HERBERT R. O'CONOR, GOVERNOR. 1999

and to deprive the State Eoads Commission of the right of
selection of this official.

The State Eoads Commission has filed a memorandum with
me concerning this measure which reads as follows:

"This Bill provides for a County Engineer for Somer-
set County to maintain the County roads and to be
appointed by the County Commissioners.

"There is no other County in the State where the State
maintains the County roads where the County Commis-
sioners appoint the Engineer in charge of the mainte-
nance of County roads. Since the State of Maryland
is maintaining the roads in Somerset County the present
law gives the State Eoads Commission the right to
appoint the County Engineer, and we do not feel that
the County Commissioners should be permitted to name
a man whose qualifications might not be such that the
Commission would approve. We feel that inasmuch as
the State Eoads Commission is responsible for the
proper maintenance of the County roads that the man
in charge of this maintenance should be under the direc-
tion and responsible to the State Eoads Commission
and not to the County Commissioners.

"We would, therefore, recommend that this Bill be
vetoed."

In view of the reasons stated by the State Eoads Commission,
and inasmuch as the State is responsible for the proper main-
tenance of these roads and for the prudent expenditure of the
County Eoad Funds, I feel compelled to veto this measure.

SPECIAL ACTS.

Chapter 598 (House Bill 636). Chapter 463 (House Bill
535). The Attorney-General holds these Bills to be invalid!
because they are special acts undertaking to grant financial
allowances.

The Police Commissioner of Baltimore City also urges the
veto of one of the two Bills (House Bill No. 636) which directs
the Commissioner to pay a pension to a widow of a former
member of the Police Department (Lt Martin J. Mannion).
The Commissioner declares that the death of the officer in
question was due to natural causes.

In connection with the second of the two Bills (House Bill
No. 535), the Attorney-General states further that the sources
of the allowance sought to be granted are funds collected by
the Sheriff which are due and owing to the State.

In view of the aforegoing facts, I am vetoing the measures.