The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1895-05-09
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE.

To the People OF Utah;-The convention
assembled to frame Constitution Tor the
proposed state Of Utah. after two months
of earnest effort. present the result OF
their labors for the consideration OF the
people OF this Territory.
The ruling thought that actuated the
convention from opening to close was
that. under the direction and mandates
of the enabling act. Constitution must
be framed that would secure to the PEG
ple of Utah a wise, just and economical
state government
In this we believe we have succeeded
and we confidently submit TO our fellow
citizens the fruit of our usi'DeIa AZ ~
knowing that they VIII bear IN nlnu me
impossiblity OF our presenting any IN
strument that would not contain lmper-
fectlons, inasmuch as the more man one
hundred elegates who constructed II came
together understanding little OF eacn
other, all more or less influenced Dy local
ideas, and by impressions when the P e
past could not help but create ana inten-
sify Nevertheless 1t has been gratltylns
TO note that there has probably been less
nartisan feeling and more unselnsh unan-
unity of sentiment In this convention man
in any other political body OF IKE char-
acter. a., ,,..,a..,t,,,
Of Rights came from the great parent
bill OF rights framed by the fathers oil
our country. ,,,.,..,.,.,
svstem has absorbed the best thoughts
and efforts OF the convention, ana draws
around the public schools such protection
a. ana h. dsIense the steady upward proers;s
,ynich is the enthusiastic desire Oh TINS
people. - ..,.,a ,,,hua permitting
r,,tnre iaw-makers to perform any needed
ming clrcumscrlbes their powers IN
way 10 prevent either extraVasahce OF III"
- laniaIatiVp authority.
the Executive article defines clearly
the prerogatives and powers OF the sew
eral state officers. places os ,b a' Exeentive.
ana nj the same time supplies all needed
checks to prevent usurpation OF power,
The judiciary Of af the courts effectively
NV competent Judges. 1t seeks to exalt
the Judiciary. and yet brings the system
p wltnlln a money o The Probate system has
been abolished, but power Is given the
Legislature to restore II, II deemed heSes.
sary or to adopt any other plan that
NAV be wise or eNpedient. 80
The saiarles OF all officials have been
marked down close to the danger line Oh
extravarant economy.
We have provided 10 give equal suffrage
We have inhibited for all time polyga-
NOUS or plural marriages.
We have placed within sate limits the
maximum OF future taxation.
we have guarded against the possibility
of any future great Indebtedness OF the
We have provided for the full develop
ment of our manifold Industries, IN sucn
a way that in their expansion they VIII
not feel any harsh friction from unjust
We have provided for the correction OF
nossible defects in the Constitution, either
by amendments or by the enactment OF
We nave guaranteed perfect liberty of
speech, freedom to the press ana absolute
freedom OF conscience.
we recommend our work to the gracious
and generous consideration OF the men
and women OF Utah, believing they viii
esteem IL a fitting foundation on which
TO rear the structure OF glorihed STATE.
II with Statehood there will be q slight
Increase In taxes, the compensatlng ad'
yantages will cause that Increased eN-
pense to be forgotten. we VIII be able
10 utilize the magnificent grit or over
seven million acres OF land from our gen
.rous Government: we will be able to Sc
cure capital for our mines; under the
qhield OF Statehood, thousands OF people
will seek homes in our climate, assist &c
develop our wondrous and varied re-
sources and rejoice I'm the manifold bless
ngs bestowed by nature upon our mighty
favored commonwealth.
When we reflect that this instrument
will secure to us in its highert sense loca
self-government, with State officers OF
wi witt capable and economical admins
tratlon Of the laws by Judges OF the PEG
Dle's choosing; that II VIII give US 9
school system abreast of the foremost u
the Union, with power to utilize the lands
donated to our educational institutions
give us n voice In the election OF Presi
dent also two Senators and one Repre
sentative TO present the claims OF oul
new State In the Congress of the Nation
add the star of Utah to the hallowed en-
sign of the Republic; bestow upon us full
sovereIgnty with all that this majesti,
term Implies and thus draw to us capita
and population, and invest us with dig
nlty that can never attach to Terri
torial tion, with steadily swelling
confidence we submit this Constitution Z
the consideration of the people OF Utah
in the certain belief that they VIII, by ~
overwhelming majority, endorse and rati
" our work.