Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-27
People of OHIO to Vote
on Constitutional Changes

Columbus. Ohio, Aug. 27-Woman's I
outrage, the initiative and referendum. |
good roads, taxation, the minimum |
wage, and a change in the judicial
system, are among the things that
have been incorporated in proposed
amendments TO Ohio's constitution. and
which will ne voted upon by the peo-
pie of the state at a special election
Sep. 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 famed by
a constitutional convention, which
worked six months at an expense Of
mdre than 100000.
Ohio's present constitution was
framed in 1852. In the winter of
1894, 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
various 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 Oct l
Of this year II ratified. while the other
proposals would not be effective until
Jan. !.
The proposed Initiative and referen-
DUN provided for the direct initiative
upon petition OF 10 per cent OF the
states voters on amendments to the
constitution. and the indirect initia-
tive upon legislative questions.
Should three per cent Of the cleo
tors petition the secretary OF state
10: u law, the secretary Of state mus
refer the petition TO the general as
sembly. II the legislature should pass
the law petitioned for. It would then
become subject TO the referendum.
which would require the signatures
OF an additional three per cent of the
voters 10 become effective.
II the general assembly should fail
20 pass the law, or pass it in amended
form, the original bill and the substi-
tute could be presented to the people
for a referendum vote upon petition 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 peo-
pie, upon petition Of six per cent OF
the electoF. The proposal places an
Inhibition upon the using OF the mi
tiative and referendum for the passage
OF laws for the classification of prop
erty for 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 a prisoner was at stake.
The womau's suffrage proposal
would eliminate the word male" from
the present constitution. and give
votes to woman. Suffragists are max
ing statewide campaign for the
passage Of this amendment
Those opposed to equal suffrage are
o. making an equally strong campaign
against its passage.
The proposed good roads amendment
provides for a state bond issue OF
S5O,OOo.O0O for the building and main
tenance OF good inter-county wager
roads
Labor leaders OF the state secured
the passage by the convention of ,
proposed amendment providing for III,
welfare OF employees and for the enact
ment OF minimum wage.
Under the proposed home rule 10
cities proposal municipalities coul,
adopt any one OF the three following
forms Of government:
]. They might. upon the vote OF tn
electors, elect IS citizens to frame
charter. which would then have TO b
submitted TO the voters for approval
?. They might adopt, by a majorit