New-York tribune., 1903-04-19
4 VETO IN CONNECTICUT
Question Of Time 4LIo5ced for Coz
ernOr to Act.

New Haven. April Is fSpeciel)-The construction
of that part Of the Connecticut constitution relating
TO the power Of the Governor IS likely to go
the Supreme Court OF the State for decision accord
ing 10 action taken in the Senate few days ago
The Senate by vote Of IS to sent TO the Attorney
General for opinion the question whether, in pre-
serting TO the House on last Wednesday his veto
Of the bill making a new town Of South Norwalk
Governor Chamberlain was within the letter of the
time limit for such veto required by the constitu-
ton Of the State # Attorney General King answers
as il is expected that he viii. that Governor Cham
berlain was late with his veto, the Supreme Court
VIII undoubtedly have chance TO decide this ques
ton which has risen in this State for the first
tine.
The Connecticut constitution in regard TO the veto
power is worded in precisely the manner
5he Constitution Of the United States except that
three instead of ten days given TO the chief
officer to return his veto The section reads: If
the (vetoed) bill shall not be returned by the Gov
ernor within three days Sundays excepted, after II
shall have been presented TO him, the same shall
be law in ike manner as if he had signed it, un-
less the General Assembly by their adjournment
prevents is return, in which it shall not be
law"
The case in point is al entirely new one in Con-
necticut. though the courts Of other States have
decided that the term days in the constitution
means calendar" days. and not session days
In March resolution passed by both houses
Of the legislature after severe fight dividing the
present town of NorwaIk and Incorporating from
II the new town of South Norwalk. Behind this
move was the personal ambition OF Samuel tesseh-
den, Of Stamford. powerful Republican factioIal
leader, who has been preparing for two years TO
regain control of the State party with ooulh
Norwalk giving him two additional representatives,
the Fessenden power could be that much increased
Against this move the Republican party fac
ton headed by Governor Chamberlain; the Sta0e
Central Committees chairman, Mr.. Gates, and
the leader Of the Republicans in the house M; M
Banks When the resolution came TO Inc tJoN-
erLor OF April l. he vetoed it, but DELAYED sendlng
n veto to e q
day. April :. the house having adjourned Hom
April 70 April I. -, .,
Cnder the Governors construction Of the consn+
tuition he within his right to do TINS, as put
three session days had elapsed from the cay ne ne
received the measure. The opposition TO the GOV
ernor, that had originally passed the Dill 5 incoI
porating South Norwalk as new town. aAeseu
that the was illegal as, on the Woralng @ o. !
the law more than the specified three Gays mao
passed. When this point was brought up ~, IN 4 the
house last Thursday on the discussion OF lhe Nelo
it was not admitted to be correct criticism OF me
Governors action, and was oVerruled, Inc NeIo
being sustained. In the Senate YESTERDAY It was was
voted 10 reopen the question and send II 10 Al
rorrev General King for a decision In case lne
Senate receives decision contrary TO tae pos Ign
by the Governor the question may 60 70 t4IS
SuDreTne Cou-l for final settlement II mas SO
happened in the course Of numerous vetos IN th1s
SIate that this question has never OetoFe pee4i
raised.