The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-02-09
GOV. HARMON
AIRS HIS VIEWS
RakeS Interesting Talk Before
Constitutional Convention.
TAKES UP IMPORTANT MATTERS

and Referendum Would Be an In
provement On Present System Of
Government by Representatives.
Believes Liquor Question Should
Be Submitted Separately to tre
PeopIe--Gocd Roads, Home Rule
For Municipalities and other Sub
Jects Reviewed.
Columbus, o., Feb. 8-Governor
Judson Harmon today complied with
tie invitation extended to him some
time ago by the delegates to the con-
stitutional convention and addressed
that body on the subject of constitu-
tions and constitution making.
After thanking the delegates for
the honor conferred, the governor
Eaid:
"The purpose of constitution is to
establish government and mark oit
Its general SCOPE and design. AS in
this country 1t must be of the repub-
llcan form, the authority to be excr-
cised must be defined and limited,
and provision be made for the selec-
tion of the officers who are to be en-
trusted with it. And that the con-
sent of the governed which is the
cole basis of such government, may
be secured, these themselves select
the persons who are to draft the in
strument to be submitted for their
acceptance.
"When the proposed government Is
TO displace a like one of which tie
people have had full opportunity to
judge by experience, it would be
most unwise for it's trainers not to
adopt, at the start, the features
which have been found satisfactory,
and not, by changes in these, risk the
rejection Of their work.
Under each of the three success
sive governments we have had in Ohio
her citizens have enjoyed, in very
large measure, the benefits the found
ers had in view. During the 60 years
the present government has existed
We have successfully met all conoi.
tions of peace and war, prosperity
and adversely, and seen Ohio become
one Of the great commemorative of
the world. AS my experience with
cur present constitution increases the
letter like its general design and
principal features. And I am certain
we should all be glad to be assured
that no less proud a record will be
made under the new government, II
your proposals meet with favor.
II hope yours will be a true consti.
tuition, like the one we have so LONG
enjoyed, laying down concisely the
fundamental law and leaving lighter
matters to legislation. This will Sc
cure clearer understanding of your
proposals and make their approval
more likely, because many would OBJ
ject to statutes masquerading as con
stitutional provisions not subject tc
the ordinary methods of amendment
and repeal. For one essential OF g
constitution is stability through pr,
cautions against hasty and i'll consid
cred changes.
"Eut the statesmen and people al
the past were not vain or unwise
J enough to believe that no improve
ment would ever become necessary
or advisable in the governments they
Set up. The first was territorial, ant
therefore temporary by nature. The
second provided for amendment al
any time after four years of opera
tion. The last not only permitted
| amendments at any time, but requir
: ed the submission to the people every
/ 20 years of the questios whether
:. there should be a convention for gen
eral revision, alteration or amend
. ment.
Bill of Rights.
"It would be folly to ignore the fac
y that the only time the people sait
5 yes to this question they rejected
t by an overwhelming majority tn,
d proposal Of the convention, though itl
membership ranked very high. Tot
many changes were made which wer,
not only unnecessary, but worse, be
cause they would have introduced un
certainty where numerous decisions
and long practice had brought Ger
tainty.
S "The present bill of rights as
whole is excellent, but some undue
advantages against the state ar,
given to persons charged with crime
These had their origin when govern
ments were less restricted in powe
S rrd authority and the accused wa
n denied most Of the means of defens
6 lie now enjoys. With the grea
). changes on both sides of the cas-,
@ which go to his benefit the state find
h itself too heavily handicapped in en-
+, forcing the laws.
"Under our changed conditions ther
Il Is no reason why depositions shoul
e not be taken for the prosecution a
y well as for the defense, when tn
presence of witnesses at the trial ca
hot be secured as is very often tn
n case through accident or design; no
!, why the accused should not stand re
= trial when he has been acquitte
20 through misconduct or error in hi