The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1895-03-05
THE NEW CONSTITUTIONS.


guided by its views, yet nevertheless
makes bold to say what it does not
want to see in the constition. In the
first place we, being democratic to the
boot heels, do not want to see any
provision in the fundamental law of
the new state inviting or encouraging
sumptuary legislation of any kind. In
the matter of prohibition it is not nee
essary 20 say that we have never been in
favor OF political prohibition, because we
were born a democrat, educated a
democrat, have always associated with
democrats, are a democrat from con-
Yiction and hope to die in full fellow
ship with the men who are striving to
live up to and act with those who's e
political faith is we'll and deeply lai d
upon the deathless principles taught by
that grand fria andof liberty, Jefferson
that well-nigh faultless friend of the
people-and we are of course opposed to
political prohibition, while we hate
drunkenness ard intemperance in all
their forms and aspects with a deadly
hatred. No true, well-informed or well
grounded democrat can favor sumptu-
ary lie gislation Of any kind or upon any
subject. Then, too, we fear if section
is Incorporated permitting prohibi-
tion law that the new constitution will
not be ratified by the intelligent peo-
pie of Utah who believe that they can
regulate and control by the assistance
of the church and their own sense of
right, any undue appetite they may
have at times for strong drink.
We would not see another undemo-
cratic doctrine recognized in that doc
ument, and that is the bounty section.
We would not see the legislature au-
thorized to pass law levying a
tax upon the poor and the rich, the la
borer, the widow aid the man in debt,
to help out badly projected public
enterprise which finds itself unable to
make buckle and tongue meet, for any
cause whatever. 1t is undemocratic TO
give this power to any body of men.
It fosters and gives aid and comfort to
monopolies, and the democratic party
founded by Jefferson is bitterly op-
posed to fostering or feeding monopo-
lies, manufacturing or any other fa-
vored class in the government. Let
those help start these enterprises who
will, but don't let us force anybody to
do it. That doctrine is pure democ-
Tacy, as much 80 as is prohibition,
A bounty provision is a sumptuary
provision and while this is true we do
not oppose 1t only on that ground, but
we fear if it is projected it will help to
defeat the adoption CT the new consti-
tuition and add that much more obiec-
tion to it. We want statehood and the
defeat of the constitution would also
prove the defeat of statehood.
There is another principle in contem-
platioa which we wish to state fairly,
truthfully and temperately. 1t is the
proposition to incorporate a provision
calling for equal suffrage. We do not
oppose this doctrine because we do
not think the ladies worthy of the
franchise. Far be it from us, but we do
oppose it for the reason that we think
the ladies too good, too pure and
TOO necessary at home to have
6he inclination, the time or the wish TO
enter the arena with men to struggle
for political mastery, or even political
equality. In her home or about her
womanly pursuits and following her
womanly inclinations, spirit of light |
is she, but when she sinks to mans |
level she is-well no better than man. |
rs she is now she is divinity which |
shapes our ends, rough hew them as
we may, then she would be of us and |
would Lose the benefcent power to |
guide which she now sways so forcibly |
and yet benignantly. We have an
other reason and that is, it is undem- |
ocrstic. Democracy teaches that there |
shall be no favored classes, no favored |
Individuals, but that all citizens shall |
share and share alike. Well, when |
wars dread alarm sounds, male citi-
Zens are forced to shoulder musket
and go to war, and there is no man
who would tolerate for a moment the
idea that female citizens must 90 to
BAT tie as the male citizen does. If
she didn't 60, she would be favored
md that would be undemocratic and
wrong. 1t is all folly to talk about
going so far as to influence the
vote at the polls. Over in Colorado
she had the franchise but an hour ere
she was in the arena struggling with
The men for offices, and she got some of
them too. If she makes it profitable,
holds Office and shares honors. she
must share risks, damages and hard
SHIPS as well. She can't do it. Man.
1ood will not permit it, and if she don't
she belongs to favored class of citi-
,enship and that is not democratic.
These are only few, very few of ,
ur objections, but are they not enough?
Then, too, as with the other objections
Ve have named, we fear that If this,sec- .
ion is adopted in the constitution it :
will increase tie danger of defeat and g
.lso help to make it impossible to ratifv !
he constitution and thus contribute
o the defeat of statehood.