Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-25
VETO THE CHARTER.
RossLyS WILL NOT BECOME AN IN
oonronAhsp TOWN NOW.
GIVES CONSTITUTIONAL REASONS.
Thc Governors veto Message Also In
dicntcs That Other Motives In
ley Thinks the min a Had One.

Senate without his approval. the bill
Incorporating the little town of Rosslyn
| located between the city Of Alexandria
and Washington.
A great deal OF interest has been
aroused as TO what would be the Gov
ernor's action. in view Of the determined
| opposition made by citizens of the town
| against being Incorporated under such a
| charter. which, 1t was said, was designed
to turn the little place into Monte Carlo
for the benefit Of Alexandria and Wash
ington sporting men.
A number of excellent citizens assured
the Governor that there was no such in
ter ton; that the charges made by an
| Alexandria delegation against the officers
named in the charter were believed 10 be
| unfounded, while expressions OF ale law
| yers as TO the constitutionality Of the
bill were submitted.
Previous TO the signing Of the bill, how
ever Colonel Barley. the Delegate from
Alexandria who was the patron of the
bill in the House. wrote the Governor
that he had further examined it, and be-
lieved that 1t should be vetoed.
THE VETO MESSAGE.
Following is the text of the message
accompanying the returned bill:
Richmond, Va, February q, 1885,
To the Senate:
Senate bill No. 1876. entitled an act to
incorporate the town of Rosslyn, in the
county of Alexandria, is hereby returned
TO your honorable body, in which it origi-
mated.
1t is not unusual for bills to be present
ed to representatives, especially near the
close of the session. with the request TO
have them passed as quickly as possible,
and often members themselves do not
catch the full bearing Of the measure.
Therefore, in stating my objections TO
this bill i must be understood as making
no criticism Of its patron, or OF others
who gave il their support Both the Sena-
tor and Representative assure me that
the town would be the best means of pro-
noting good order at the place. 1t Is a
conceded fact that to have a monopoly
of the gambling business in this section |
would be Of immense value. i have given |
as much time as possible to parties repre- |
senting both sides of the question. and |
have read much of the voluminOus matter |
that has been presented for my consica- |
rat ton.
WILL SUPPRESS LAWLESSNESS.
There are objections to this bill both of |
a constitutional and prudential nature, |
and / feel quite sure, with proper time |
for consideration this bill would not have
passed either branch Of the General /
Assembly. As TO the moral or prudential |
reasons, / need have but little to saw IL |
will ever be my duty to exercise to the |
fullest every power at my command TO
suppress lawlessness OF every kind |
Whether or not II is the purpose of this
measure to create and shield from out
side interference Monte Carlo" at this
point, or whether the parties designated
as officers under this charter are repu-
able or disreputable characters, is not
question / feel called upon TO discuss or
iecide. Suffice II to say / could not give |
my approval to a measure where the
slightest charge of unfitness Is made, and
specially when we should give TO this
section men in every way above suspicion
o execute the laws at such an important
The Constitution. Article VI, section p.
says: All regular elections for city or
town officers under this article shall be
helt on the fouth Thursday in May,
ana the ofiicers-elect shall enter upon
ceeding.' while this bill requires the
election to be held on the Tuesday after
the first Monday in November 1t is
claimed that under section 20 Of the same
article Of the Constitution authority is
found for this extraordinary and unusual
feature. Though l have not been able TO |
obtain the opinion Of the Attorney-Gene-
raj on this point but viewing IL from |
|
authority is conferred by said section.
Article VI. section q, is the only one pre-
;cribing the time when county and town !
elections shall be held and / think il is
/ mandatory provision. Surely this must
be the opinion of the Legislature when
[ is considering the question Of submit
ing an amendment TO the Constitution
or consolidating the time for holding
State and county elections / see no
easons why this town should have the
privilege Of holding its elections on an
,ther day than that prescribed by the
Constitution Of all other counties, cities,
md towns in the State.
IF NOT UNCONSTITU-
TIONAL.
The Code of 1887, chapter A. sections
OBJ TO 104S. provides fully for the organi-
alton of towns, &C., and / can see no
eason for departing from it. The propo- {
ition to legislate officers in this town
nto office for a period of nearly four
ears. which involves the ignoring of four
ocular elections. seems to be unneces-
airy If not unconstitutional During the
ime these officers thus hold their offices
he people will be taxed without having
voice in electing the officials who i'm
ose taxes upon them.
Except upon the presumption that the
eople inhabiting the proposed town of
.ossyn are totally incapable OF self
overnment there does not seem TO me {
ny defensible reason why the General =
ssembly should foist upon them for ;
arm of nearly four years a set of town
Ulcers in whose selection they are not | q
emitted to have any voice and of /
hose fitness the General Assembly has n
ad but little knowledge, and whom the
eople Of Rosslyn might reject under the
sual methods OF popular election.
There is no clause limiting or fixing the
Mount of salaries or emolument that
ay be paid to these officers and the
le control of the funds of the town is
their hands, 10 do with as they see fit.
his is certainly a dangerous power.
rhe Mayor OF the town is to be eX-
icio a Justice Of the Peace. and OF
urse has jurisdiction over all sums
der 800. The Sheriff and constables OF
eXandria county are forbidden to eX-
else any Of their powers or duties with
the bounds of this proposed town. How
uld process be served upon parties
ing In the town when the amount I'm
ntroversy would exceed 800? Again, In
Sc the Mayor Of the town should be
lily Of malfeasance or misfcasance in
ice. before what tribunal could he be I
ed? Again, the bill provides that the
wn may send its criminals 10 the Jail
Alexandria county provided the town
VS. all expenses of such criminals Sup l
Sc the town should have more criminals
an IL has money to care for, what would
do with the number i'm excess?
This bill prescribes matters pertaining
the Incorporation of the town, and at
q same time limits the jurisdiction OF
unity officers. c
EMBRACES TWO OBJECTS. l.
Does 1t not embrace two objects. and :
srefore repugnant TO Article v section :
of the Constitution? y
here is a provision that all property L
the town Is TO be exempt from all d
lnty levies, provided il keeps up it's n
n roads, streets, and schools and sup
rts its own poor. These enumerated
lects are not al OF cOunty's ex-
1ses, and should taxes be needed for .,
Ter PURPOSES common TO hofh toxv, and =.