The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-03-10
THE REFORM SCHOOL VETO.

1t is to be regretted that GoYerno
West could not find it in his heart
forget the ''organic difference" as Gov
ernor Murray used to say, between him
self and the Legislative Assembly long
enough TO approve the reform school
bill. Humanity should have suggested
that to him. for years the need for
such an institution has been apparent
to every body, and never more SO than
at the present time. If the Territory
had q welI-ordained reformatory, many
boys and young men just starring in
lite might be rescued from lives OF sin
and crime upon which they are enter
ing. Thrown into prison for their first
and perhaps petty offenses, and
made the companions OF thieves
ROBBERS and hardened criminals gener-
ally, surrounded by the vilest OF inhu-
ences, they will be strong of mind If
they do not come out real criminals at
heart instead of petty offenders who
might easily have been led Alright. The
instances of this kind which have oc-
Cured within the past year had their
influence on the Legislature and in
duced it to make liberal provision for
the rescue of erring youth; and they
should have induced His Exceiiency to
| fall into line, even st the expense OF q
petty sentiment.
If there were aEy great principle in
voIved IN the matter of asserted pre-
rogative, the stubbornness of the Exec
utiVe might be commended; but there is
none. Itc3n be of little if any concern
to the Governor. who hold certain
offices and perform certain public
duties What difference is it to Gov
eruor West, or will It be to his successor
of next month or next year, whether
John Smith or John Brown shall be
director of q Reform School, so
long as the school shall be
honestly, inteIligentiy and properly
managed? None whatever. On the part
of the Governor, his objection is based
on the iimsiest kind of sentiment,
absolutely devoid of merit. On the
part of the people it makes vast diff
ference, whether trusted represent
atiyes in whom they have confidence,
or men who are appointed
solely because of the Governors per
sonal admiration for them administer
the affairs of the offices.
But whether or not the Legls-
lature is right in its position, the
community ought not to be made to
suffer. There is q way to adjust and
determine the dispute without lmpos-
ing hardship, suffering and loss upon
the public. The courts are open for
the adjustment of just such disputes,
aud they have been so open all thess
years that the quarrel has been going
on. Why do not the Governor and his
supporters go into the tribunals con-
stltuted for the purpose, and learn if
the Legislature is wrong and they are
right? Why do they not take this
course instead of imposing upon the
community, as in the present instance,
and depriving the public of an institute n
which peace. good order, the general
welfare, and common humanity all de-
mand should be established and main
| tained2
Two years more the Territory must
do without a reform school. How
many lives will be wrecked during
those two years, how many lads will
set out on careers of crime, nobody can
say; but in denying the people the
privilege of spending their own money
for the necessary institution, Governor
West shoulders very grave RESPONSE
bility.