 Rewriting the state constitution became Marshall 's central focus as governor , and after the General Assembly refused to call a constitutional convention he began to seek alternative means by which to have a new constitution adopted . He and Jacob Piatt Dunn , a close friend and civic leader , wrote a new constitution that increased the state 's regulatory powers considerably , set minimum wages , and gave constitutional protections to unions . Many of these reforms were also in the Socialist Party platform under its leader , Terre Haute native Eugene V. Debs . Republicans believed Marshall 's constitution was an attempt to win over Debs ' supporters , who had a strong presence in Indiana . The constitution also allowed direct @-@ democracy initiatives and referendums to be held . The Democratic controlled assembly agreed to the request and put the measure on the ballot . His opponents attacked the direct @-@ democracy provisions , claiming they were a violation of the United States Constitution , which required states to operate republican forms of government . The 1910 mid @-@ term elections gave the Democrats control of the Indiana Senate , increasing the constitution 's chances of being adopted . Marshall presented it to the General Assembly in 1911 and recommended that they submit it to voters in the 1912 election . 
