Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-02-17
A PRIVILEGED QUESTION.

uP"u 'ue question OF privilege OF which
propose to speak that they will for
get for a momant that there is such a
thing as party, and that they will listen
to my remarks as coming from u repre-
sentative of the people and not from a
partisan.
A slanderous document lately found
its way to the Secretary's desk through
the channel Of d message from the hon
orable the Assembly, claiming to be a
veto message, and purpor,ing on its
face to have been written by the Gov
ernor of this State. Were to allow
this document to pass without a defense
of my own manhood as well as that Of
my brother Senators Of the past session
who no longer occupy seats npon this
floor, | should do them and myself a
great injustice. A cloud of witnesses
would rise up against mo. While live,
Sir, and have a voice, such n charge as
is contained in the document referred to
against u Hutchins, a Terry, a Proctor,
u Dorou, a Nelson, and last, but not
least, q Sumner, shall not be permitted
to pass without my notice.
The slanderer and calumniator who
penned these lines in that veto message,
" During the last hours Of the session
large sum Of the peoples money were
extravagantly voted away"-I hereby
deuounce with o full knowledge of
what | am saying, as maliciously misrep-
~resenting the facts. The journal Of the
last session will bear me out in my state
ment. The reputed author Of this veto,
in this. particular, has but added to the
iufamy characterizing tho Executive
action from the beginning.
Who is he? Why, H. G. Blasdel,
once the chief officer Of a steamer ; he
has, as Governor Of Nevada, so far mis-
taken his powers that he has uniformly
appeared to regard the State as n steam
boat, himself the Captain, and the men,
bers of all the other branches Of the
| Government his crew. What has been
his course? Why, sir, he has during
his administration vetoed more bills
than all the Governors Of all the other
States within the same period. During
his brief authority he has opposed his
objections to more legislative measures
than have all the Presidents of the
United States since the foundation and
inception Of our National Government.
Andrew johnson, who has made him
self notorious by the free exercise of the
veto power, never yet has dared to re-
fuse 10 execute the laws of the land.
No Executive has ever before had the
~audacity to veto II Legislative appropri-
alton bill. And this is the first instance
where an Injunction has been served by
the Executive on the disbnrsing officers
of any Government having q Constitu-
ton tor its basis, to prevent the pay
meat of money appropriated for the
representatives Of the people.
venture the assertion that there is
not a crowned head in Europe who
would have dared to have done what
this man has done.
Here in the State of Nevada II man
honored by his party by being twice
elected 10 the high position of Governor
so far forgets himself and his office as
to bid defSnce to the people through
their representatives, and proclnims
himself absolute and infallible ruler.
Sir, if either this man or his advisors
possessed that high order of intellect
which Of itself commands respect, We
might pause to consider if our action
had not been hasty. But no such talent
is to be found within tho circle of the
Executive "ring."
When | reflect that the Legislative
Fund Bill passed the careful scrutiny Of
such members as Wclty, %Bonniicld, Ed
wards, Tritle and HilIyer, all gentlemen
of large legal experience, the opinions
of the ring adverse to either ITS consti-
%tutionality or propriety fail, and, as has
been decided by the highest judicial tri-
buual in the State, possess not the
slightest weight. | do uot propose 10
review the veto message. 1t has been
pronounced worthless in all respects by
both the Legislative and the Judicial
branch of the Government, and it is un-
necessary to waste time in its further
consideration.
may be permitted to say in this con-
%uection that had intended making my
remarks a week since, but by the advice
Of brother Senators postponed their ut
terancc until such time as the decision
Of the Supreme Court should be had.
While | do not, | repeat, propose to re-
view the veto message, will briefly say
II word in reference to it. The first OBJ
lection is simple. Tho second, declar-
ing that the Fund bill gives unwarrant-
ed preference to members of the Legis-
lature over o.her creditors Of the State,
alias State officers, in my opinion con-
StitUtcS the real objection Of the Cover
nor. The selfish and mercenary mo-
tivcs of the man here exhibit themselves.
The third objection urged-that the
Fund bill increases the compensation Of
members-eye.y Senator well knows is
unqualified, false. The arguments in
favor of the fourth objection are so sim
pie that the wayfaring man, though a
fool, can at once detect their fallacy.
But l do not propose to occupy your
time any further with the consideration
of this veto message.
Mr.. President, courtesy is due be-
tween the coordinate branches of the
Government, otherwise jars will occur.
Let us for u moment look ut the action
of the Governor toward the Legislature
in that respect. He, by that veto mes.
sage, assumes that he is the peculiar
and special guardian of the peoples
money. Sir, all demsgogues so address
themselves to the people-the "dear
people," Let US see how far he is act
ing in good faith in this regard, and
how much credence should be given his
assumption. Will he or any of his
ring show me the clause Of the Consti-
tuition requiring the Legislature to pay
s., 400 per mum for n Private Secre-
tary for his Excellency, or to increase
his own salary from $4,000 to $4,000.
Yet these little matters, originating at
the instance Of the ''ring," were APP
proved by this economical Executive.
This guardian Of the funds Of the people
finds no objection to any appropriation
whereby his own comfort and con.
venience are improved; none in the
world. need but mention the items Of
office rent, porterage and other Incl.
den,als, amounting in the aggregate to
n very large sum, which this vigilaut
custodian OF the Treasury has never
eviuced the slightest desire to snve the
people the expense Of, although in II