Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-26
FoTiy-One Amendments TO Con-
stitutiOn on The List.
Range from Bill Beard Advertising
To Municipal Home Rule.


the people of the state at a special
election on September 8.
The Al amendments which will be
presented for ratification. deal with
a variety of problems from the regu-
lation of bill board advertising TO
municipal home rule, and were framed
by a 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
1884, constitutional convention was
held but its work was rejected at the
polls
Nightly meetings are being held
over the state by ministers, profess
ors, lawyers, business men and poll
ticians, who are debating the effects
which the various proposals would
have upon the welfare of the state
The initiative and referendum pro-
posal, as adopted by the constitu-
tional convention, win go into effect
on October of this year if ratified,
while the other proposals would not
be effective until January 1.
The proposed initiative and refer
endum provided for the direct initia-
tive upon petition of 10 per cent of the
states voters on Amendments to the
constitution. and the indirect initia-
tive upon legislative questiors.
Should three per cent of TIE electors
petitieryIthe secretary of state for
law, the secretary of state must refer
the petition to the general assembly.
If the legislature should pass the law
petitiened for, it would then become
subject to the referendum, which
would require the signatures of an
additional three per cent o. the voters
to become effective.
If the general assembly should fail
to pass the law, or pass il in amended
form, the original bill and the sub
stitute could be presented To the peo-
pie for a referendum vote upon petit
ton of an additional three per cent of
the voters.
Any law passed by the general as
sembly could, under the proposed
amendment. be voted upon by the
people, upon petition of six per cent
of the electors. The proposal places
an inhibition upon the using of the
initiative and referendum for the
passage of laws for the classification
of property or taxation or for the
single tax
Another proposed amendment pro-
vides for limiting the power of the
supreme 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 con-
stitutional cases. and cases where the
life of prisoner was at state.
The womans suffrage proposal
would eliminate the word male"
from the present constitution. and
give votes to woman. Suffragists are
making a statewide campaign for the
passage of this amendment.
Those opposed to equal sffrage are
making an equally strong campaign
against it's passage.
The proposed good roads amend
ment provides for state bond issue
of s50,o00.0O0 for the building and
maintenance 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
enactment of minimum wage.
Under the proposed home rule for
cities proposal, municipalities could
adopt any one of the three following
forms of government:
s They might. upon the vote of the
electors, elect fifteen citizens to frame
a charter. which would then have to
be submitted to the voters for APP
prevail.
They might adopt, by a majority
vote, q form of government provided
by the legislature.
3-They might decide to be governed
as at present by a 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
thel convention after the recall, as in
effect in the western states, had been
defeated.
Another proposal which is causing
much campaigning throughout the
state, is the one providing for a liquor
license. The proposal provides for
limiting 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
Other proposals which will be voted
upon, PROVIDE Reform in Civil Jury
System-provides for a verdict in a
civil case, upon a vote of three
fourths of the jury
Abolition of capital punishment-Pro-
vides for life Imprisonment at hard Ia
Dor as punishment for first degree muir
der, instead of electrocution.
Dispositions by state-Provides that the
state may haze the right to take deposit
tons in criminal cases. Also provides
that the Judge shall take notice of the
failure of the accused to testify.
Suits against state-Provides that suits
may be brought against the state. Such
suits cannot now be brought.
Damage for wrongful death-Takes off
the present limit of $4,000 damages for
wrongful death, and places no limt.A
Investigations-Pro that the legis-
nature may investigate along lines of
legislative action.
Governors veto-Provides for three
fifths instead of a two-thirds vote of