The government class book / Designed for the instruction of youth in the principles of constitutional government and the rights and duties of citizens.

by Andrew W. Young

Ohio.

The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1802, preparatory to her admission into the union; the present one, in 1851.

Legislature--styled general assembly. Senators and representatives are elected biennially in their respective counties or districts, in which they must have resided a year. The ratio of representation in the house is ascertained by dividing the whole population of the state by the number one hundred; the quotient being the ratio for the next ten years. The ratio for a senator is ascertained by dividing the whole population by thirty-five. Senators are elected in districts. The representation of fractions of population is provided for.

Bills are not submitted to the governor. Quorum, not less than a majority.

Executive. A governor, a lieutenant-governor, a secretary of state, a treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected for two years; and an auditor for four years.

Judiciary. A supreme court consisting of five judges chosen by the electors of the state at large for five years, one, every year. The number may be altered by law. A district court in each of the nine common pleas districts, composed of a supreme court judge and the judges of the court of common pleas of the respective districts, and held in each county within a district, or in at least three places in each district. One or more of these judges hold a court of common pleas in every county in the district. A county probate judge is elected for three years.

Justices of the peace, a competent number, are elected in each township for three years.

A sheriff is elected in each county for two years, but may hold only four years in any period of six years.

Electors. White male citizens who have resided in the state one year, and in the county, township, or ward, such time as the law shall prescribe.

Amendments are proposed by three-fifths of all the members elected to each house, and ratified by a majority of the voters who vote thereon at an election. Or a majority of two-thirds of all the members of each house may submit to the electors the question of calling a convention; and if a majority of the electors vote for a convention, the legislature shall provide for calling the same. Every twentieth year, the question of calling a convention is to be submitted to the electors.