Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-09
GOVERNOR GAMBLERS.
.VET0ES ENDORSED

The Augusta Chronicle has an interesting eds
itorial the subject Of Governor Canalers We
sion. The Chronicle says:
There seems to be some misapprehension on
the part OF certain editors and the -pueifc
about Governor Gamblers veto of appropriation
bills for private parties.
because the widow Of Mr.. King, who died
during the session OF the Legislature lust Closed
was paid her husbands per diem for the entire
session. while the widows or MessrE. johnson.
of jefferson and McWhorter, OF Oglethorpe.
were not Insre was nc so a. ro,sd n
bill or resolution to pay Mrs. King, nor was
there any passed. None was necessary. Sns
was psid not on the governors warrant, but on
the CERTIFICATES Of the speaker Of the house BY
authority of section 81 of the CODE which IS
member Of the general assembly shall die
during the session or afterwards, without haF-
the amount due him Tor the whole session shall
be paid to the widow OF the deceased rms IS
a general law and is imperative. and The The
which Il, was enacted, for her husband died
RI,t mis- general law did not apply to the
cases OF Mrs. johnson and Mrs. McWhorter
Their husbands did not die during the ses-
sion hut months before IL began The people
of their counties had elected new members TO
succeed them and these new members were
nresent At the beginning Of the late session ana
occuuied the seats and drew the pay for every
day OF the session. II was because the treas
1rer could not pay them under the general law
that the EFFORT was made TO pass specific laws
Tor their benefit. But Governor Gambler could
not approve these specinc btfls because no such
bills have ever been allowed te become laws
in the past and because they were plain viola
tions OF the constitution, which expressly de-
clares paragraph L section ~. sreiq I . an4t
ing a donation or gratuity to any person, corpo-
ration or association.
These bills attempted TO grant oonatons ont
of the state treasury TO the widows Of two
gentlemen, neither Of whom had served the
state single hour Of the session for which
it was proposed TO pay them The governor w .ss
oath to uphold the constitution. II Is part o.
the duties OF the governor 20 prevent Sucn raios
an the treasury. n he had approved these bills
from cowardice a desire for popularity he
would have established DANGEROUS precedent
that might have cost the state hundreos OF
can he made in violation of the constitution q
donation OF 500, 900 can be made with equat
propriety. and the governor who allows either
10 be made is moral coward ana u unworthy
OF the place he holds.
The same is true Of the bill vetoed by Gov
ernor Gambler TO donate s44l to the widow or
the late Adjutant General Kell, He had been
osid every dollar due him up to the date OF
1is death The state did not owe him farthing.
and this was conceded, but the Dill proposes
his widow in palpabie violation Of the constitu-
ton It was to prevent just such legislation
that the veto power was given 20 the governor
~ he because Of cowardice or a desire to be
popylar fails to protect the taxpayers OF the
state against such raids on their treasury. ne
Il unfaithfuI and unworthy OF his otnce. Gov
icised for these vetoes -,
criticism OF the introducers Of these bills they
we're actllafed by generous impulse and did
what they did in a desire to befriend those
who possibly needed the appropriations they
nroposed But the constitution prescrfbes Tor
Tvhst fhe legislature may make appropriations
and prescribes the duty Of the governor. 4t
would have been gracious ana e pleasant
also have been illegal and the course OF the
governor was manifestiy right