Former Provisions of the Constitution of the State of Ohio, 1851 Former Art. IV, § 2

The supreme court shall, until otherwise provided by law, consist of a chief justice and six judges, and the judges now in office in that court shall continue therein until the end of the terms for which they were respectively elected, unless they are removed, die or resign.  If any of said judges shall be unable, by reason of illness, disability or disqualification, to hear, consider and decide a cause or causes, the chief justice, or, in case of the absence or disability of the chief justice, the judge having the longest period of service upon that court, may direct any judge of any court of appeals to sit with the judges of the supreme court in the place and stead of the absent judge.  The judge of the court of appeals so designated shall temporarily perform the duties of a judge of the supreme court as to such cause or causes designated.  A majority of the supreme court shall be necessary to constitute a quorum or to pronounce a decision, except as hereinafter provided.  It shall have original jurisdiction in quo warranto, mandamus, habeas corpus, prohibition and procedendo, and appellate jurisdiction in all cases involving questions arising under the constitution of the United States or of this state, in cases of felony on leave first obtained, and in cases which originated in the courts of appeals, and such revisory jurisdiction of the proceedings of administrative officers as may be conferred by law.  It shall hold at least one term in each year at the seat of government, and such other terms, there or elsewhere, as may be provided by law.  The judges of the supreme court shall be elected by the electors of the state at large for such term, not less than six years, as may be prescribed by law, and they shall be elected, and their official term shall begin, at such time as may now or hereafter be fixed by law.  Whenever the judges of the supreme court shall be equally divided in opinion as to the merits of any case before them and are unable for that reason to agree upon a judgment, that fact shall be entered upon the record and such entry shall be held to constitute an affirmance of the judgment of the court below.  No law shall be held unconstitutional and void by the supreme court without the concurrence of at least all but one of the Judges, except in the affirmance of a judgment of the court of appeals declaring a law unconstitutional and void.  In cases of public or great general interest the supreme court may, within such limitations of time as may be prescribed by law, direct any court of appeals to certify its record to the supreme court, and may review, and affirm, modify or reverse the judgment of the court of appeals.  All cases pending in the supreme court at the time of the adoption of this amendment by the people, shall proceed to judgment in the manner provided by existing law.  No law shall be passed or rule made whereby any person shall be prevented from invoking the original jurisdiction of the supreme court.