Milford chronicle., 1923-04-13
GOVERNOR HAS NO
REPORT TO MAKE NOW
When Legislature Re-COnvened He
Made Claim That Absence OF
Legislature
HAD MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE
To Return Bills Within Time Limit
Specified By COnstitutiOn--DemO
cratic Leaders Dazed.

Governor William D. Denney threw
the Democratic members of the Cen
eral Assembly into turmoil on Tues
oay When they reconvened in accord
ance with their adjournment resolu-
tlon OF March 28th. Soon after the
houses had convened word was sent to
Governor Denney, that they were.
ready to hear from him as to what ac-l
ton had been taken by him, on the
several bills passed and sent to him
before adjournment in March. The
Governor informed the committees
sent to him that he had no report to
make. The Constitution of the State
OF Delaware is very clear in it's pro-
visions governing such controversy as
has arisen between the Governor and
the members of the General Assembly.
1t provides that when the legislature
is not in session so that the Governor
shall have an opportunity to return
bills, these bills shall be acted upon
by him within thirty days after final
adjournment, and that only bills that
receive his approval shall become
laws.
Section Is of Article of the con-
stitution referred to reads as follows:
If any bill shall not be returned by
the Governor within ten days, Sunday
excepted, after it shall have been pre-
sented to him, the same shall be law
in like manner as if he had signed it,
unless the General Assembly shall, by
adjournment prevent its return, in
which case it shall not become law
without the approval of fde Govern
or No 10 cha11 hNoo,,o1 y 10
the final adjournment of the General
Assembly, unless approved by the
Governor within 80 days after such
adjournment.
The action of the Governor threw
the Democratic leaders of both bodies
into 'muddle." They were at a loss
just what procedure to take in the
controversy. Finally, late in the af-
ternoon on Tuesday, the Senate pass
ed Concurrent Resolution asking the
Governor for advice as to the action
taken by him on the bills. Three Re
publicans, Senators Highfeld, Walker
and Ridgley, who have been voting
pretty regularly with the Democrats,
supported the measure. When the res
OlutiOn reached the House it was not
brought up for action, and therefore
it died. Dire threats were made by
some of the Democratic members that
they would adjourn sine die immedi-
ately, without making any appropria-
tiOns for the conducting of the schools,
or of the State Highways for the next
two years; but these empty threats
failed to move the Governor in his
stand, that he was within his consti-
tutional rights. That the bluff failed
was attested on Wednesday when the
biennial school budget was passed by
he Senate.
1t is said that the Democrats claim
hat they have received opinions from
many Democratic lawyers of promi-
hence who say that the Governor has
erred in his sand; but Republicans say
hat it is pretty safe bid to say
hat the Chief Executive of the State
lad able legal advice before he took
lis stand on the matter. At any rate
he majority party of the legislature
how by their actions, that they are
whipped at their own game. When ad-
ournment was made they openly
stated that it was for the purpose of
'assing ripper measures over the Gov
'rnor's veto; but they oVerstepped
heir constitutional bounds and re-
NAMED away eleven days, instead of
he ten legislative days as stated by
he constitution. Because of this the
GOVERNOR claims that he had no oppor-
unity to return the bills within the
en- day period named, for the simple
eason that there was no one there
o return them to.
Several minor bills were acted upon
y both branches of the legislature on
The Highway Bill, which
vas killed in the Senate before ad-
in March was re-consider-
d and put back upon the calendarl
10 action was taken on it on Wednes-
ay afternoon until today, and it is
expected that action will be taken on
he Highway Bill sometime during
he day. 1t is thought that final ad-
will be taken late this af-
ernoon.