Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-02-02
Goyernors Veto Message on thc
Act to submit the question OF ~
revision Of tho Constitution to
the people.

Gentlemen Of the House Of Representatives.:
I am again compelled to return to you with
ont my nnproyal" IAN Act" submitting to the
electors Of Iowa the question of Convention
to amend the Constitution Of the State.
This &c, among other things provides that at
the next general election in August 1854 vote
shall be taken for or against convention and
tina, such election shall be conducted as pro-
vidcd in the 25th chapter of the code the re.
turns to be made to the Secretary of State and
the Governor is required Oh or before the 10Th
dav of September 1854 to Issue the proclama-
ton declaring the result Of said clecton.-
Should a majority Of the votes cast be IN favor
of convention. then an election of delegates
IS to take place on the first Monday in Novem-
Der, following, which election is to be held and
returns are to be made according to the rrovi-
sions Of the Code regulating general elections.
The act also requires that the number OF dele
gates shall correspond to the number of dele
| gates in the General Assembly as appointed at
| the present. session. but makes no provision as
| to who shall be eligible, whether they shall be
citizens or residents of the State or be elected
| by counties, districts or by the State at large.
! Our laws do not provide for or contemplate
| such an election. 1t is therefore necessary
| that an act creating such an emergency should
explicitly provide tor a full and fair rcpresen-
tation of the people in a Convention the most
/ important to their welfare which has ever as
sembled in the State of Iowa, this by the act
under consideration has not been done. nor fn
my judgement could its oh ect be carried out
without misunderstanding and confusion in
consequence of its indefinite provisions.
| In my message which was communicated TO
the General Assembly at the commencement
| Of your session, could not avoid expressing
deep concern at the opinion entertained by
some portion of the people in favor of revis
ion Of the constitution to authorize the estab-
lishmcnt of banks--of special acts of incorpor-
alton for pecuniary profit, and Of contracting
debts without Limitation by the General As
sembly.
The sentiments which then entertained
have undergone no change, unless it be, that
| am more strongly impressed with the belief
that it would be suicidal to part with con.
stitution viii. throws aronnd the people its
protecting arm, and places between them and
crafty adventures from cable obstacles to the
acquisition of influence and power--which
places them above the reach of that species OF
| legislation which leads State to bankruptcy
and her citizens to degradation.
| am not aware that the constitution recog.
nizes the General Assembly as the Judge OF the
necessity of submitting the question of its re-
vision to the people, yet l cannot divest my.
self of the esponsibility-whicha ppertnins to
a coordinate branch of the government, nor OF
the obligations which that position imposes
upon me. Feeling as do, the full weight OF
that responsibility and the obligations which
tho constitution imposes upon me, cannot in
the absence of a more marked expression OF
popular desire on the part Of the people than
what has heretofore been manifested; approve
OF any bill which has for its object the calling
of a convention to amend the constitution.
The legitimate ends of the government have
been and can still be obtained by its wise pro
yisions, under which the State of Iowa has
thus far been prosperous, and the rights and
interests Of her citizens been secured and pro
tected.
Believing that the constitution 10 satisfac
tory to a majority Of the people Of this State
and that they have not desired the question Of
its amendment to be thrust upon them, l have
therefore felt it my duty to return the act which
was presented for my approval, to the House
in which it originated. "
s:HEMpSTEAD.
LAVA nitv Inn 9th lS53