El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-08-26
OHIO CONSTITUTION
RADICALLY CHANGED
People to Vote on Adoption
of Il Amendments
September 8.

Columbus, o, Aug. 26.-Woman's
suffrage. the initiative and referendum,
good roads. taxation. the minimum
wage and a change in the judicial sys-
tenn, are among the things that have
been incorporated in proposed amend
ments to Ohio's constitution, and which
viii be voted upon by the people of the
state at special election on Septem-
Der 3.
The Il amendments which will be
presented for ratification, deal with a
variety of problems from the regula-
ton of bill board advertising to NUM-
cipal home rule, and were framed by
constitutional convention, which
worked six months at an expense of
more than 100000.
Ohio's present constitution was
framed in 1852. In the winter of 1874,
a constitutional convention was held.
but its work was rejected at the polls.
Nightly meetings are being held over
the state by ministers. professors, law
yers, business men and politicians, who
are debating the effects which the va
rious proposals would have upon the
welfare of the state.
The initiative and referendum pro-
poSal, as adopted by the constitutional
convention, will go into effect on Octo-
Der l of this year if ratified while the
other proposals would not be effective
until January /
Another proposed amendment pro-
vides for limiting the power of the SUI
preme court, by making the circuit
courts the court of last resort in the
majority of cases. The name of the
circuit court would be changed to the
court of appeals. The supreme court
would then be the last court in consti-
tutional cases, and cases where the life
of a prisoner was at stake.
The woman's suffrage proposal would
eliminate the word male" from the
present constitution. and give votes to
woman. Suffragists are making a
this amendmnt.
Those opposed to equal suffrage are
making an equally strong campaign
against its passage.
The proposed good roads amendment
provides for a state bond issue of $50
600, 900 for the building and mainten-
ance of good inter-county wagon roads
Labor leaders of the state secured
the passage by the convention of a
proposed amendment providing for the
welfare of employees and for the enact
ment Of a minimum wage.
Uuder the proposed home rule for
cities, municipalities could adopt any
one of the three following forms of
government:
1. They might, upon the vote of the
elect fifteen citizens to frame
a charter which would then have to be
submitted to the voters for approval
= 1hey might ADOPT by majority
vote, form of government provided
by the legislature
3. They might be governed as at
present by municipal code framed by
the legislature.
The removal of all public officials.
including the judiciary, upon COM
plant and hearing, is provided for in
an amendment, which was passed by
the convention after the recall, as in
effect in the western states, had been
defeated
Another proposal which is causing
much campaigning throughout the satte
IS the one providing for a liquor Ii
cense. The proposal provides for lin
itinS the number of saloons, one to
every 500 population. In the larger
cities. it would decrease the number
Of saloons from two-thirds to one
half