The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-16
a VETO BY THE GOVERNOR.
Under It the Legislature Can't Meet
Until October.

ATLANTA, GA. Dec. 15.-UnIess Gov.
Northen's veto is overriden by the Senate
and House, which is hardly likely. the
Georgia legislature will not meet again
until next October. He sent his veto meas
ure TO the House this morning. "This bill, I"
says the governor. 'is. in my opiuion,
clearly contrary TO the letter aud spirit Of
the constitution of this state. Para
graph Ill, section w., article
Ill Of the constitution, as recently
amended, declared that the sessions of the
general assembly should be held annually.
The plainest construction to be put upon
this clause will rot allow an enactment,
simply fixing sessions in different calendar
years, but 1t requires the beginning Of the
session to be separated by one year to be
made annual
Whatever may be the ordinary inter
probation the term annually the one just
given must be the Interpretation intended
here, as the paragraph under consideration
further requires that the sessions shall be
held not only annually, but on the same
day. l respectfully submit, therefore, that
annual sessions cannot be held on the same
day II one session begins on the fourth
Wednesday in October and the other on the
second Wednesday in July.
The constitution provides that the day
may be changed by law and the opening Of
the day named, but 1t does not authorize
fixing different days in different weeks and
different months.
The bill under consideration, respect
fully submit, does not change the day
named in the constitution, but leaving it
undisturbed for the first session, names alto
gether another day for the second session OF
this general assembly.
at is further my opinion that the spirit
of the co stitution would be violated if the
sessions OF the general assembly should be
held so near together. on one hand, and so
widely apart on the other hand, as Is pro-
posed BY this bill"
81 feel quite sure in saying that, whilst
the purpose Of a change from biennial to
annual sessions of the general assembly was
to provide for contingencies Of the govern
ment as they arise at shorter intervals, il
was also intended to keep the periods equal
distant as before the change.
'Again, the legislative year has always
been made TO accord with the fiscal year.
A change of policy now would be unwise
and hurtful, as the general assembly would
find itself at the beginning of its second
session without such information from the
different departments of the state as would
suggest and determine suitable legislation
10 meet the needs of the state.
III this bill should become a law, and my
construction Of the constitution should be
found atterward TO be correct, the entire
work OF the next session would be void,
with possible disaster to the state.
For these reasons I return she bill
without my approval"
The Gober investigation committee made
its report to the House to-day. and imme>
diately Mr.. Boifeuillet moved to postpone
consideration of the report until tomorrow.
The indications tonight promise a lively
discussion. The young members seem
averse to accepting the committees report
without seeing the evidence, and resolu-
ton TO have the evidence printed will be
offered. This will certainly bring on
debate, as favorable action means post
ponement of the case until next session.
The bill abolishing Effingham's county
court passed the House unanimously to-
night and has been transmitted to the g0v-
ernor.
To-night's session was taken up entirely
in disposiDg Of Senate bills, as was also she
morning session.
Gov. Northen tonight signed the bill
giving she Savannah Thsater Company
nine feet of Bull street