The Geauga Republican-record. [volume] (Chardon, Geauga County, Ohio) 1922-1952, 1952-10-30
fudge William K. Thomas Urges
Calling Constitutional Convention

William K. Thomas, judge of
Geauga's common pleas court,
today endorsed the calling of
state constitutional convent
ion. In his statement the judge
said:
Should Ohio's voters on No
vember 4th exercise the only
chance they will have until
1912 to call a constitutional
convention? In deciding they
should realize that Ohio's
fifth constitutional convention,
among other forward steps, can
propose an amendment to SUBJ
stitute a workable single legis-
lative chamber for our cum
bersome two-house legislature.
"Ohio could thereby harvest
the great benefits which Neb-
raska has been enjoying since
it pioneered in 1887 by estab-
fishing unicameral legislature.
It's old two house legislature
had 1873 members, elected on
party states. It's new single
chamber, the Senate, has 43
members elected on a non-parti-
san ballot from districts SUBJ
stantially equal in population.
"Nebraska's one-house legis-
lature costs much less to op-
crate. The most expensive BIZ
cameral session was in 1888.
1t lasted 110 days and cost
$202.593.49. The most expensive
unicameral session was in 1851.
It lasted 102 days and cost
$130,080.85, even though men,
ber's salaries are higher than
in 1895.
"Nebraska's smaller nom
partisan legislature has devel-
oped greater prestige and has
thus attracted better qualified
members.
Contrary to dire predictions
bills in the single house have
been considered at least as care
fully and are passed no more
hastily than before. Legislating
is conducted in full public view.
Gone is the secret two house
conference committee which as
the third house too often ac-
tually made the laws.
Nebraska would not resur-
rect the old two-house legis-
lature any more than cities
would 60 back to the two
chamber council discarded years
ago.
"How can Ohio obtain a con-
stitutional amendment to create
a one-house legislature?
mot in our two house legis-
lature because it is extremely
unlikely that it would ever
muster the 3-5ths vote neces-
sary to propose its own death
sentence.
mot through initiative petit
ton because that inflexible
method does not provide for
convening statewide delegates
to exercise the collective good
judgment needed to shape the
best possible structure for a
one house legislature.
"But a constitutional con-
vention can. It's non partisan
delegates, elected as our state
representatives are chosen, can
plan an enduring one house
legislature, whose membership
apportionment should be a
blend of the basic principle
of representation according to
population and the important
principle that since each part of
Ohio directly contributes to its
greatness, each part should be
fairly represented.
"Concretely, in the more pop
ulous counties members per-
haps should be elected individ-
ually from separate districts so
that the voters will better
know their legislative candi-
dates. Perhaps also each of the
least populous counties - for
instance, each county having
less than 1-3rd of. the present
representative ratio of the
states total population divided
by 100 - should be included
in the legislative district of an
adjacent county.
with the same spirit of
give and take exhibited in the
1912 constitutional convention,
the delegates to new constitu-
tional convention can work out
a reasonable compromise on
this fundamental matter of ap-
portionment.
Because Ohio is now en-
titled to the benefits of one
house legislature, I shall vote
Yes on November 4th on the
question Shall there be a con-
vention to revise, alter or
amend the constitution
YOUR NEWSPAPER -