The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-31

[For the Dispatch.1
The EoYernOr'S VCtO-..Whnt NeXt?

Considering dispassionately Governor
kemper's veto OF the James river lease-bill,
and not attempting to follow his compost
ton step by step-which would be almost
as hard reading as the veto itself-one or
two things may, / hope, be said with pro-
priety.
The bill has been fought in every way for
about two and half months. 1t was as
hard n legislative battle as is often wit
messed, aud was won by the lease. That
| measure had this disadvantage to contend
with: it was brought on the field late, and
the friends OF the railroad could commit,
and did commit, good many members to
their support who, out Of pure good nature
and in the supposed absence OF any compc-
ting proposition, allowed themselves to be
pledged in advance of any discussion. 1t
had this further tactical disadvantage: its
opponents, trained to the fight by last ses-
son's contest, were compact; its friends
were rallied upon new issue. AS ncces-
sary consequence, it could only win favor
upon discussion. To have succeeded in
this way all men OF legislative experience
know it must have presented extraordinary
merit
In such n discussion every one at all
| familiar with the facts knows that every
point OF law made by the Governor was ar
gued on the floor OF both houses by op-
posing lawyers, all of them as good lawyers
as the Governors most partial friends can
suppose him to be; and after such arSu-
ment I'LL the points were decided against
him.
In the same way every ground OF policy
in the lease was gone over; and there again
the decision was against the Governor.
AS all The points OF law thus decided
o,x,;,.+ hin, oo,ld baya hno, cattla6 whom
necessary, by the courts, and as he last winter
approved the railroad bill (when precisely
similar points came up, and have placed
that railroad law in chancery), he must be
either bad or inconsistent lawyer, accord
ing as he has failed to see, or neglected to
make, the same points in the railroad bill
last winter.
His anxiety to protect private rights in
yaded by the lease appears little singular to
those Of US who know that some OF the very
largest stockholders and some bondholders
are the warmest friends Of the lease bill. I
myself know OF one holder Of $4,000 worth
Of bonds who thinks the lease is the only
feasible plan ever suggested for completing
the canal; and know OF one concern rep
resenting 1000 shares OF stock who have
been among the most active friends OF that
measure. AS they and others will re-
half as superservicable, which I am
compelled to do, and as he can be
proved to have taken the ground at
the last session that it was not for him but
for the Legislature to shape the policy OF
the State in regard to this improvement,
oplnc there must be some other ground
which was the real motive Of his course.
He himself may not be aware Of it-greater
men than Governor kemper have been un-
consciously guided by their passions, pre-
iudicca, partalitics, and caprices; but to
those who have watched the course OF this
matter and the influences that have been at
work it appears as il his judgment had been
warped by an attachment to favoritcs in
and out Of office.
Upon this theory what shall the Legisla-
ture do! Shall they permit themselves,
more especially shall the lower House per-
NIT itself, to be "bulldoZed q second time
by the friends of n railroad? Shall the fact
that these indefatigable gentlemen have got
the Governor committed to their unconsti-
tutional Legislation frighten them from their
deliberate and twice deliberately voted con-
victions For the sake OF their own man
illness it is to be hoped not.
Shall the threat that their " non-action
(meaning, suppose, three months hard
work. will defeat legislation lead them now
to endeavor to mature bill in three days
Can they make q good bill in three days ?
They know they cannot. s-..':E s.sr. n
What then Throw the whole response
bility on the Governors shoulders; adopt
resolutions instructing him to appoint State
proxies who will represent the legislative
will, and who shall investigate fully the,
affairs and management Of the James River
and Kanawha Company, and have that re-
port-the facts--ready for the next meeting
of, the General Assembly. BY that time
Governor Kemper's term will have expired,
and the friends OF the canal can have fair
show. 5.. .r..l-- .-. 90. j ,,,aa .y ~.
Ii his course makes an extra session ne
cessary, let him who has made it necessary
take the responsibility Of calling it, *''
A Doc LEAPS FROM A TOWER ONE Hun
nprD FpET HIGH AND is IJSHURT, eSterday