Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-04-11
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVEN-
TION.


composing that body, while some
members Of the convention would not at
tend at all. The meeting of this same
famous and profound convention with its
regular business of adjourning until
next October, or until next April,
according to the season of the
year, has become a regular business
So regular has become the business of
the convention that it is the very exem-
plifcation of the civil service reform
theory-ftness for the Office and perma-
nency therein during good behavior
Could behavior be more princely than
has been that of the convention? And
where was ever seen such good order as
is here in meeting semi-annually, when,
so soon as the chairman has taken his
seat and the clerk has called the role,
some founder of State arises, and with a
mien and air that would lend grace and
dignity to the "herald Mercury, new
lighted on heaven-kissing hill," PAGES
the floor, and in deep toned, majestic
voice, amid silence and profound atten-
ton, begins to expound the constitution
which they are going to give to the world,
and says: "Sages and citizens, founders
of the common wealth and guardians of
our liberty. Well we know the grave
responsibilities resting upon us, and that
I
they have been placed upon us because
of our fitness to serve a free people in
this great task of promulgating a consti-
tuition, in whose broad and
liberal limits, all who long for
liberty and fight for freedom
may find a refuge and a home
1t becomes not me to tell such as you the
importance of a proper and just consider
alton of the constitution we are here
forming. The nations of antiquity who
stand as lights to guide us had no written
constitutions, but merely traditions which
they followed. 1t may safely be said that
many centuries will pass by ere another
such an instrument as this one we are
now preparing will be seen. Gentlemen,
it is useless for me to longer
dwell on this familiar theme, and
that we may do honor to ourselves
and justice to those who have sent us
here and whose rights this constitution
shall define and defend, now move you
in the name of this same people whose
freedom you have guaranteed; l move
you in the name of the rights of that
humanity of which we have SO much; 1
move you in the name of all that is
sacred and dear to the hearts of such free
and noble men as we are, that we ad-
journ until next conference"
This is the story of their labors, and
prompts one to say that while men may
come and men may go, the convention
will go on forever and forever, even I'M
til the wicked shall cease from troubling
and the weary are at rest. Has any
thing else been done than this during
the many sessions which have been
held?
The document which was drawn up by
this convention never contained single |
in regard to the one i'm
portant question in Utah-the ques- |
ton of the continuation or the |
of the practice of |
polygamy, when every member knew
that on this single issue between the peo-
pie of Utah and the government of the
United States depended the success or
the failure of their efforts in the direction
Of statehood. The question of submitting
to the people this proposition: "Shall the
Constitution of the State of Utah contain
a clause guaranteeing to the people the
right to have the polygamic system of
or shall it contain a clause de-
nying any such right and pledging the
Rage" was made but it was almost unan-
mously voted down; and those who had
avored submitting it to the people, al
hough they did not express any opinion
on the matter themselves, were looked
lown upon as though they had plotted
reason against sovereign State. Were
he people who sought for statehood and
place in the Union, unfit to pass upon
uch questions, and yet were competent
0 assume the reins of government? e?
We're those who refused to submit
0 them this proposition afraid that
heir brief power and seeming
ignifcance would be taken from them?
hat was the general impression among
1any even of the Peoples Party; and if
yer the people of Utah put themselves
n record regarding this same question of
olygamy, the chances are that they will
eclare against it. If not, why not sub
ut the proposition to them? Is there a
ar lest they might honestly say, we
ont give it up? If they did say so,
lings would remain as they are, and we
lould be no worse, no better off.
The instrument at very best was but
ediocre, and showed that the majority
those who were engaged in framing it
I'd but small idea of its Importance and I
hat should be and what should not be
such an instrument. They seemed not
recognize that it was to be the founda-
On of State, but thought it was to be
e platform of a party. So incompetent
competent, we know not which. are
ey for their task, that the convention
Is been in existence long after the con- "
ming of the Legislature which met next r
tar fha III xroc mo do Co. %