The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1895-03-07
JOHN HENRY SMITH, THE PILOT.

The Third precinct men haye been
admitted and one of them has been
elected the president of the constitu
tional convention. Il is true that this
result was expected, has been ex-
pected for several weeks, in fact, but
we fail to see just how it comes about
that mar is selected as president of a
body before the question Of his right
to a seat in it has been determined.
However that may be, yet he is there
and presiding, all right. Facts are
stubborn things and we are dealing
with facts now. Just how much this
selection will affect the constitution
now being incubated remains to be
seen. In recalling The utterances of
Mr.. Smith during the campaign and
considering how much power his posi-
tiOn gives him to urge his sumptuary
views, we are not sangulne that his
seating and election will add to the
chances of the new constitution when
it comes before the people for rati6ca-
ton. The fact is we fear this circum.
stance viii prove the big nail II the
coffin lid of that document. This is a
promise, and we think sure one, that
the constitution to be framed will be
better suited for Maine or Massachus.
setts than for live, progressive and
go-ahead western state. We may pos
sibly be mistaken in this judgment of
the significance Of the action of the
convention in electing John Henry
Smith. II we are, none will record the
mistake with more joy than we. In
deed we sincerely hope that we have
totally misread this man but still we
1 r that we have him "down fine."
Il we have liberal and enlightened
{ stitution we have every right to
e1pect large increase Of population
the next few years. The eyes of
.- wolld have been on Utah for manv
years. and many monied and intelli-
GER ne. purpose to seek homes here
jHs- ,o-c as the state was organized.
b1 il We give them faDatical. 2
nssrou ard liberal constitution thew
wiIlnGs c. AS. The rate of taxation
will oe high for few years, let us do
what Nc .aaY, but if we go to taxing
the people TO upbuild sugar mills or
other manufacturing enterprises. in
telligeuS men will not bring their
money here and build homes for them
selves. Mr.. Smith is so strongly com
mitted TO this principle that we must
rake his election as Yoicing the senti-
ments OF the majority OF the conven-
lon on this point, If this is correct.
and how can it be otherwise. we NAV
at once commence preparations as
TO how to meet the situation, II we
get the instrument which this circum-
stance indicates we may as well give up
all hopes of statehood because the peo-
pie Of Utah cannot contemplate such
policy, in the face Of the increased tax
alton naturally incident to the entrance
OF new state into the union.
This election indicates another
thing. There will be no compromise.
no corporation of the two parties for
the good of the state. The good feel
ing and good understanding which
should prevail in this body
are hopeless. Mr.. Smith is
a very bitter and uncompromising par
tisan and this election indicates that
the majority ia OF that school of par
tisanship. This leaves the conserYa-
tives in the body and abroad in the |
state no hope. It is war, and that war
is to the bitter hilt. 1t is pity,
very great pity that things have turned |
out in the way they have. But we |
are dealing with condition and the
condition stares US broadly in the
face. There is nothing left for the
democratic members of the convention
but to endeavor 10 secure as conser-
vative document as is possible under
the circumstances, to the end that the
minimum ofevil may be inflicted if by
ally chance the constitution may win
5he ratification Of the people.