section 21, the Company was allowed two years to commence
and ten to complete the "Metropolitan" road; but under
section 22, was declared " null and void in the event that the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company obtained a charter to
construct and complete said road within a time less than
prescribed in this Act, and do proceed in accordance with
"such charter to construct and complete the same."

Thereupon the Baltimore and Ohio did obtain a charter
under which they agreed to commence the road "within one
year, and complete it within five years from the passage of
the Act." There was no possible reason why the road should
not have been completed within the five years. But the
other Company being estopped, the Baltimore and Ohio now
asks an extension of three years, making their limit of time
eight years for the construction of a road free. of taxation
against the ten years granted the Metropolitan Company, sub-
ject to State and County taxation, and with their line of road
running probably twice as far through the State.

If any more ''partial legislation" than this could have
been contemplated by the tamers of the Constitution when
they authorized the exercise of the veto power, I can hardly
conjecture what it could be.

I would gladly aid in the construction of all railroads in
Maryland, provided they are not made favored interests the
detriment and injustice of others. And if it shall be the
pleasure of the General Assembly to add an additional sec-
tion to this bill providing for an assessment and payment of
taxes to the State and counties through which the road runs,
I will sign it with as much pleasure as I have done any bill
passed this session.

This was what I intended to have said to the Senate when
I returned the bill without my approval. As stated the bill,
although hurried through the Legislature with unprece-
dented haste ten days before, was only handed to me on
Saturday afternoon, and the charter expired to day, (Mon-
day.)

Still as the serious objection to the bill was that it confer-
red valuable franchises, exempt from taxation, and "partial
legislation," which the bill, if it had failed to pass over the
Executive veto, could have been amended to provide against,
if the Senate had been in session this morning, before the ex-
piration of the charter, I prepared the veto yesterday, (Sun-
day,) to be sent in early this morning, hoping the General
Assembly would concur in the views therein expressed, and
subject the capital of the Company to taxation.

The Senate not having been in session this morning, be-
cause of the absence of a quorum, and only sixteen Senators
having answered to their names at roll call to-night, one
Senator less than two-thirds required for a suspension of the