The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-09
gHE SALT LAKE HERAID THURSDAY. JANUART 3

9, 1895.
be appointive and non-partisan. and
recommend the passage of law max
ing such provision.
Presidential Electors
Before another legislature shall have
assembled, an election for president
and vice president of the United
States viii occur. Provision should,
therefore, be made as prescribed by
United States statute for canvassing
the vote. declaring the result, etc.
Fees.
The constitution provides that Off
GERS within the state shall receive
fixed and definite salaries, and that the
fees which may be provided for by
law, except for notaries public, boards
of arbitration, court commissioners,
Justices of the peace, and c0nsbabies.
shall be covered into the proper treas
ury. The importance of this subject
cannot be over-estimated. commend
to your attention the necessity OF leg
islatiOn providing for moderate ices
that will not Cypress the people, ard
requiring officers TO keep a true and
correct account of all fees collected Dy
treasury at proper intervals.
Fish and Game.
It is Of the utmost Importance that
our fish and game should be hedged
about with all the protection that just
laws can afford. Already our laws on
the subject are fairly good, if prop
el1y enforced; gross violations of them
are. however. matters of public noto-
riety. The citizens should unite to
condemn such violations and furnish
information to the proper officers
whenever infractions of the law come
under their notice. 1 recommend that
the present law be amended, to pre-
vent the expectation Of fish and game
outside the state.
Banking Law.
All banks chartered under the state
ought to be under such wise restrie-
tions and supervision as will make alb
solutely safe all funds entrusted to
their care.
The National Guard.
The report of the adjutant general
shows that the National Guard OF
Utah consists of sixteen companies OIL
infantry, three troops of cavalry, two
batteries of light artillery and Sig
nal corps. The strength of the entire
force, as compiled from latest reports.
is 1,012, namely: General field and
staff, 81; infantry, 720; cavalry, 1873; ar
tillery, 104; signal corps. %. The guard
has been well equipped by the
government under United States
statutes, with guns, ammuntion,
ordnance, uniforms and other
essentials, excepting oVercoa Us
and blankets; these, it is believed, the
government may be induced to supply
at an early date.
The war department has detailed
First Lieutenant William A. Lassiter
of the Sixteenth infantry for duty in
connection with the Utah militia. Lieu
tenant Lassfter reported for duty to
Governor West on April s, 1894, and
has been active and efficient In MS IN
structions to the state forces. The ap-
pointment is made in conformity to the
United States statutes. The general
government takes sufficient interest in
the national guard to supply the state
with regular army officer without
expense for salary or equipment. His
duty requires that under authority
from the governor he shall visit each
organization of the militia at its nome
station once a year, and to Senerally
gather information and transmit 10 the
war department such of 1t as would
likely be of service to that branch OF
I
assistance, IN his line of duty, that
may be required by the governor or the
adjutant general. Following the prece-
! dent of other states, small aPpro-
priation covering the actual travelling
expenses of this officer while on mill
tary duty for the guard, ought 10 De
made.
The National Guard Of Utah is COM
posed of young, energetic men, lmbued
[ 4aI nd
who have contributed much time and
labor to the perfection of the organtza-
tfon against many dishearteninS OBJ
| etacIes. While a due regard for the
financial interests of the state will not
allow excessive appropriations Tor any
purpose. not imperatively demanded,
/ trust that the legislature VIII treat
/ this important adjunct to the execu-
! five mower of the state with hberality
and consideration. To this end I rec
| onmend favorable action upon the
suggestions of the adjutant general, as
| to the necessary appropriations for the
ensuing year.
Fire and Police Commissions.
Two years ago the fire and police de-
nartnents of all cities of 1900 inhabi-
1 tanfs we're placed under the manage
/ rnent and control of a non-partlsan
board of four citizens in each CITY
appointed half by the mayor and half
! nv fine civ council. The object of the
| change from ordinary conditions con-
| trolling departments of this character
was evidently to increase the EMERGENCY
I of the departments, as 1t IS an accept
ed fact, that the highest results can
not be attained where the positions OF
officers and men are dependent upon
the caprice of politics and where
| change of administration, Whlrl OF
the political wheel may mean the re-
moval of police and f1remen, of ac-
knowledged worth and practical ex-
perience. While it's operation has not
| proven entirely satisfactory in the
cities Of Salt Lake and Ogden, 1 am
convinced that the law is step for
ward in municipal government, and
that with certain amendments, which
the respective boards ought to be able
to suggest, should be retained.
Revision of the Laws.
A pressing need is a revision of the
statutes. A compilation only repeats
the obsolete and incongrous pro-
visions existing, and leaves it to the
people as we'll as the lawyers to trace
a law through a number of amend
ments, not easily construed, and adds
much to the length of the laws. II
would, perhaps. take a year to get &
revision completed and reported. and
the commencement of statehood is {
favorable time to commence the work
I recommend the appointment of g
J competent committee to perform this
work and report to the next legisla
ture.
Constitutional Convention Def
cheney