The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-09-02
RADICALS MAY UPSET
OH|O'S CONSTITUTION
Conservatives Reused Them
selves Late in Battle Over
Amending II.
ELECTION Is TOMORROW
Suffrage and Initiative and
Referendum Only Two Of
Innovations.

CoLrMprs. Ohio. Sept Predictions
regarding the outcome OF Tuesdays
constitutional amendment election are
worth little. but 1t doesn't require keen
| observation to come to the conclusion
that practically all the rrogre ssive
or radical proposals would he defeated
were the election month later and the
public feeling aroused 10 it's present
pitch There has been more discussion
and agitation over the proposals during
the last ten daye than In the previous
six weeks and there can he no doubt
that II the corporate interests had begun
their campaign earlier than they did
the radicals. who put most Of their pro-
gramme through the constitution al
convention a few months ago. would be
a badly disappointed lot on Wednesday
morning
Al the start of the campaign the ini-
tiative and referendum. liquor license.
judicial reform. taxation and suffrage
appeared to be the leading issues. The
initiative and referendum and suffrage
continue in the limelight. but by reason
nj the propaganda put out by business
inter~sts group Of labor proposals
and a few others have been pushed to
the front in the discussion
There is a proposal labelled on the
ballot Welfare Of Employees" which
labor had the convention adopt. This
clause ia about as radical as the initiative
and referendum. Business mems cam
paigners assert that II Is socialistic and
revolutionary II gives the Assembly
authority TO pass laws not only limiting
hours of labor but establishing a minimum
wage Although the measure received
much publicity at the time the convention
discussed it. employers seem to have
awakened to its possibilities only in the
last few weeks
Then there ia proposal labelIe on
empt proceed ngs and injunctions
whic was adopted by the convention
at the insistence Of labor. ba ked by =
| vice from William Jennings BRYAN. Large
employers are putting w a belated bur
determined fight agdinsr il Under its
provisions persons charged with con
tempt are 10 have the right of Jury trials
| and injunctions IN labor controversies are
to be issued only for the protection of
| physical property In other words a
| manufacturer m midst of a strike
marked by vio cnce could gain court re-
lief only when damage was done 20 h r
! i'ldll { ne ROOG VIII ana
all the other rights. including franchises
Of the employer, would not have protec-
tion by injunction
Employers are combating n provision
which hits the present limit placed upon
damages whic NAV be recovered for
| wrongful death. They have abandoned
any effort TO oppose worime = com
| pensation clause since a statute passed a
year ago working satisfactorily
Bu lding and loan association officials
have raised storm Of protest against n
clause relating 10 mechanics and builders
liens. under which the home owner would
be responsible for the general contrac-
tors debts. Supply men and In or in
| terests had the convention adopt this pro-
| posai last spring hut The building and
loan people arparen ly were asleep at
| the time.
| As in the convention lawyers over the
state line are antagonizing judicial re-
| form. One o the proposals TO be voted
upon Tuesday would strip the Supreme
Court of grea: deal of its power and
won d halt considerably over half the Ilti-
CATION AZ the first review court. which Is
10 be known as the Court of Appeals
Attorneys are also fighting a proposal
which would permit the prosecuting al
torney greater latitude in takin deposi-
tions and in commenting before juries
on the failure OF accused persons TO take
the witness stand The lawyers also are
opposed 10 any change in the jury system
| They object to the clause providing that
| the Legislature NAV authorize the ac-
| ceptance OF verdict by nine jurors in
| civil cases.