884 OHIO 



The Federal government in'lQi 1-12 began work on six dams on the Ohio river and in 1912 

 had practically completed four others; it also had about three-quarters finished improve- 

 ments on Toledo and Fairport harbours and about half finished Ashtabula harbour. 



In Cleveland on June i, 1911, as the street railway interest fund had increased to $700,000 

 (from $500,000), fares were reduced to 3 cents with I cent for transfer and a I cent rebate, 

 the first of eight cuts provided for before the minimum is reached of 2 cents cash fare, I cent 

 transfer and no rebate. 



Constitution. At the state election in November 1910 the people authorised the 

 legislature to provide for a constitutional convention. Members of the convention were 

 elected in November 1911, and the sessions began on January 9, 1912, and ended on the 

 last of May. The 42 amendments as drafted by the convention were voted on by the 

 people on September 3rd, at a special election. Eight were defeated; for woman suffrage 

 (by 269,693 to 242,735), due partly to the opposition of liquor interests; for a bond issue 

 of $50,000,000 for good roads (274,582 to 272,564) ; prohibiting certain out-door advertis- 

 ing (262,440 to 261,360); for statutes regulating labour injunctions and contempt pro- 

 ceedings (257,302 to 240,806); abolishing capital punishment (302,246 to 258,706); 

 providing for the use of voting machines (288,652 to 242,342); permitting appointment 

 of women to certain offices (284,370 to 261,806); and omitting the word " white " from 

 the suffrage requirement (336,875 to 249,420). 



Of the amendments adopted all go into effect on January I, 1913 except that for referen- 

 dum and initiative (on October I, 1912), that for educational administration (on July 14, 

 1913) and that for municipal home rule (on Nov. 15, 1912). The Elson amendment (345,686 

 to 203,953) gives the legislature power to authorise by statute a three-fourths jury verdict 

 in civil cases. The number necessary to form a grand jury and the proportion required for a 

 verdict are to be provided by statute. A clause (291,717 to 227,547) provides for depositions 

 from witnesses unable to attend court and for the presence of the accused with counsel at the 

 taking of a deposition. " No person shall be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness 

 against himself; but his failure to testify may be considered by the court and jury and may 

 be made the subject of comment by counsel." Statute is to provide for suit against the state 

 (306,764 to 216,634). Damages for death by wrong, neglect or default shall not be limited 

 by law (355,605 to 195,216). There is provision (312,592 to 231,312) for state and municipal 

 initiative (upon petition signed by 10% of the electorate for constitutional amendments, by 

 3% for statute laws a very low percentage, which would make initiation possible by the 

 Socialist vote), and for referendum upon 6% petition against all or part of any law, filed 

 within 30 days of the passage of the law; but emergency measures passed by two-thirds of 

 the elected members of each house are not subject to referendum. Other laws (or parts of 

 laws) do not go into effect after a referendum petition is filed against them until they are 

 ratified by popular vote. The veto power of the governor is limited (282,412 to 245,186) by 

 the requirement of a three-fifths instead of a two-thirds vote of the legislature to pass a bill 

 over his veto; but he may veto items in appropriation bills. Each house of the legislature is 

 empowered to make investigations (348,779 to 175,337). Laws may be passed providing 

 for mechanics' and builders' liens (278,582 to 242,385), for minimum wages and general 

 welfare of employees (335,588 to 189,728), for workmen's compensation (321,558 to 211,772), 

 for the conservation of forests and other natural resources (333,307 to 232,898), for the recall 

 ot state officers including legislators (347,333 to 185,986), for regulating expert testimony 

 (336,987 to 185,986), for registering and guaranteeing land titles (346,373 to 171,807), 

 and for the occupation of prisoners prison contract labour is abolished (333,034 to 215,208). 

 Eight hours a day and 48 hours a week is a maximum on public works, except in extraordinary 

 emergencies (333,307 to 232,898). The legislature when it is in special session may pass no 

 laws not named in the call for special session by the' governor (319,100 to 192,130). The 

 judiciary is remodelled: in place of the circuit courts created by the amendment of 1883, 

 courts of appeal are created (so that there is "one trial and one review") each with three 

 judges with a six year term and the present circuit judges become judges of the appellate 

 court for the district in which they reside; the number of supreme court justices is increased 

 to seven (chief justice and six judges) and the appellate jurisdiction of the court is in part 

 defined by the constitution (264,922 to 244,375); common pleas judges for each county (no 

 longer for common pleas districts) are elected for six years (301,891 to 223,287). Justices 

 of the peace are abolished in large cities where there are municipal courts other than mayors' 

 courts (264,832 to 252,936). Nomination for state, district, county and municipal offices 

 must be by direct primaries, except in political units of less than 2,000 population, where 

 direct primaries may be secured by majority petition; statutory provision is to be made for 

 a preferential vote for United States senator, and delegates to national nominating conven- 

 tions must be chosen by direct vote, and on ballots for delegates there must be given the 

 name of each delegate's first and second choice for president (349,801 to 183,112). A super- 

 intendent of public instruction, replacing the state commissioner of common schools (statu- 



