1874.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 909

limited by the amount of capital which the corporation could
obtain.

If its managers could secure sufficient means, they could
buy up all the lands in the State and hold them in perpetuity,
or at least create a powerful monopoly, which would be
"odious, contrary to the spirit of free government and the
principles of commerce, and ought not to be suffered." (Bill
of Eights, Article 41.) And this monopoly would be enti-
tled to "generally enjoy all such privileges and immunities,
and exercise and have all such powers, rights and privileges
as may be necessary and useful in reference to the object of
their (its) incorporation," which is by said charter stated to
be "the protection of the property of the citizens of Hagers-
town from destruction by fire," although said charter does
not, in return for the extraordinary and dangerous powers
granted to said proposed corporation, require it to own a fire-
engine or hos-ecarriage, or do any act for the accomplish-
ment of that object.

This alone ought, I would respectfully suggest, to be suffi-
cient to cause you to withdraw your approval of the bill.—
But in addition to all this, the bill proposes to incorporate a
"Hose Company," which is one of the kinds of Companies
specified in section 14, of the Act of 1868, chapter 471, as
proper to be incorporated under the provisions of that Gen-
eral Law. Such being the case, if a Hose Company or Com-
panies, of the same general character, be incorporated by
special Act of the Legislature, Article 3, section 48, of the
Constitution declares such special Act to be void. I there-
fore return the bill without my approval.

JAMES BLACK GROOME.
Which was read.

The question then recurring (under the provisions of the
Constitution, Article 2, section 17,) upon the reconsideration
of the vote by which said bill had been passed,

The rote was reconsidered.

The question then recurring upon the passage of the bill,

The question being,

"Shall this bill pass, the objections of the Governor to the
contrary, notwithstanding ?"

The yeas and nays were called, (as required by Article 2,
section 17, of the Constitution,) and appeared as follows :

AFFIRMATIVE—None.