The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1908-02-13
VETO FOR BR|BE
BILL IS GIVEN
BY SPARKS
Measure as Passed by the
Legislature Found OBJ
jectiOnable

Governor Sparks has vetoed one
of the bills passed by the special ses-
sion of the legislature, all of the
other bills being signed and turned
over to the secretary of state in ac-
cordance with law. The measure ve-
toed was passed unanimously both in
went to the governor with probably
the best record of any measure that
was presented to the special session.
But it appears that the bill had a
Joker In IL which was later found
and as a consequence the measure
was sent to the land of oblivion.
The bill was one presented by the
famous committee of "20" which fig
ured so prominently In the special
session. 1t was originally drawn by
J. S. Donnegan, writer of the
Hearst staff on labor questions, and
related to the question of bribing
union men or officers.
In his veto message Governor
Sparks goes upon the ground that the
measure was too restrictive, evident
~ inclining to the view that besides
it's unconstitutional features that 1t
would also prove detrimental to en-
ployers of labor where they desired
to reason" or make showing to
employees. The veto message reads:
Nv. G.. Douglas, Secretary of State,
Carson City. Nevada.
Sir:-I herewith deposit with you,
without my approval. Senate Bill No.
IA, An act prohibiting the bribery
of officers, members or representa-
tives of labor organizations, and pro-
viding penalties for the violation
thereof and request that you return
the same to the Nevada legislature
when next In session.
This act is certainly contradictory
In terms; very absurd, inasmuch as
II imposes a severe penalty against
a person who gives, or offers to give,
any money or other thing of value to
any officer, member or representative
of a labor organization. with intent
to influence him In respect to any of
his acts. decisions or other duties as
such officer.
1.-THE crime is by this act made a
felony, and upon conviction thereof
shall be imprisoned in the Nevada
state prison for term of not less
than one year, nor more than five
years. This act goes further and
states that. no person shall be ex-
cused from attending and testifying
or producing any books, papers, or
other documents before any court or
magistrate upon any investigation,
etc. and further providing that the
testimony or evidence, documentary
or otherwise, required of him shall
not subject him to any penalty.
This seems to me to be on the
part of the state an act to compel
persons to produce the evidence nee
essary to self conviction for felony,
and then compound the felony by
striking out all penalty for the crime.
1t is a well established rule of law
and courts that no one can be CON-
PEELED to give testimony incriminat-
ing himself.
Believing that this act. II 1t be-
come a law, will create confusion and
contention. | withhold my approval
and refer 1t to the next session of
the legislature. Respectfully,
JOHN SPARKS, Governor"
The vetoed measure was designed
to prevent stock jobbing by barter
ing with labor unions. and the law
was patterned after one now in force
In New York. There has been much
complaint In regard to alleged deals
made between brokers and certain
leaders of the miners and the act