The Detroit times., 1912-03-15
OHIO FRAMES PROGRESSIVE
CONSTITUTION AFTER
! YEARS OF BOSS CONTROL
Convention at Columbus Is
Drawing Up Most Forceful
instrument in East
WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN IT
Also Embodies Initiative and
Referendum, Short Ballot,
/ and Other Things
WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN IT
BY @. G. LYON.

COLUMBUS, o., March l5-Special
privilege may soon be forced TO con-
template a horrible example" of
popular government east OF the Mis-
slssippi. Ohio has been long in get
ing started. She has had her Han
mas, her Forakers, her Dicks. Never
lheiess she has called a constitutional
convention that is framing one of the
most progressive constitutions yet
Drawn in any state.
The indictment, within the past
year, OF dozen members and en-
pioyes OF the Ohio legislature on
charge OF accepting brides has knock
ed the wind out OF the sails of a num-
Der OF suaye gentlemen who, for
years, have made IL their business To
progress with shallow talk
about the "sacredness" OF representa-
tive government.
Rodney Diegle, sergeant-at-arms OF
the Ohio senate is now serving a
three-year term in the penitentiary.
He was convicted OF being a "go-be-
tween" for certain senators in brib-
cry deals.
Trials of others are now on.
The myth of the "sacredness" OF
representative government is explod;
ed. The average, open-minded citi-
zen believes that legislation has been
bought and sold in Ohio for years,
that the Ohio senate chamber has
been the graveyard of progressive
measures and that the sections have
not done their work purely for the
love of grave digging.
II is because OF these legislative
scandals that the constitutional con-
vcntion, now In session, is so thor
oughly committed to a program
The initiative and referendum was
the chief issue OF the campaign TO
elect delegates to the convention.
Tory arguments concerning the
"sacredness" of representative gov
ernment fell on deaf ears. The farm
ers and mechanics OF Ohio knew just
how sacred" a legislature could be
when there was no one TO compel or
forbid They set about TO make gov
eminent representative and. in elect
Ing convention pledged TO the !. &
X. they paved the way for other re-
forms which, II adopted. will make
Ohio the most progressive state OF
the middle west.
Woman suffrage will be submitted
for the approval offs the voters. Sew.
enIy-SlA uelcEdleS NOleu W 5upuiiN' ~
and only "a opposed.
The liquor traffic has provided the
most burning issue In Ohio politics
for years. The peculiar provision or
the present constitution prevents
license. but allows any sort of restiic-
tive legislation. The convention has
Authorized license plank which. II
adopted preserves all existing dry
territory, and gives each wet town
tlie right to frame restrictive licenses
for saloons not exceeding one saloon
to 500 of population.
The convention has removed an
ancient bond limit, so that the state
can spend $50,000,000 in the next 10
years for good roads.
A plank has been approved permit
ting nine members OF jury TO agree
on verdict in civil cases.
A short ballot measure, providing
for federal system of state govern
ment and making possible commits
sion plan for counties is awaiting &C
ton, as is also a proposal to give
home rule to cities in most essentials.
Like the |. q r. they are almost GER
ta,,i TO be submitted.
; Labor is asking authority for a
maximum workday and minimum
wage enactment and may get 1t. En-
movers liability will be made more
certainly valid Taxation reforms
are being incubated and the educa-
tional system will be given central
authority.