TO ALL LOVERS OF LAW AND THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN ITS STRICT ENFORCEMENT THIS WORK IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. J. H. N. COLUMBUS, O., January 28, 1913, There is higher law than the constitution. From speech delivered March 11, 1850, Of law there can be no less acknowledged than that her seat is in the bosom of God, her voice the harmony of the world. All things in heaven and earth do her homage, the very least is feeling her care and the greatest not exempted from her power. Ecclesiastical Polity, Book 1. The object of this work is to aid the citizen in arriving at a better understanding of Ohio's organic law. The last legislature provided for the holding of the fourth constitutional convention in Ohio. The sitting of the convention is of so recent a date, there are very few who have not read of its deliberations. However, there is no doubt that there may be some who know but little about what resulted from the convention's work. In presenting this document, the purpose of the library is twofold. First, we shall try to combine the entire organic law of both United States and Ohio in a small volume; the second object is to bring into such a form as to show readily the various steps of our successive constitutions and something of the progress of the age from the Declaration of Independence down to, and including the convention of 1912. The constitution proposed by the convention of 1874 was not adopted, but at this time, it is very interesting to go over the various propositions then submitted for the approval of the people; therefor the proposed constitution of 1874 is projected into the foreground by being placed in parallel columns with the constitution of 1851, showing at a glance what evolution of thought was made in a quarter of a century. Then by a system of cross references this comparison is carried back, article by article to the constitution of 1802 and the ordinance of 1787. In order to simplify the finding of the desired subject an index has been made with reference only to the constitution of 1851. When the desired section is found in the constitution of 1851 the same subject of the constitution of 1874, will be found on the same page in an opposite column, while foot notes will direct the reader to the identical subject in the constitution of 1802 and the ordinance of 1787. In addition, the decision of the supreme court on each particular section will be referred to by various notes. Reference also, has been made to the debates which took place in the constitutional convention of 1851. This reference is to assist those who may desire to use it in the prosecution of a more extensive study of the organic law. Statistics have been given when they would aid in throwing light upon the subject, such as the votes on the constitutional conventions and the proposed amendments. The only way to improve on the past, is to have an accurate knowledge of what the past has done. If this document fulfils the purpose of its aim, the Library will feel amply paid for its preparation. J. H. NEWMAN, State Librarian. |