The Greeley tribune., 1912-06-13

cost the state many times hs huc"
ms the passage OF the bill under the
initiative provision of our constitu,
ton. and no appreciahle time would
he saved thereby. called special
session of the general assembly two
wears ago, expecting 1t to pass the
bills we had promised IN our pat
form within twenty days. but, not
withstanding the fact that the bills
could easily have been passed with
in that time, the senate and house
continued in session for seventy
three days. at n cost to the state OF
SSO,962.76.
Under the new law the cost OF an
extraordinary session would be less.
hut one-half OF the senators are
still on per diem compensation of
$500 per day, and all the one hum
dren members would be entitled to
travelling expenses. Such expendi-
lures, together with the cost OF
printing, OF supplies, OF employees
salaries and clerks salaries. would
make the total expense four or five
hundred dollars per day.
1t is impossible to determine the
length OF a special session. After
the governor once issues the call he
has no control OF the time OF the
session. He cannot limit the num-
ber OF bills which may be introduc-
ed. nor can he prescribe the exact
nature OF the bills ne wants passed.
Governor Waite undertook to pre-
scribe somewhat particularly the
law as to attachments which ne
wanted passed at special session
called in 1894. but the supreme
court in 10th Colorado. at page
-. \
scribe the details.
AS governor I would have no
right to prescribe in the call that
the internal Improvement fund
should be placed in the hands of
the state highway commission to be
expended by 1t in the construction
of roads and bridges. In all likeli-
hood on the converting of the spec
ial session 6S road bills, commonly
called Pork Barrel Bills. cores
ponding with the 6S bills which
vetoed. would be introduced and
passed That would necessitate me
again vetoing each and every one
OF them.
The platform upon which the
democratic party was elected in
1910 provided that. I'VE favor the
appropriation of the money derived
from the national improvement
fund to the use of the state high
way commission, to be equitably ap-
propriated and distributed by 1t
among the several counties OF the
state for roads and bridges"
That convention. and the people.
no longer wanted this great fund
to be divided and traded bv men,
bers OF the legislature with each
other Yor legislative favors or for
votes for United States senators
When the eighteenth general as
sembly, in violation OF that pledge
to the people, passed those 6S bills.
deemed 1t my duty to veto each
and every one OF them and to sign
the bill which provided that what
ever was left of that fund should be
expended by the state highway COM
mission. Still seeing my duty as l
did then, in all probability there
would be a constant and continued
warfare between the executive and
the majority of the members Of the
general assembly, which would tend
to make long and unpleasant ses-
sion at great expense to the state
and to the disturbance of business
conditions.
1t probably would result in the
assembly remaining in session until
after the time prescribed by the
constitution in which the governor
may veto bills. and upon the trans
mission OF such vetoes. pass the
! same over his head. do not want
this administration upon this mat
ter to Jump from the frying pan
into the fire.. The people have al
ways been opposed to extraordinary
sessions Of the legislature, except
when they are necessary to enact
legislation involving great govern
mental principles affecting the right
and liberties of the people. No spec
ial session OF the general assembly
In this state has ever been approved
by the people except that one which
gave to the people the initiative and
referendum law. the direct primary
law and the election of United
states senators by direct vote OF
the people, similar to the Oregon
statute.
Even II a bill placing this fund
In the hands of the state highway
commission was passed at a spec
ial session. 1t would not become ef-
fective before November. 1912 The
notice OF the time for the legisla-
ture to convene should be at least
fifteen days; the session. in my
Judgment, would last more than
thirty days: under our constitution,
since the adoption OF the initiative
and referendum amendments, no
law can become effective until
ninety days after the adjournment
OF the general assembly except as
to laws necessary for the immediate
preservation OF the public peace
health or safety. and appropriations
for the support and maintenance of