The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-04-13
CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
A Synopsis of Hon. F. s. Rich
ards Lecture.
VARIOUS FORMS OF GOVERNMENT.
An Fxhortation to Careful Study of the
Principles of Government by the Young
People Of Utah.

Last Friday evening the main room of
the Social hall was well filled with an ap-
preciative ana attentive audience, it having
been announced that Hon. f. S. Richards
would deliver a lecture under the auspices
of the Students Society of the Latter-day
Saints college, on the subject of 'Civil
Government
The lecturer stated in the opening of his
remarks that on account of the compre-
hensive character of the subject it would
be lmpracticable to enter into detail, but he
would present only the most fundamental
parts of the system of the government now
in vogue in the United States.
All governments may be directly or in
directly classed under three heads.
monarchial, aristocratic and democratic, in
the first of which the power is vested in
king or queen Gin the case of the limited
monarchy in conjunction with the legisla-
tive body), while in the second the
sovereignty is held by select few of the
nobility. These two forms are open to the
objection that power is centralized the
common people having but little or no
hand in the government The third divi
sion, the democracy, entirely does away
with this objection, for in its pure form all
the people make the laws, and attend to
their execution.
On account of the inconvenience in large
communities, attending the assembling to-
gether OF the entire people, form of dem
ocracy known as the republic was insti-
tuted, that being the form of government
in the United States
Some claim that law and governments
are unnecessary, but so long as men are
imperfect there will be necessity for laws
to project the rights of the weak against
the encroachments of the strong. These
rights are varied, some belonging to all
men alike, while others, such as political
rights or privileges, are merely granted to
the Individual by the legislative power,
and are liable to be taken away again even
without process of law Civil and relig-
ious rights, on the other hand, are inherent
IN the individual, and can be removed only
by due process of law.
The pure democracy was in existence
among the Pilgrim Fathers during the
early part of their history, but with in
creaslng numbers they found this form of
government to be impracticable, and es-
tablished representative form In fact,
the origin of true conStitutionallib liberty can
be said to have been in this country, for
the early settlers here looked upon ali en-
croachments on their rights with con-
stantly increasing disfavor.
Inc form of control exercised by the
British government over the colonies was
compared with the control now held over
the territories by Congress, and the great
similarity between the two was pointed
out.
The speaker then proceeded to relate the
history of the United States government,
referring to the weakness of the original
confederation, and the consequentnecessity
OF stronger compact between the people
of the colonies. The constitution of the
United States, which is now the funda-
mental law of our government, was origin
ated by the colonies, and has stood the test
OF century, growing brighter as it is bet
ter understood.
This constitution met with much oppo-
sition at first, as the people were jealous of
centralized power, having seen evil effects
OF such IN the early part of their own his
tory, but it was at last ratified by the peo-
pie OF the states, and went into effect. This
instrument is the great bulwark erected be-
tween the majority and tae civil, religious
and political rights of the minority, and any
breach of its provisions should be viewed
with concern by the people
According to the principles of the consti-
tuition, the government of the United s tat S
is divided into three parts, the legislative,
consisting of Congress, the executive at
the head OF which is the President, and the
Judicial, the chief representative of which
is the supreme court. Each of these divi-
sions has its own peculiar partin the affairs
of government, and while one may act as a
check upon the other, it is impossible that
there should be any interference among
| these three branches. The first branch
makes the laws, the second executes them.
while the third may declare null and void
any law passed by Congress and approved
| by the President.
| The two branches of Congress- the Sen
| ate and the House of Representatives. are
| so arranged that the best interests of the
people may be conserved. Each state has
| two Senators, elected by it's legislature,
while the representatives are apportioned
to the states according to population. and
are elected by the people. Thus one will
act as check upon the other, and since
laws must pass both branches of Con
gress before they can go into effect,
unjust legislation is very effectually
| avoided. Certain prohibitions are laid
upon Congress, in order to prevent the
passage of such laws as would do mani
fest injustice to the people of the country.
| The election of the President was ex-
planned in detail, the singular fact being
shown that the people at large do not vote
for that officer, but for electors, who meet
for the purpose of electing the president.
In case final result is not reached by the
electors the appointment of the President
is left to the House of Representatives,
each state, however, having but one vote
The supreme court has been called the
''voice of the constitution since that in
strument is interpreted entirely by that
body. But in some cases this body has re
versed its decisions, and as the personnel
of the court changes there is canged of its
opinions changing.
The speaker stated that the foundation of
all legislation rests on the divine law as
given to Moses, the concession having often
deem made, thai legislation at variance
with divine law cannot stand.
The lecture was brought to close with
an eXhortatiOn to a careful study of the
principles of government on the part of
those who will take an active part in il in
the near future.
| I prescribe Simmons Liver Regulator,
and it deserves all the praise it receives
DIR. d. w. Atkinson, Sloan Springs, Ark.
PLATT'S HARNESS SHOP
Now occupies Nos. AT and 149 State road.
half block south of the city hall.
OHrMY CORNS!
DR.. Barker, chiropodist and magnetic
healer, has removed to Sc S. West TEMPLES