The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-15
EVANS BILL VETOED.
Utah Governor Thinks 1t Would
Not Have Desired Effect.

Salt Lake, Utah. March 15.-GOvernor
Wells has vetoed the Evans bill, relat-
ing to the making of complaints and
commencing of prosecutions in criminal
cases. The following is the full text
of the veto message sent to the-senate:
ITO the Senate have the honor to
return herewith without approval SEN
ate bill NO. 113, An act amending Sec
ton 4611 Of the revised statutes of
Utah. 1893 in relation to the making OF
complaints and commencing Of prOsecu-
tons in criminal cases.
mo official act of my life has been
approached by me with q sense OF re-
sponsibility so profound as is involved
in the consideration of this bill. It IS
a measure of the supremest Importance,
and in its consequences for good or III
it easily surpasses any other proposition
wealth for legislative and executive ac-
ton. 1t has been argued in both
branches of the assembly with splendid
force and ability, while its provisions
doubtless have been eagerly discussed
in the remOteSt hamlet OF our state.
With due allowance for the exaggera-
lions that may be expected from those
who warmly support and from those
who with equal warmth antagonize the
measure accord to all of them, with
out any reservation whatever, full
credit for absolute sincerity, breadth of
sympathy and a desire for the public
a noteworthy and unique piece OF pro-
posed legislation.
but these conditions only serve to
make the responsibility Of the executive
more weighty, and could have wished
to be spared the test Nevertheless, the
recollection Of my oath of Office. the re-
Quirements Of my duty as / understand
it, and the conviction of my own best
judgment and my conscience unite in de-
rnanding of me that I withhold approval
from this bill If I know myself, can
sincerely say that am anxious that
the very best and wisest thing should
be done in respect to all matters that
have vexed US so much in times past
And knowing this whole people as I do,
it is my firm conviction that whatever
the present feeling may be, they viii be
sincerely grateful in the days to come
if this measure is not written upon the
statute books.
THE patience, loyalty and conserva-
tism Of our citizens are so widely recOg-
nized that only by the passage of such
a bill as this can their reputation be in
jured The broad-minded and intelligent
everywhere accept the situation here as
it exists and are content to let time
complete the solution of the problem
Even the meGdleSome have to admit that
with rare exceptions the conduct and in
tegrity of the people are above re-
preach.
I'm my opinion nothing can be clearer
than that this bill, if passed would be
welcomed and employed as a most effec-
tive weapon against the very classes
whose condition It is intended to anchor
ate Furthermore. I have reason to- be-
lieve it's enactment would be the signal
for a general demand upon the national
congress for a constitutional amend
ment directed against certain social con-
ditions here, a demand, which under the
present circumstances would surely be
complied with While it may be urged
that in every event the poor could be /
made to surfer. is it not an OdiOus thought /
repulsive to every good citizen Of what /
soever creed or party, that the whole /
state should thus be put under a ban2 |
Surely there is none so selfish and I'M /
patriotic as to argue that this is pre-
ferable to the endurance Of a few iso- /
ed as they are, by either respectable I
moral support or sympathy. AL of Us
can readily recall the conditions of the i
past as compared with those Of today. I
In the shortest memory still remain in +
cidents of that distressing period short I
ly before. statehood during which so /
much sorrow and bitterness Stalked +
through our community. OF still more I
recent date-nO longer than two years
aEO-anOther OutburSt was threatened /
end to some extent was manifested. But /
as termination Of the first, came con- /
cession and amnesty. and evidence of 4
2 God faith, and at length statehood in A
al result of the second the sun of our
prosperity was for a time obscured, the
clouds at length have rolled away ana
Utah united state hopeful and vigor-
GUS is marching bravely forward to the
music of the Union.
Il yield to on one in affection for those
my people who from the highest motives
and because they believed it a divine
command entered into the relation Of