Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1901-03-21
GOVERNOR WELLS VETOES
EVANS POLYGAMY BILL.
ttah's Executive Says 1t Invites Discord
and Disaster and Would Injure
Those 1t Seeks to Protect.

hhose IL seeks to Protect.
Governor Wells, Thursday, vetoed
Senate bill No. 119, known as the
Evans bill, which was designed to pre-
vent prosecutions for unlawful cohabi-
tation of those who entered into polyg-
hmous relations prior to 1891 The
measure passed both houses by sub
stantial majorities. The governor
could have killed the bill by pigeon
holeing it, or by vetoing 1t after the
legislature adjourned, but he chosero
do neither, and sent his veto in in time
to be acted upon at the last days ses-
sion of the legislature. Following is
his message vetoiug the measure:
No official act Of my life has been approached
| py me with sense of responsibility so pro-
| found as Is involved in the consideration OF
thls Dill. II Is measure Of the supremest inn
| portanee, and in its consequences for good or
| Ill, 1t easily surpasses any other proposition
| that ever came before this commonwealth for
| legislative and executive determination 1t
| has been argued in both branches of this as
| sembly with splendid force and ability while
| its provisions have doubtless been eagerly dis
rnssed in the remotest hamlet of our state.
With due allowance for the eXaggerations that
may be expected from those who warmly sup
| port, and from those who with equal warmth
hntagonize the measure, accord to all Of them
| without any reservation whatever, full credit
for absolute sincerity, breadth of sympathy
and desire for the public welfare. which Of
themselves render it noteworthy and unique
piece of proposed legislation
But these conditions only serve to make the
responsibility of the executive the more
weighty, and could have wished to be spared
the test. Nevertheless the recollection of my
oath of office, the requirements of my duty as
understand II, and the convictions # my own
best judgment and my conscience unite in de-
mandlng OF me that withhold approval from
this bill. If | know myself can sincerely say
that am anxious that the very best and wisest
thing shall be done in respect to all matters
that have yexed us so much in times past And
Knowing this whole people as | do, it is my
firm conviction that whatever the present feel
ing may be, they will be sincerely grateful in
the days to come II this measure is not written
upon the statute books.
The patience, loyalty and conservatism of
our citizens are so widely recognized that only
by the passage OF such bill as this can their
reputation be injured 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 blgoted
and the meddlesome have to admit that with
some exceptions the conduct and integrity OF
the people are above reproach.
In my opinion nothing can be clearer than
that this bill. If passed, would be welcomed ana
employed as most effective weapon against
the very classes whose condition 1t is intended
to ameiorate. Furthermore, have every rea-
son to believe its enactment would be the signal
gress for q const{tntjonaI amendment directed
ssaiair oaa;nSt certain social conditinns here !
anana s,rhieb MAJ The ciranmstapcas would
ass,,radly no conniied with While IL ma y he
urgad maj in anv event only the few could he
made to suffer is ii not an odious thought, re-
aaad ~, ,,a,,y that he whole state shnnId inns
~ -. - :, ,pga,a ha,3y S,raiy ttara iS none "
selfish and unpatriotc as to argue that this is
| fnsta arres ~ utionNnnbncked aS thev
- - ai,kan r. rasnant / hla ,,oroi snn,nort q,
nv bS NANh'i PtNNt"oiS Ai!Shui HSpPStN "a