The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-20
ron Tna pEopLE,s yEro.


II tho General Assembly of Virginia
had had as much regard for the weight
OF constitutional authority before vot-
ing upon the bill to submit in 1917 tho
constitutional amendment giving unlim-.
tied tenure TO city trsasurers and COM
missioners as did Governor Mann in re-
turning TO that body that measure
without action on his part, the matter
would mover have been laid before the
Governor at ALL because 1t would never
have received legislative sanction.
1t is Just to Governor Mann to say
that his decision Is in accord with the
weight of authority upon the question
OF his power 10 veto u bill to submit
q constitutional amendment. Tho cases
which vest the veto power as TO such
proposals In the Executive are in the
minority. The Governors legal adviser
cites a decision of the United States
Supreme Court, q Pennsylvania decision
declaring that the process OF amending
the Constitution is not lawmaking in
its strict sense. 4 Maryland decision
asserting that only tho Leglsla ture can
propose an amendment and that the
Governor has nothing to do with it.
In some States 1t is TO be Observed,
Tho practice of submitting such pro-
posals to the Governor continues, rs
Jameson points out in his work, Con
stitutional Conventions" Arkansas is
jurisdiction following this procedure.
SO ara Louisianu and California.
Governor Manu's decision is upheld
by the Supreme Courts of Michigan.
North Dakota. Pennsylvania. Nebraska
and Maryland. The Governor makes
The striking point that If he had the
right TO veto it would require two
thirds vote OF the General Assembly to
amend although tho Constitution re-
quires but . majority.
In the matter before him Governor
Mann did two things which the General
Assembly distinctly did not do % Con-
sidered the question carefully and iii
Its legal and constitutional aspects;
CD followed the weight of constitu-
tional authority. For doing these
things he is as much TO be praised as
the General Assembly is to be c.nsured,
despite the fact that he only did his
plain duty. If the Legislature had
given the question as searching and
complete consideration as the Governor.
1t would not have given its sanction
10 proposal which. according to the
weight OF constitutional authority. is
invalid and unconstitutional.
The question Is not yet settled. There
Is higher power than the Legisla-
ture. Tn people, il whom is vested the
Nnal veto power IN the decision of this
matter. The battle is not half begun.
Tho people, who once already have de-
MED city treasurers and commissioners
the right to succeed themselves indeii
nitsly, VIII hardly reverse themselves.
The oihceholdsrs trust carried the GEN
erai Assembly. mi e"n:4t carry tho peo-
ple2 There are sim. left voters in Vir-
pin!a like those who protest IN letters
10 ue. rs does a Dinwiddie man: Keep
up the good work. You are entirely
tight" Like that oil one in Wythe.
who says: Allow me 10 congratulate
you Oh the outpost stand you have
taken. assure you that you have
man, client patriot By your side
Llke an indignant Southwest Virginian,
VINO says: The Times Dispatch has
stepped to the iron, ana faarlcssly and
properly defended our constitutional
rights ana exposed the acts and meth
oaa. OF the Legislature in its unwarrant-
"a usurpntlon OF the powers vested in
II in its attempt 10 override tho wishes
OF tie people and DEFY The Constitution.
Il Is time for every citizen to enter his
protest" Il is a question which the
'aiisnt patriots" must decide bu, in
thsir decision they Will be guided by
the fullest publicity as TO the devious
"ay in which the General Assembly. at
tne behest Of q band OF oiicehoIders
mora powerful than the peopie. rode
roughshod over tho Constitution.
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