The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-01-16

the people superior to their repre-
sentatives. Government has been made
more representative by direct legis-
lstion established by the initiative
and referendum than ever before. II
the people have the right to set aside
a law, then certainly some power ex.
ceeding that given by the old constitu-
ton should be available for the pur-
pose of removing any delinquent pub
lie official. There has been consid-
cradle sentiment in behalf Of a direct
recall, Many members Of the consti-
tutionai convention believed this o
be too drastic, so the proposal finally
adopted is a compromise along what
appears to be very common-sense
lines. Under the new arrangement
the legislature is directed to pass laws
remedying any situation developed by
official remissness. Prompt removal
from Office, upon complaint and hear
ing of all officers, including state of.
ficers, judges and members of the gen.
eral assembly, for any misconduct in
volVing moral turpitude or for other
cause provided by law" is the con-
stitutional specification with respect
to your legislative duty. While the
legislative provision should be effect
i've in correcting an obviously bad con-
dition, 1t should be sheltered with such
safeguards as will prevent any pos
sibility of intrigue against public off,
cials and it should not be SO shaped
as to inspire the caprice of an insin-
cere and inconsiderable minority.
Reform Of judiciary.
Proposals 19 and 20 relate to the re-
form of the judiciary. l yield to no
man in my appreciation of the finer
traditions Of this great calling, but it
is generally admitted that judicial pro-
cedure needs simplifcation in this
state. The delays of the law made a
situation which the constitutional con.
vention, primarily at least, sought to
correct when it adopted these amend.
ments. The State Bar association has
been cooperative, so | am advised, in
the matter of preparing suggestions
with respect to the laws necessary to
carry out the intent of the amend
ments. The people of the state are,
believe, fortunate In having strong
legal talent on both the house and
senate judiciary committees. The
courts constitute that part of our gov
ernment which deals with the philos-
ophy Of social justice, and the changes
made in the laws with respect to the
courts should claim the profoundest
consideration of your honorable body.
1t is recognized as a detail of great
Importance that every possible facility
be provided to insure some degree of
uniformity in the action of the courts
of appeal because these bodies, nine
in number, will be the courts of last
resort in many cases. It seems to me
that modern and effective method of
reporting decisions will obviate pos
sible confusion.
Primary Elections.
Proposal number 26 relates to pri-
mary elections, the provision being
that all nominations for office in the
state or any subdivision thereof hav-
ing population of over 1000 must
be made by primary election or by Pc
tition Nomination for offices in dis
tricts with less population are not
SO made unless the qualified electors
thereof so desire. All delegates to
national conventions of the different
parties are to be chosen by primary
and provision is made for preferen-
tial vote for United States senator.
Candidates for the Office of delegate
to the national conventions are re-
quired to state their preference as
between the different candidates for
the presidency. This Is merely an
other manifestation .of the desire to
bring the details of government down
closer to the individual unit. The ev-
olution of politics clearly suggests the
propriety of this arrangement. This
law should be so drawn as to provide |
equality of opportunity as between
men of small and large means in
presenting their claims for the con-
sideration of the electors.
Control Of Public Schools.
Proposal q amends article vi of |
the constitution as follows: "Provi- |
sions shall be made by law for the
administration and con-
troll of the public school system of
the state supported by public funds"
Because of it's far-reaching influ-
ence and the further fact that the
schools form the real base of our
institutions and civilization, this con-
stitutional change imposes upon the
legislature great responsibility. 1t
will be noted that provision is made
for the organization of a school sys-
tenn in Ohio. Whether this phrase
ology was so intended or not, still in
plain words it exhibits very serious
lack in our government scheme, be-
cause Ohio really has no uniform
school system. Instead, we have a
variety Of school systems, and the
truth is that Ohio does not rank
with many Of the best states in the
Union in the matter of her public
schools. This subject suggests pos
sibilities of such stupendous moment
to the people that legislation should
be preceded by investigation.
The income Tax.
Proposal 80 amends article XII Of
the constitution in several important
respects. The mandatory provision
directs the legislature to pass laws
taxing by uniform rule all mon
eys, credits, investments in bonds,
stocks, Joint stock companies, or
otherwise; and also all real and per-