The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-05-01
ANOTHER REPORT.

The Utah Commission has presen
ted another report Of its doings t
the Secretary of the Interior, AM
the wires bring a few lines regard
ing the nature Of the document. a
usual the telegraph fails to state in
telligibly and fully the character Q.
the paper, leaving much to th'
imagination. It does state, how
ever, that the Commission has beer
INDUCING in more recommends
lions for Congressional legislation
among the suggestions presented
being the restoration OF the right Of
dover in this Territory, special
fund in the Department Of Justice
for the enforcement Of the prOvi-
sions of the Edmunds act; that
United States commissioners be
given civil and criminal jurisdiction
equal to that enjoyed by justices OF
the peace, and that certain Terri
torial and county officers now elect.
i've be appointed by the Governor or
district judges. Just what reason
CT excuse the Commission can offer
for most of these suggestions and
recommendations is not stated, nor
is it clear to the ordinary mind.
Perhaps the most important and
certainly the most vicious of these
is the one in reference to the ap-
pointment to Offices now elective.
We do not know to which Offices
they would. apply the order,I
but presume it must refer
to these officers who have to
do with the public funds, fer
the Commission could not possibly
have any interest in the doipgs of
fencs.vieWers, Watermasters and
pound-keepers.
It would be interesting and doubt
less amusing. if not strikingly in
structive if the Commissioners
would make a public and official
statement of what they regard as
their official duties and powers I'M
der the authority of the Edmunds
act. People who read the law think
the duties of the Commission are
declared and defined in section
of the act, and consist
of "each and every duty relating to
the registration Of voters, the cons
duct Of elections, the receiving or
rejection Of votes, and the canvass
ing and returning of the same, and
the issuing of certificates or other
evidence of election" IF the dis
gentlemen comprising
the board rightfully enjoy any other
functions, or havel any other duties
imposed upon them than those
stated above, the fact does not ap-
pear in any authorized manner. We
are aware that they have assumed
powers not conferred by law. For
instance, they have assumed both
and judicial functions,
and have exercised both.
And now they assume to
Jay what should be law, the pre>
sumption being that they haven't
the impudence to legislate in this
Ease as in others.
But why should they recommend Il
hat the people be deprived Of more i
If their rights? Why should they !
Isk that citizens against whom {
Illegal Or wrong can be 6
harged be placed under disabilities ? G
20 ask that elective tfiees be made I
Is to request the dis I
ranchi% nent of duly qualified votA t
rs, and to deprive citizens 8
f all semblsnce of self a
government. The Commission must /
lave q motive in this extraordinary c
recommendation, and that the mo- O
i've can be honest and honorable we r
,annot understand. Perhaps the re- :
ort will supply the Explanation
hat the wires failed to bring. The n
plnion of the Utah Commission is +
ot of the most exalted character: d
is fesred this report will not tend 9
0 elevate the gentlemen in the re- r
pect and confidence Of good citizens. =
THE nTLUCAN NAcu