The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-01-26
The First Veto.
On the 18th inst, Gov. Cameron communi-
Gated the following paper to the Legislature
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.
GOVERNORS OFFICE,
January 10th, 1882. .


Gated the following paper to the Legislature:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, J
GOVERNORS OFFICE,
January 10th, 1882 j
To the Senate Of Ytrgista:
return herewith Senate Bill No. 81, of which the
title Is "A bill to ratify and confirm the consolida-
ton OF the Richmond and Southwestern Railway
Company with the Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio
Narrow Guage Railroad Company, under the name
and style Of the Richmond and Louisville Railroad
Company"
The avowed objects of this bill (and 1 do not mean
10 challenge the motives with which 1t has been
preparedl heartily sustain. But, after mature
consideration Of the measure submitted, gravely
doubling the results to follow upon its operation
constrained through considerations of public duty
and policy TO withhold my approval Of the BILL
shall briefly call your attention to the reasons
having considered, you will agree with them. Anx-
ions to promote every legitimate enterprise look
ing to the delevopment of the State and the pros
perity of the people, II Is with regret that even
appear to hinder or delay the accomplishment Of
Is this 30 when the particular
SECTION TO BE TRAvEEsED
is that richest In resources and neeessitous of
opportunity. The counties through which this
railroad is expected to are those which possess
everything but the means OF conveying to market
the wealth they produce and might produce. The
people Of Southwest Virginia entitled all the
encouragement the sovereignty Of the Common
wealth can give towards bringing their boundless
supply OF agricultural and mineral products to
mafket.
My objections to the bill do not extend to the
lines OF railway laid down. to the proposed con-
soiidatton Of these lines. These objects would
advise and advance. This construction OF road
upon the contemplated route is desirable, and I
see no objection to any legislation to secure its
construction and protect It when built But
notassent to that provision of the charter
which confers powers unnecessary to the accom-
Dlfshment OF its avowed objects-powers extraordf-
nary, and in my Judgment dangerous.
The fourth section OF the bill grants authority
the Richmond and Louisville Railroad Company
inv many
existing or which may hereafter be chartered with
IN or without this state, upon such terms as may
Dc agreed upon between II and such other com
pany, &c. L respectfully submit that this gen
erai and
ABSOLUTE SURRENDER
by the State of Virginia Of all power in premises
cannot be necessary to invite either domestic or
foreign capital necessary to consideration of the
work demanded by this act
The privileges sought at your hands out Of
all proportion to the aTowed ends. and are fncon-
ststent with the interests OF those people whose
assistance ts primarily invoked. The fulfllmento of
this work. far as the people of Virginia are to be
benefited, cannot be dependent upon conditions
wnich az least sugges Interior objects In anxiety
as to excite suspicion and repel enterprise. The
experience Of this State In respect to delegated
powers Is very recent and very instructive. In the
light OF that experience the policy OF Virginia,
determined by her people, is distinctly adverse to
any surrender Of sovereignty. In fact, the right
and power Of the Legislature to part with that SOW
ereignty Is. and 1 think properly, denied. In
any view,
Of this bill places 1t within the power whether
sought or not or to be used or mott of chartered
corporation to deliver itself under any stress OF
financial reduction or other influence bound hand
and foot to the control Of individuals or corpora
tons alfen In interest to this Commonwealth and
beyond the control Of the Legislature or the turs
diction Of the courts.
do not propose to erect standard Of judgment
superior to that Of the representatives of the
pie in the General Assembly, but 1t is my duty, and
would be recreant If did not discharge it, to sug
gest such objections the legality and policy of the
ton OF the subject 1t is my firm conviction, forti
fed by authority, that the language above quoted
to-Hit: ITO consolidate with any other railroad
company now existing or which may hereafter be
chartered within or without this State upon such
terms as may be agreed upon between it and such
other company" &c.-confers upon the Richmond
and Louisville Railroad Company such authority
as, without any benefit to legitimate purposes by
that charter proclaimed, may deprive the courts
Of this Stete Of all jurisdiction the affairs of said
company and may take away from the citizens OF
this Commonwealth all right TO seek
REDRESS FOR WRONG
received from this corporation at the hands Of
own tribunals. cannot signature even this doubt
that creature shall be stronger than its crea
tor.
The grant is broad, sweeping, general. If the
lines contemplated by this charter were already
eonstructed It would then be time enough to grant
the power Of consolidation with other companies
within or without the State, and even then having
objects antagonistic to the interests of those
whose grace was sought, and whose interests
should be second, 1T would be little enough to ask
the favor stating the aims and terms of the consol
Privilege Is asked purpose should be known, and
security should be given | fear that in allowing
might erect q corporation with
POWERS To TRANSFER ITS FRANCHISES
beyond the State Of Virginia, and to those who
could and might defeat the objects OF Its crea
ton.
support of these views refer to Railroad Com
pany Koonltz ct ais, recently decided, In which
the Chief Justice Of the United States delivering
the opinion of unanimous court held that suits In
sttuted against Virginia railroad under lease to
nonresident could be removed to Federal tr-
bunal.
If a mere lease effects such results, much more
viii the possible absorption by alien corporation
The mere reservation of principal ONCE in v1r-
ginfa would not alter the nonresident character of
the substantial defendant under consolidation
such as the grant permits. do not believe this
people willing to abandon their domestic
forums for redress to seek the distant, expensive
and unfamiliar courts to which this law may
remand them. No reason exists for It. and there
fore 1t is not right.
WILLIAM E. CAMERON.