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should deviate from that, it may be wise
to do so.
— «
With that in mind, I would simply like
to review 'some of the things that we have
done that shows that we have approved of
constitutional majorities for several arti-
cles and sections, or for several sections.
In section 3.12, the legislative branch,
we approved constitutional majority in
order (to extend the session to the second
thirty days, and also to call a special ses-
sion. In the executive branch we have al-
ready approved the constitutional majority
for the return of vetoed bills, in 4.17. In
4.08 we approved the removal of the gov-
ernor and 4.09 for the succession of the
governor. In 4.18, for the organization of
the executive branch and 4.19 the reorgani-
zation of the executive branch. Those have
already been approved and they include
constitutional majorities.
To come up very soon from the general
provisions, General Provision 7 has an
amendment to the Constitution which re-
quires a constitutional majority. General
Provision 10, impeachment of elected offi-
cers, requires a constitutional majority.
State Finance Minority Report 4 (A) is
suggesting a constitutional majority for
state indebtedness, authorized state indebt-
edness, with the flexible twenty-five years
included.
THE CHAIRMAN: You have one-half
minute, Delegate Gill.
DELEGATE GILL: If we approve the
majority report for the simple majority,
the other legislation that will be faced by
the General Assembly, I think we have built
in very important protections for us. The
only exception I have is with regard to ex-
pelling members from the legislature, which
is included in 3.13. At the time I voted for
the simple majority I stated that I was for
a constitutional majority for expelling
members.
THE CHAIRMAN: Are you ready for
the question?
Delegate Fornos.
DELEGATE FORNOS: Mr. Chairman,
I want to speak against this, so if you get
another speaker to speak for it —
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Linton, do
you desire to speak for or against?
DELEGATE LINTON: Against.
THE CHAIRMAN: Does any delegate
desire to speak in favor?
Delegate Chabot.
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DELEGATE CHABOT: Very briefly,
Mr. Chairman. All of those speaking
against these amendments have been speak-
ing against Amendment No. 16, as Dele-
gate Gill pointed out so well at the end of
her remarks. Amendment No. 14 is differ-
ent. Amendment No. 14 would permit 13
members of the Senate to expel a member
of the Senate of this State. Amendment
No. 14 would permit 37 members of the
House of Delegates to expel a member of
the House of Delegates. Whatever you may
consider with regard to the appropriate
number for passing a bill in the normal
course of events, with the normal time re-
quirements, I suggest that you vote for
Amendment No. 14.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Fornos.
DELEGATE FORNOS: Mr. Chairman,
I was speaking against the majority report
and I thought Delegate Gill was, too, but
I guess we all got a little confused here.
THE CHAIRMAN: No, she is speaking
against the amendment. Do you desire to
speak in favor or against the amendment?
DELEGATE FORNOS: In favor of the
amendment and against the majority re-
port.
THE CHAIRMAN: Does anyone desire
to speak against the amendment?
Delegate Linton?
DELEGATE LINTON: No.
THE CHAIRMAN: Does anyone desire
to speak against the amendment?
Delegate Fornos.
DELEGATE FORNOS: Mr. Chairman,
fellow delegates, I seldom find myself
aligned with the distinguished former
President of the Senate, but when he is
right, being one of those in this body who
votes with an open mind, I have to side
with him.
I would like to recall a bill which was
sent down from the governor's office shortly
after he took office in the last session which
eliminated competitive bidding on all con-
tracts to be awarded by the state roads
commission below the sum of $10,000. The
effect of this bill was to give the state
roads commission the right to award con-
tracts throughout this State, up to $10,000,
to anyone they desired. After twelve hours
of debating this bill in this House it finally
passed by one vote. A man turned around
to me and said, I made a mistake on that
vote. I was with you and I just did not
realize the mistake I made, as our presi-
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