Milford chronicle., 1929-02-15
LEGISLATORS GET NO
MILEAGE, SAYS MIR.
BUCK VETOING BILL
Governor Presents Ruling OF
AttOrney.GeneraI Which Riles
Members.
BARS ALL FUTURE CLAIMS
GOvnerOr Agrees To Submit Ques-
tiOn OF COnstitutiOnslity To
Court En- Blanc.

Governor C. Douglass Buck threw
a bomb into the legislature last Fri
day afternoon when he vetoed the
bill passed by both Houses allowing
mileage at the rate of ten cents a
mile to the members of the last leg
islature. Not only did the governor
veto the bill but he made it plain
that no mileage can be allowed in
the future The veto was sent to the
House which is the branch of the
General Assembly in which the Inea-
sure originated and on motion of Mr..
Brewer the bill was referred back to
the committee on claims.
The Governors conclusions are
based on an opinion of the attorney
general who holds that mileage is no
part of the pay of members of the
legislature and is personal expense
the same as house or room rent or
board for those who choose to re-
main at the capital during the ses-
sions. He suggests that if the peo-
ple of the State want to allow mile
age to the members that they amend
the constitution of the State.
The action of the Governor caused
considerable feeling among members
of the legislature and talk of re-
prisals was indulged in to consid-
cradle extent. Some declared that the
bill would be passed over the veto OF
the Governor but as the attorney
general had declared the payments
illegal this was regarded by many
as useless as the attorney general
could be called upon to start in
junction proceedings to declare the
bill passed unconstitutional and the
payments illegal.
The Senate on Friday afternoon
held an executive session lasting an
hour at which the action of the Gov
ernor was discussed. The members
absolutely refused to discuss what
transpired at the meeting but 1t is
known that Attorneys James +. Al
lee and Julian c. Walker, of the leg
islative legal force, gave opinions on
the matter.
The Senate and House met in ex-
ecutive session on Monday afternoon
at which time Attorney General Sat
terthwaite explained his views On
the mileage question. After the two
branches of the General Assembly
separated the Senate again went into
secret session.
On Tuesday morning the members
of the Senate met with Governor
Buck, who explained his stand. Later
in the day the Governor notified the
Senators that he will submit the
question to the Court En- Blanc for
2, decision.
The belief is gaining that the ac-
ton of the Governor on the mileage
question has opened up trouble for
the several State departments, some
of which it is claimed are allowed
mileage in the annual appropr1a-
tions.
1t is pointed out by some lawyers
that while the constitution does not
say anything concerning mileage 1t
does say that each branch of the leg
islature may pay its expenses by
resolutions. 1t is held that in this
way the legislature can pass the
mileage and other items without
sending them to the Governor. 1t is
pointed out that up until two or
three sessions ago bills were simply
paid by resolution and the Governor
was given no opportunity to veto
them.
Members Worried
What worries many is that the
action of the Governor not only ap-
plies to the mileage bill already
passed and vetoed, but is a warning
rConfinued on pa0e II