Chap. 40.—An ACT to provide for defending certain suits, involving the validity
of the Constitution, or Article I]. thereof, brought against members of the
consditutional convention, the governor, and other officers.

Approved December 20, 1902.

Whereas, certain suits have been instituted, and others are being threat-
ene] ta be instituted, against the governor of the State, members of the
constitutional convention which met in Richmond on June twelfth, nine-
32 ACTS OF ASSEMBLY.

teen hundred and one, and against certain State, county, or municipal
officers ; and, ‘

Whereas, said suits are in fact proceedings against the State, in which
the validity of the Constitution of the State, or of article two thereof, is
being attacked ; now, therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the attorney-
general of Virginia be, and is hereby, directed to defend, or to cause to be
defended, the interests of the State and of all such members of said con-
vention, and of such officers, in all such litigation, whether now pending
or which may hereafter be instituted. ‘The attorney-general is hereby
authorized to employ one or more persons as counsel to assist him or to
appear for said defendants in said suits.

To carry out the provisions of this act, there is hereby appropriated the
sum of five thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary.
The compensation of any counsel so employed shall be approved by the
governor, and the auditor of public accounts shall draw his warrants
upon the treasurer for the amounts payable to counsel emploved under
this act, and for the necessary legal costs and expenses incurred in defend-
ing said suits, upon accounts approved by the attorney-general.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.

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