THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 2143

In the administration of public affairs and public agencies
experience has shown that certain orderly procedures must be
observed. Though they may at times prove troublesome, the
removal of all restrictions in the handling of public funds leads
to possible dangers that are worse. Even private business of
any magnitude cannot afford to operate according to the will
of any single individual. The character of the checks and
balances should, of course, vary according to the nature of the
task to be performed, but appropriate checks and balances of
some kind are unavoidable. The Constitution of the United
States and the fundamental laws of the State reflect the de-
termination of the American people to maintain such a system.

I am fully conscious that there is room for the opinion that
in certain respects the management of a university requires a
freedom of action that might not be appropriate for other
activities of the State. If the reasons for changing the law in
this respect are fully presented, I would be disposed to give
them due consideration; but what is before me is a proposal to
establish a government within a government, and that operated
in its most fundamental aspects by one man. As I cannot re-
write the provisions of the Bill, but must accept or reject it
in its present terms, I am constrained to veto House Bill 681.

By this action an interval will be provided for members of
the Legislature to study soberly and without a sense of urgency
issues which the bill raises of fundamental importance to the
administration of the State government and the cause of good
education.

May 7, 1951

Hon. John C. Luber
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

House Bill No. 701 purports to amend the charter of the
Corporation known as "The Trustees of the Endowment Fund
of the University of Maryland" to provide that the members
of the Corporation shall be the Regents of the University of
Maryland and all the rights, powers, duties and functions now
conferred by the Charter upon the trustees shall be transferred
to the Regents of the University of Maryland.

"The Trustees of the Endowment Fund of the University of
Maryland" was incorporated by Chapter 529 of the Acts of 1904
of the General Assembly of Maryland in 1904 as amended by
Chapter 435 of the Acts of 1929. On April 9, 1946, the Corpora-
tion was chartered under the General Corporation Law and