New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-02-13
VETO OF THE SUPPLY BILL.

Governor King on Wednesday sent the Supply BILL
lately adopted by the Legislature, back to the Assem-
bly,, with the following message:
To he Honorable D. c. LIrrLEJcHS
Ireturn with objections u the Assembly, the bill en-
titled Act provide for certain expeoses of Gov
eminent prior to the year ole thousand eight hundred
and fifty seven
BILL which failed to be acted upon last year. By
Of the adjournment of the Leg stature; and aer care
fully weighing the responsibility, and the duty imposed
upon NE by the Constitution have come 10 the
clusop that this bill ought not 10 become and for
be following reasons:It III be perceived in looking
at the numerous sections Of the DILL that IL contains
large appropriations Of money for the pay and e1pea-
res of committees conposed Of members OF the Legis
siue who held their sitting during the of the
Houses. object to the payments and allowances
The members of thee Committees because they can
OF be reconced with the Constitution, which regulates
nd defines the amount Of pay Al expenses to which
member Of the Legislature entitled or with the pro-
visioDs OF the Law Of 18th July 1853 the
members acting upon the several committees have been
previously paid the three hundred dollars TO which
they entitled under section Of article 8 for their
services during II Session Of lhe Legislature. That
section provinces as follows: The Members Of the
Leg stature shall receive for their services not
Exceeding s. day from The co commencement OF the
Sesson; but such pay shall not exceed 10 the aggre
gate 500 for per diem aos exc-pt 10 proceed
"Irgs for impeachment When convened 10 Extra
Session by tie Governor, they shall receive ~ per
DAY. lLeJ snail also recslVt the sum OF u Tor every
"ten miles they shall travel 10 going to aod returning
from their pace Of meetiDg the most direct routen
The plain object of this sec,ion to limit the SUN
which any Member OF the Legslsure, such, should
receive for his services and expenses durDg the exist
Of any one Lesis atre, 10 the Of $500, vita
the addition OF 81 for every zen miles travel The only
III which this aggregate be exceeded those
specified in the section These specifications give ad
dIiioL al force 10 the prior words Of pos tive lnita-
tier II, therefore the sums are claimed by the
p,tes rs Members of the Legisature, there would
seem to be no way Of reconcDng the claim with
the Constitution. If the Legi-4ture had continued
DUNG all the time while these Committees
were eLgsged ID their inquiries, toe NJ mbar, serving
on The 0or of the two Houses could not have obtained
any mpf nsation. and IL Is not perceived what adj
Eopal or better claim those Members could have who
sho uld chsnce TO be engaged on Committee, away
from the Cspitol. The question then aries whether
compe Lsat can be received by tbese pirtss In any
other character than that Of Members Of the Legssr
tuie That the Legislature or either branch Of il has
power institute inquiries into all wrongs which are
eosble by legislative Enactment, sad b pursue
tuch inquiries by the examination OF witoessss and
Otherwise through the sgepcy Of Committees Of It's
body, In hs same az Is pr aeced by Grand
JuJies, cannot be doubted. Toe Necessity Of such
power is obvious and IT has accordingly oeen erer
csed by all regularly. org 'nized legi'asive bodes
Ihis DO yer, however extends only 10 alters "a
are Necessary 10 enable the Lesssture 70 perform
it, prIrcipsl or administrative aud legislative fanc-
tioIs," AID the Committees conducting such 10
quirss, whether during the session or during the re-
cefs oct as Members Of the Leg,slotET,. They are
certsibly ciDa officers, and, such, have power 70
administer oatns, and when authorized, 70 send
for persons and papers may issue compulsory prlces
for tho attendance Of witnesses aud ssioss fox
the sxsminsion OF witnesses abro.d All thee
exeIcsed by such coGImitees by Dtrtae Of their
office Members Of the Legislature, aud not In any
oIber capacity IL undoubt-dly In the power of the
l. gisstoie 70 appoint officer. or organize bodice other
than ifs committees 70 invesdss,e supposed sbuees or
70 collect information repaired 10 the basis Of admins
usiiye legislative aston, bat this spprehend can
only be done by statute, passed in the usas form and
spIroved by the Governor. And DO Membsr of the
Legislature would be eligible 10 such st. The stat
utes authorize either branch OF the Legsaare 70
empose r lis committees 10 sppopt Commissioners 70
take testimony during the recess Of the Lgslatare.
The fact thar Ih,se Commissioners are required -
tale cath # Office prescribed by the CJnstisudon,
would ipceafe that he committees ia disshs gog the
sane cuty act ID soy other capacity thao that Of Mem
te,s Ct the Legislature, cath Of Office would be
Necessary on their part 10 my judgment, the provi-
sioDs Of the Constitution and Statute fore referred 70,
sbaw beyond quesri that such committees sc 10 their
capacity Of Members 81 The Legislature, aud not
Otherwise.
Il may be insisted that at least the Of such
Comm irfees may be paid l 10 not however see how
such aIows al ces be made witboat establishing
prpciple which would entiie all tbs Mem Of tae
Legislature 10 he paid II eir expenses in eteo1os ts
>. ssnns in addition b. the aLo~aoce of ten cents
lie for travel. Toe c. nstutipn furnishes greser
warrant tor ire allowance il Toe case hsi 70 INC
uer and none for ti.he. Hoseye nnSorsnsse ~