The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-05-26
THE UTAH CONSTITUTION.

The most conspicuous feature of the
instrument is said to be its entire free
dom from splurge and the absence Of any
thing like an attempt at novel and or
iginal provisions. The only exception to
this is the substitution Of eight jurors for
twelve in civil cases, six of whom may
lender a verdict 1t is a matter-of-fact
and common-sense document, keeping
within the well-established lines of the
fundamental laws of the country. 1t dis
tributes the executive departments and
establishes the legislative and judicial
authorities and functions in exact con-
formity 10 American usage, and in all
the details of government follows closely
the well-worn rut of republicanism as
eXemplified in the constitutions of the
respective states of the union. In pre-
scribing the method of legislation, and in
defining the duties and limitations of the
governor and state officers and the jur-
isdiction of the courts, it adheres to the
principles and practice sanctioned by the
experience of more than a century of
practical operation under the American
model of government.
The particular provisions that will pro-
baby create and attract the greatest in
terest and attention are those in regard
to polygamy, education and the suffrage.
Article ", section l, provides that, 1.-The
rights of citizens of the state of Utah to
or abridged on account of sex. Both male
and female citizens of this state shall
enjoy equally all civil, political and re-
ligious rights and privileges" This pro-
vision is so clear and specific as to make
female suffrage one of the conditions of
statehood, and, unless the constitution Is
rejected, it will be a part of the funda-
mental law of the state. There may be
some honest difference Of opinion as to
the wisdom of this course, but there are
numerous reasons for this action on the
part Of Utah which do not exist else
where. The delegates in this convention
are to be particularly commended for not
having lowered the standard of the suf
frage in an attempt to attract emigrant
settlement and a rapid increase of pop
ulation. They prudently put the ballot in
the hands of only those who have quail
fed themselves by complying with all the
laws of the United States as to the con-
ditions and obligations of citizenship. This
is in marked contrast with the action of
other states which we could mention. An
other article permits the use of ma
chimes instead of ballots for registering
votes, but enjoins absolute secrecy in
voting.
The convention took manifest pains to
make itself clear upon the subject OF
polygamy, and in Article III removed
every possible loophole for its re-estab-
iShment under this constitution.
These strong and comprehensive pro-
visions against polygarny seem ito ade-
quately meet every requirement Of the
case. 1t is certain that polygamy is out
lawed by this new constitution, and that
that Infamous institution can find no
liberation among the people of Utah so
long as it shall be in force.
The constitution also provides that a
complete system OF common schools shall
be established and supported by the
state; that eight hours shall constitute
days work; that legislative sessions shall
be held bienially, and that the governor
and state officers shall be elected every
four years. With such a constitution the
people Of Utah should be able to carve
out creditable career as one of the
progressive and prosperous states Of this
Respondent union.
Success to the new state of Utah.-New
York Mail and Express.