The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-09-26
THE VETO.
Mayor Willis Reason For Not APPROX
ine the Appropriation For College
Scholarships.


The following il the foil text OF the
Communication addressed to the tliy
Council by Mayor Willis yetoing the Col
lege appropriation;
regular meeting OF the common
Council Of the City Of FredericSs burg a,
held on the 18th day oiSeptember. lO3.
the following resolution, offered 10y Mr.
Bradley al the regular meeting IN Aug.
ust. 1903. and laid over until the regular
September meeting, viz
Resolved. That the committee on
schools I've empowered To continue the
ten scholarships in the Fredericksburg
College for the coming year, under the
same conditions and regulations IA gov
erned il last year. WAS adopted by the
following recorded vote, viz. For Messr'.
Revere. Rowe. Bradley. Dannehl, Nils
Chancellor and Brent seven; agains,'
Me-srs. Cole. NrOien. tmbrey anu Wal
Lace. four.
Certified to the honorable MAYOR
ol the City of Frederics sburg, Va this
Sept. / sth. 1903.
Teste:
James L. COrbin
Clerk OF the Council
For reasons in writing hereto attach
ed. | do not approve the foregoing rfsoiu'
ton. ,,..,,.
Sept. 22nd, 1908
To the Common Council OF the 'ity
OF fredericksburg, "a.
Gentlemen:
| regret that feel it my duty, under my
oath 10 support the Constitution and
law Of Virginia. TO return the resolution,
having the effect OF an ordinance. pnfsed
by your body on the 18th instant, direct
ING in its results the sum OF 500 90 to
be appropriated from the Treasury oi
the Civ OF Fredericksburg To be used ~
"A consideration for contract on TIT
part Of the city 70 be paid to the freler
icksburg College for the education Al hls
collage Of ten scholars. residents OF ihis
city.
From the best Information ! can Oh.
tain. am forced u the conclusion that
the Common Counril has no right 70
make an appropriation OF The pnbiic
funds for the purpose OF sending scholars
10 anv school or institution OF learning
mot owned or exclusively controlled 10y
the State or some political division there
Of except that il may make sppropria
tion ..to non-sectarian schools OF manual
industrial and technical training -ee
section III of the Constitution oi VII
ginia) The purpose OF the proposed ap
nropriation Is for the education at an 10
stitution Of learning Of ten scholars, anc
nm forced TO the conclusion that th'
Council has no right TO appropriate
public funds for such q purpose. ! can
not see that this positive Inhibition o
the Constitution can be avoided by tn
nroposed contract. While the City o
/ fredericksburg can make contract To
the extent Of it's powers, given IL by III
charter. not inconsistent with the Con
stitution. IL can not make contract TN
carving ont of which IL prohibited 10y
the Constitution. and as public none.
must be used to cOnsummate the eNecu
ton of the proposed contract. and a
the Constitution says you shall not az
nropriate public money Tor any instltu
lion of learning, il the provision oi tn
Constitution can be avoided by sue
, means, tnen tnt IouuOh Cpui" HPP'"f
ate public money for any illegal purpos
under guise OF q contract. ! therefor
think that the setting aside OF $500 TO
the special use OF concentrating a col
tract not authorized by Law lsnch Sc
ting aside of the said amount being pos
lively prohibited by the Constitution
illegal and herewith return said resol'
ton. having the effect Of an ordinanc
! with my veto, to the Clerk OF the CogneI
but in differing from the majority OF u
: Council do not intend directly or u
directly to reflect on the conscientlo,'
conviction OF any member OF the bod
who may differ from me. =,
: Given under my hand as Mayor oil u
A City Of Fredericksburg this, the III
:. NJ. G Willis. Mayor.