The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-15
Questionable Measure That Caused
Much Discussion Vetoed by Gov
ernor Heber VI. Wells.
MORMON'S TALK TO M0RM0NS
REASONS OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE
STATED AT LENGTH IN A MESSAGE.
Bill Described as n Phantom That In
vites IN DeIuge OF Discord and
Disaster to All.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. March IA
Governor Wells has vetoed the Evans bill.
relating TO the making of complaints and
commencing OF prosecutions in criminal
cases. Following is the full text of the veto
message sent to the Senate tonight:
Il have the honor TO return herewith.
without approval. Senate bill No. llS An
Statutes of Utah, 1895, In relation TO the
making of complaints and commencing OF
cial act Of my life has been approached
by me with a sense of responsibility 30
profound as is involved in consideration OF
this bill. 1t is a measure OF the supremest
Importance, and In its consequences for
good or i'll il easily surpasses any other
proposition that ever came before this
commonwealth for legislative and execu-
tive determination. 1t has been argued in
roth branches of the Assembly with splen-
did force and ability, while its provisions
have doubtless been eagerly discussed n
the remotest hamlet OF our State. With
due allowance for the exaggerations that
may be expected from those who warmly
support and from those who with equal
warmth antagonize the measure. 1 accord
tc all of them, without any reservation
whatever, fun credit for absolute sincerity,
breadth OF sympathy and a desire for tbs
Public welfare, which of themselves render
II 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 10 be spared the test. Never
lieieSS,. the TtCOiltCllOn q 4 my Odln OK
office, the requirements of my duty as 1
understand IL. and the conviction of my
Cwn best judgment and my conscience
Unite in demanding of me that l withhold
IF know myself, 1 can sincerely say
that l am anxious that the very best and
v1sest thing shall be done in respect TO all
matters that have vexed Us so much in
times past. And. knowing this whole peo-
pIe as / do. 1t Is my firm conviction that
whatever the present feeling may be. they
will be sincerely grateful in the days to
come If this measure Is not written upon
the statute books. The patience. loyalty
and conservatism of our citizens are 4
widely recognized that only by the passing
OF such a bill as this can their reputation
be injured. The brOad-miDded and intellI-
gent everywhere accept the situation here
as IL exists and are content 10 let tins
complete the solution of the problem. Even
the bigoted and the meddlesome have to
ADMIT that, with rare exceptions, the con-
ohct and integrity Of the people are above
leproach.
WOULD RECOIL ON THE PEOPLE.
"In my opinion nothing can be clearer
than that this bill, If passed, would be well
coined and employed as a most effective
weapon against the very classes whose con-
dition it is intended TO ameliorate. Further
more, L have reason TO believe its enact
ment would be the signal for a general de-
mand on the national Congress for a con-
stitutional amendment directed against GER
tain social conditions here. a demand
which. under the present circumstances,
would surely be complied with. While IL
may be urged that in every event the poor
could be made TO suffer, is IL not an odtouS
thought, repulsive TO every good citizen or
whatsoever creed or party, that the whole
State should thus be put under a bany
Surely there is none so selfish and unpatrl-
otto as to argue that this Is preferable TO
the endurance of a few isolated instances
of prosecution-unbacked, as they are, by
either respectable morals. support or SYM
pathy-
All of us can readily recall the condi-
tons of the past, as compared with those OF
to-day: In the shortest memory still re-
main incidents of that distressing period
shortly before statehood during which SO
much sorrow and bitterness stalked
through our community. OF still more re-
cent date-no longer than two years ago.,
another outburst was threatened. and, to
some extent, was manifested But, as a
termination Of the first, came concession
and amnesty. an evidence OF good faith.
and at length statehood. in which every
body rejoiced; and while as a result OF the
second. the sun of our prosperity was for
a time obscured, the clouds at length have
rolled away and Utah. united, hopeful and
vigorous. is marching bravely forward 10
the music of the Union.
Il yield to no one I'm affection for these.
my people, who from the highest motives.
and because they believed IL a divine COM
mand, entered into the relation of plural
marriage. Born and reared In Utah. my
self a product Of that marriage system.
taught from infancy TO regard my lineage
as approved of the Almighty, and proud to-
day. as / have ever been. OF my heritage.
it will be granted. I trust, that every In
stinct of my nature reaches out 10 shield
my friends from harm and TO protect them
from unjust attack. Their cause is my
cause, and when they are hurt / am hurt,
for / am a part of them. But in that same
heart which is filed with sympathy for
them, | find also the solemn feeling that
this bill holds out only a false hope OF pro-
lection, and that in offering a phantom Of
relief 10 a few. IL I'm reality invites a deluge
of discord and disaster to all.
For these reasons, briefly and imper-
fectly stated. and for many others which
might be given at length, j am unable 10
approve the bill now before me.
"HEBER NJ. WELLS. Governor"