State ex rel. Dawson v. Sessions

Citations

• 84 Kan. 856
• 115 P. 641
• 1911 Kan. LEXIS 430

Syllabus

<p>SYLLABUS BY THE COURT.</p> <p>1. Constitution — Rules for Interpreting. A constitution must be interpreted liberally to carry into effect the principles of government which it embodies. It deals broadly with general subjects, and its language should not be interpreted in any narrow,. refined or subtle sense, but should be held to m.ean what the words imply to the common understanding of men.</p> <p>2. - Veto — Time within which It May Be Exercised. The words “if any bill shall not be returned within three days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to the governor” contained in section 14 of article 2 of the constitution, relating to thé veto power, would indicate to persons of common understanding that the governor should have three full working days to consider and act upon a bill.</p> <p>3. Time — Computation. The general rule (where the rule of the code does not apply) to include the day on which an act is done in computing time from or after an act or event, is not inflexible. When not expressly declared to be inclusive or exclusive the words “after,” “from,” “subsequent,” and the ■like, are susceptible of different significations, and are used in different senses, having an inclusive or exclusive meaning according to the subject matter, context, and the purpose to be accomplished.</p> <p>4. Governor — Time for Action on Bills — Three Bays Excluding-Bay of Presentation. Considering the policy of the constitution with respect to the enactment of laws and the probable understanding of the language in question by the people in adopting it, it is held that the three days limited for the action of the governor upon bills should be computed by excluding the day on which they are presented to him.</p> <p>5. Laws — When Complete. A law is not complete until it has been finally acted upon by the two houses of the legislature and by the governor, although the action of the latter may be only negative, as when he permits a bill to become a law by failing