Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-02-14
GOVERNOR MAY
NOT SIGN BILL
Allegations That Measure
Failed to Get Required
Constitutional Vote.
LEGALITY ATTACKED.
Senator Early Calls Attention to
Provisions of Section 30 of the
State Constitution.

Especial Dispatch to the Gazette)
Richmond, Va, Feb. 14.--The fol-
lowing prepared statement was given
out at the Office of the Governor at
noon today:
Governor Stuart said this morning
that he would receive briefs or other
statements in writing for ant, aga;nsi
the contention that a constitutional.
majority was not Registered for the
conference report on the enabling act,
but that he would see no delegation
on the subject Considering this a
purely constitutional and parliamen-
tary question, the Governor said he
would consult constitutional and par
liamentary authorities of his own Sc
lection before reaching a conclusion
It is held TO be significant that the
governors statement makes it appear
that he is in '!oubt as to the consti-
tutionality Of the single point upon
which he will seek advice
Richmond, Va, Feb. 14.-Governor
Stuart was asked yesterday after
noon by State Senator Early not to
sign the Williams enabling act on
the groum;I that it had failed to Sc
cure the constitutional majority of
all the members elected to the SEN
ate, and was, therefore, void.
Senator Early called the attention
Of the Governor to section so of the
State Constitution and found the Gov
ernor, who was q member OF the con-
stitutona! Convention, sufficiently ia
miliar with it to quote the passage
from memory Governor Stuart dil
not indicate his position as to the bill,
which is not yet legally before him,
the enrolled copy not having been
signed by the speaker of the House
and President OF the Senate.
He SAID however, that ne would
give the matter careful consideration,
ar,l it is probable that when it comes
uo. he will hear arguments as to the
constitutionality of the bill and the
manner of its passage.
Section 50 of the State Constltu-
ton, which specifies how a bill shall
be considered and voted on by the
two houses of the General Assembly,
reads: "And provided further, that
mo bill which creates, or establishes ::
new office, or which creates continues
or revives debt or charge, or makes,
continues, or reWves any appropria-
tion public or trust money, or prop
er+v or releases, discharges, or COM
mutes any claim or demand Of the
State, or which imposes, continues or
revives a tax, shall be passed except
hv the affirmative vote of the major
itv Of all the members elected to
each house, the vote to be by yeas
and nays, am, the names OF the mem
bers voting for and against, enter
ed on the journal.
"There are forty members eiecteu
to the State Senate, not counting the
I ieut-Governor, who presides over its
1o,i,,er. a;ons" said Senator Early
last night.
"a majority, therefore is twenty
one votes. Even counting the Lieut.
Governor who was not elected to
the Senate, and who, I do not thinN
could be counted in making maJorit!
of the number elected, this bill only
received twenty affirmative votes,ano
vet was declared adopted.
1T may be contended that tbs
vote taken today was on conference
report-not on the passage of the bll
and that the bill passed several
days ago by vote larger than the
requiref constitutional majority
! The bill as it came from the con.
iference committee was amended ii
many particulars. The provision
exemptine brandy from the Senate
wine amendment was absolutel!
new matter, which had not been dis
cussed, considerel or presented t.
either the House or Senate. Il
many other respects tho vtoe on tht
conference was the final passage o,
the bill.
! "The bill in terms RENTS a ia,
! now amounting to about 100000 :