4. Suppose the states had refused to cede their claims to the government, what would have been the probable effect?

5. Map the township in which you live, number the sections, and locate the school section.

6. How did the territorial government under the ordinance of 1787 differ from the state government?

7. In which would you prefer to live, a territory or a state? Why?

8. Indicate the importance of the ordinance of 1787.

9. Account for the early centers of population in Ohio.

10. Was Ohio admitted in 1802 or 1803?

11. How many constitutions has Ohio had?

CHAPTER II

THE PRESENT STATE CONSTITUTION

10. Change in Organic Law. A constitution hastily framed for a small population scattered over a vast territory would naturally be ill-adapted to a growing state with thriving cities, prospering industries, and numerous internal improvements. Foreseeing this, the makers of the constitution provided that in the year 1871, and in each twentieth year thereafter, an election should be held to vote on the question, Shall there be a convention to revise, alter, or amend the constitution? In accordance with this provision a convention was authorized and held in 1871, and a new constitution was framed, submitted to the people, and rejected. There was no convention in 1891. In 1911 the people authorized a convention, which was held the following year and which submitted to the people several amendments to the constitution of 1851.

11. Amendments. The constitution of 1851 has been amended several times. The most important amendments, prior to 1912, were those giving the governor the veto power and abolishing the double liability of stockholders of corporations.

The amendments adopted in 1912 were far-reaching and made very material changes in the fundamental law of the state. The legislative power was changed so as to provide for the initiative and referendum, and the legislature was given broader powers with respect to passing laws in behalf

of workingmen and with respect to the conservation of the natural resources of the state. A new judicial system was established and the jurisdiction of the courts changed. Provisions deemed essential to the quick and proper determination of litigation were incorporated, and a system of nominating candidates for offices at a direct primary was established. One of the amendments adopted provided that in the year 1932 and every twentieth year thereafter the question of holding a constitutional convention should be submitted to the electors.

12. Three Departments of State Government. There are three departments of state government, — legislative, executive, and judicial. The authority of these departments, extending into various fields, is outlined in the constitution and the enacted laws of the state. It is the function of the legislative power to make the laws, the executive power to enforce them, and the judicial power to interpret them.

13. The Legislature. The legislative power is vested in a general assembly, consisting of a senate and a house of representatives. The assembly is composed of members chosen by the people of the respective counties and districts every two years, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. The term of office begins on the first day of the following January. No person is eligible to membership in either house who has not resided in his respective county or district for one year preceding the election, or who holds an office under the authority of the United States, or a lucrative office under the authority of the state, or who has been convicted of embezzlement of the public funds, or who holds any public money for disbursement.

The number of members in the house varies from time

to time. The constitution provides for a new apportionment of the members of the general assembly every ten years in the following manner: the number of representa

tives is determined by dividing the whole population of the state by 100. The quotient resulting represents the population necessary for each representative, provided that each county is entitled to at least one representative

regardless of population. Under the present apportionment the house of representatives has 119 members. The senate is composed of thirty-five senators elected from senatorial districts. The map on the preceding page shows the senatorial districts of the state as now constituted.

14. The Duties and Powers of Each House. Each house is judge of the qualifications and election of its own members; each has the power to organize itself, to elect its officers and expel its members, and each is required to keep a journal of its own proceedings.

The general assembly makes the appropriations to carry on the state government, but such state appropriations cannot cover a longer period of time than two years. The house of representatives has the sole power of impeachment and the senate the sole power of trial. A majority of the members elected is sufficient to impeach a member, but two thirds of the senators elected is necessary to convict. The general assembly can exercise no judicial power, nor can it pass any retroactive law or law impairing the obligation of a contract.

Members of the general assembly are exempt from arrest while going to or returning from the general assembly, except in specific cases such as treason, felony, or breach of the peace.

15. Method of passing a Bill. The general assembly is intrusted with the enactment of all laws necessary for the welfare of the people of the state in pursuance of the constitution. Either house may originate bills. Every bill requires three distinctive readings on different days, unless three fourths of the members dispense with the rule. Before any bill can become a law it must be presented to