the grave mistake OF making |