His dwelling was a common double log-house of the Western country, that a neighborhood would roll up in an afternoon. Chestnut Ridge was bleak and barren. There lived the friend and confidant of Wasington, the ex-Governor of the fairest portion of creation. It was in the neighborhood, if not in view, of a large estate near Ligonier that he owned at the commencement of the Revolution, and which, as I have at all times understood, was sacrificed to promote the success of the Revolution. Poverty did not cause him to lose his self-respect, and, were he now living, his personal appearance would command universal admiration."

It was amidst the humiliation of an unappreciated life, and the pangs of financial want that this distinguished patriot ended his career. He died August 31, 1818. His name is inseparably connected with the romance and history of Ohio, and in his long and useful life, there was no period in which he gave more brilliant and lasting service to his country, than during his career as Governor of the Northwest Territory.

With St. Clair's exit from office the Constitutional Convention closed its labors. The Constitution, which it framed, and which was the organic law of the new State for fifty years, can be fairly understood by the summary which follows.

Like the Constitution of the United States, it conferred the elective franchise on every white male resident of the State, twenty-one years of age. It likewise divided the exercise of power into three departments -executive, legislative and judicial.

The Governor, elected for two years, could be reelected continuously to serve three terms, and after being out of office for the period of one term, would again be eligible. This privilege, however, has never been exercised to the full extent of its limits. The veto power was removed, and while making it the Governor's duty to communicate such information to the Legislature and recommend such measures as he might think expedient, on extraordinary occasions to convene the Legislature, and, in case of disagreement between the two houses as to the time of adjournment, adjourn them, with the business of legislation he should have nothing to do. As commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the State he could control the arming and equipment of the same; except in cases of impeachment, he might grant reprieves and pardons; and he could fill vacancies in State offices which occurred during the recess between the two sessions of the Legislature, by granting commissions which should expire at the close of the next occurring session; but beyond the exercise of these privileges, he was rendered powerless.

The legislative power was committed to a General Assembly, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Senate was to have not less than one-third nor more than one-half of the members allowed the House. While the members of the latter were to be not less than seventy-two nor more than seventy-six in number, and be chosen annually, and apportioned among the several counties, according to the legal voters in the same, the members of the former were chosen biennially. No judge or clerk of any

court, or member of Congress, or person holding office under the United States, or any lucrative office, except in the militia, or as justice of the peace under the State, could be a member of the Legislature. Bribery rendered the person elected by its aid ineligible for that office for two years. The qualifications for members were, that they should be United States citizens, free from the disqualifications mentioned, inhabitants of the State, and resident within the district from which they might be chosen, and tax-payers; also Representatives to be not less than twenty-five years, and Senators not less than thirty years of age.

No property qualification was necessary. Property, as such, the Legislature did not represent, nor regard in the distribution of political power. By joint ballot the Legislature appointed judges and State officers, civil and military, and fixed their salaries and compensation. Each house might choose its own officers, establish rules for its proceedings, punish its members for misbehavior, expel the same if a two-third vote concurred, and punish contempts committed against its dignity by persons not members. Bills could originate in either house, subject to alteration, amendment, or rejection by the other. The power to impose taxes to raise a revenue, though not expressly recognized by the constitution, could be exercised as a power necessarily implied. Each house was to sit with open doors, unless secret session was necessary, such necessity to be decided by a two-third vote.

The Governor and all other civil officers were, for misdemeanors in office, liable to impeachment by the House of Representatives, and subject to trial by the