p. 17 | Ohio Constitutional Convention by H. A. WEAVER.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 16, 1912

Ohio Constitutional Convention

By H. A. WEAVER.

At the request of the Ohio Conference, I have spent several weeks in Columbus, assisting Elder J. F. Olmsted, the religious liberty secretary of that conference, in the work connected with the fourth constitutional convention, now in session there.

This convention is not only the center of interest for the people of Ohio, but is developing into a veritable arena for the discussion of political creeds.

Some of the most prominent men in the country’s public life have been invited to address the convention, nearly all of whom have accepted, including Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, Mr. William J. Bryan, Governor Harmon of Ohio, Governor Johnson of California, and Senator J. B. Foraker.

Although at the time of writing this report there have been 308 proposals introduced into the convention, yet favorable action has been taken on but three, these being, in order, the Good Roads, Liquor License, and Woman Suffrage amendments. The convention is now considering the Initiative and Referendum proposal.

Consideration of all proposals providing for religious amendments to the constitution has been “indefinitely postponed” by the committees having them in charge. This seems providential.

The committee on the judiciary and bill of rights is composed almost entirely of lawyers and judges. The committee on education is made up largely of heads of colleges, teachers, and lawyers. To these two committees were referred all the religious proposals introduced. I secured a personal interview with nearly every member of both committees, and presented each with a copy of “American State Papers.” The result in most cases was very satisfactory. A number of these men voluntarily pledged me their word that they would oppose any effort to amend the constitution so as to favor Sunday or any other religious institution.

It is indeed gratifying to know that the principles of justice and equality have not yet been banished from the hearts of all men. Let us not permit the torch of truth which God has charged us with holding aloft in this dark world to grow dim. H. A. WEAVER.