The Legal World tion which depends upon or involves the maintenance of the traditional attitude of the United States concerning Ameri can questions, commonly described as the Monroe Doctrine, or other purely governmental policy. With these excep tions, all differences which it has not been possible to adjust by diplomacy, and which are justiciable in their nature, shall be submitted to arbitration at The Hague tribunal. The movement to improve the situa tion arising under the Sherman act is possibly gathering some momentum. The Merchants' Association of New York has presented a "Memorial to Congress," suggesting a new law supple mentary to the Sherman anti-trust act of 1890, and intended, while leaving the latter in full effect, to remove the uncertainties which now encompass it, and to make it workable without being oppressive. The National Civic Federa tion has adopted a resolution proposing a commission to interpret the Sherman anti-trust law, similar to the Interstate Commerce Commission. A bill which is to be presented to Congress would give to the proposed commission power to inquire into a combination or pro posed combination and pass upon its legality, but would grant the right of appeal to the courts as under the inter state commerce act. The Ohio Constitutional Convention toDate Delegates to the fourth constitutional convention of Ohio have estimated that probably thirty amendments to the charter of the Commonwealth would be submitted for popular ratification at the polls next autumn. In the delibera tions since Jan. 9 four important propo sitions have been approved for submis sion. Chief among the amendments is one providing for woman suffrage. The pro
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posal passed the convention by a large majority vote, primarily because many delegates desired to let the determina tion of the question rest entirely with the electors. An amendment to provide for the licensing of the liquor traffic will limit the traffic to one saloon for 500 popula tion, prohibit brewery-owned saloons, and preserve all existing local option laws. The other two amendments approved by the convention provide for the con struction of a modern system of high ways throughout the state and reform of the jury system. By a vote of 78 to 28 the judicial re form proposal was adopted, most of the opposing votes being cast by lawyer delegates. Its main objects are to pre vent long delayed litigation and to re duce the inequality between the rich and poor in courts. The changes made are many and important. The Supreme Court is estopped from setting a law aside as unconstitutional unless five of the six members of the bench concur in such judgment. Cases may be carried from the Common Pleas to the Court of Appeals either on error or appeal, but the judgment of the Court of Appeals is final except in cases raising constitu tional questions or felonies. The Court of Appeals cannot reverse a judgment of the Common Pleas Court on weight of the evidence except by unanimous vote of the judges of the court. On other grounds a majority of the court may reverse. All decisions made are to be reported and the reasons for holding given in the reports. A provision allowing courts to ac cept three-fourths verdicts in civil cases has also been adopted. The convention has rejected the recall of judges. Two reports were presented
