New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-24
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, TUESDAY JANUARY o. 1871

since the seminary at Alexandria was de-
stroyed by fire, and as have had occasion
to remark before, it is a very healthy and
pleasant locality. think it is highly neces-
sary that the Senate should understand the
nature and condition of matters there, 50
that some legislation can be passed prOvid-
ing for the accommodation of the inmates of
that institution. favor the adoption Of the
resolution, although l am not connected
with the committee that is to go there.
The resolution was adopted.
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY LEvEE BILL.
Mr.. Lynch: believe it is in order at any
time to call up "a veto message of the Gov
crnOr. l therefore ask that the veto mes
sage of the Governor on the Mississippi
Valley Levee bill be now considered by the
Senate:
Mr.. Blackman: How can Won act upon
this veto now, when the constitution of the
State requires that an appOrtiOnment shall
be made before we pass any legislation F!
This is certainly legislation, for if the bill
passes over the Governors veto. it will be-
come a law.
Mr.. Lynch: We do not propose to make it
a law.
Mr.. Blaekman: Even il it does not become
law, our action will be one of the steps
of legislation, because 1t defeats bill. l am
satisfied that under the article of the con-
stitutiOn which l refer to, we cannot act
upon this veto.
Mr.. Ray: 1t strikes me that the Senate
ought to act with some prOpricty in this
matter. l do not think there is any doubt
that the Legislature can not act upon this
question until the appOrtiOnment bill be-
comes law. If this bill should be passed
over the Governors veto. it will be an act
of legislation by the Senate. l can not
understand why those Senators that desire
to sustain the veto should wish to bring
this matter up before it can be legally
voted upon. l insist that any action we
take upon this matter will be absolutely
null and void. whether we vote to sustain
the veto or vote in opposition to it. ANY
vote that we take upon it is in direct viola
ton Of the constitution. Now | hope the
Senate will not place themselves i'll that
position. If the veto is to be sustained at
ALL it will be sustained just as we'll after
the apportionment blu is passed as now.
Mr.. Lynch: l called up this veto mes
sage because / thought it WAS proper to
take it up at any time and because conf
IDENTIFY expected that that veto would be
sustained 1t is not necessary that should
state at this time my objections to this bill
but certainly the statement from the dis
tinguisheJ Chairman of the Judiciary Com
mittee is little singular. 1t is true that
affirmative legislation prior to the passage
of an appOrtiOnment bill is liable to consti-
tutional objection but l venture to say
that the distinguished Senator from
Ouachia, and every other Senator on this
floor, has now in his pocket part of the pro-
ceeds of the appropriation bill, which has
been acted upon bv both Houses of the Gen
eral Assembly without any opposition being
made to it. If bill of that kind, affirmative
in its character, could be passed. it seems
to me that we can act upon this veto mes
sage when that action is negative in its
nature. l shall not make any argument Oh
this question; but l am in favor of testing
the sense of the Senate on this veto mes
sage at once. and hope it will be taken up.
The Senate decided to take up the veto
message, which was read by the Secretary.
Mr.. Ray moved to postpone the consider
alton of the question until Monday, the
thirtieth of January. which was laid upon
the table, on motion OF Senator Lynch.
Mr.. Ray moved to postpone further con
sideration of the subject until Monday, the
twenty third of January. which was also
tabled, on motion of Senator Lynch.
Mr.. Lynch: l now move that the vote he
taken OH the question whether the veto
message shall or shall not be sustained. and
call for the previous question.
Mr.. Lewis: would request the Senator
to withdraw his call for the previous qucs-
81
this subject.
Mr.. Lynch: would be very glad to ey-
tend that courtesy to the gentleman but
the motions that have been made were evil
IDENTIFY intended to delay the consideration
OF this matter. and to waste the time OF the
Senate. ]. therefore insist upon my call for
the previous question.
The previous question was ordered.
The vote was then taken on the question.
as to whether the bill should or should not
become Il law. the Governors veto 10 the
contrary notwithstanding which resulted III
a vote of 3! nays. and yeas.
Mr.. Lewis moved for a reconsideration of
tl,at vote. but was decided out of order by
til. Chair. Mr.. Pinc!back having raised the
point OF order that the consideration of tho
Governors veto mcSsay" was virtual re-
consideration o: the vote by which the bill
finally passed and /. motion 10 reconsider
toe vote by Ni,ici the Governors veto was
sustained WAS out OF order.
Mr.. Lewis .vpealei from, the decision OF
the Chair.
The Chair was sustained.
The >cnat., then :di0nInc1