The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-07-31
EXTRA SESSION
IS TURNED DOWN
Governor Cutler Refuses to
Convene Legislature on
School Matter.
WAIT UNTIL NEXT WINTER
CONSoLiDATIONIsTS LOSE FIRST
ROUND OF THEIR FIGHT.

be called to consider the question OF con-
solidating the University of Utah and the
State Agricultural college.
Governor John c. Cutler made this an.
nouncement yesterday afternoon. The
governor declined TO give any of the rea-
sons which actuated him in turning down
the petition of the consolidationists for
special session, but merely informed the
newspaper men that he had decided not
to call Ii.
The decision of the governor puts the
whole matter up TO the regular session OF
the legislature next winter, when IL Will
undoubtedly be the principal bone or con-
tentiOn throughout the entire session. 1t
means that, even should the Legislature
decide to submit the question of consol-
idation to the people, it cannot be voted
upon until two years from next NoVem-
Der, and for three years longer at least
the agricultural college will have sep
arate existence, even should consolida-
ton come in the long run.
Big Petitions Are Presented.
Petitions against the calling Of a spe-
cial session, signed by about LOCO per-
SONS from various towns in the state,
were presented to Governor Cutler yes
terday by John A. Hendrickson of Logan.
1t was shortly after reading these petit
lions that the governor announced his de-
cisOn not to call the extra session. The
from Logan, Ogden. Richmond, Salt
Lake, Lewiston, Brigham City, Spring
vile, Wellsville, Nephi. Spanish Fork.
Mt. Pleasant and Provo.
The Ogden petition included over 300
names. The Salt Lake signers were main
~ members of the Manufacturers &
Merchants association, but number or
other prominent names. including those
of w. S. Mccormick and ex-SecretaTy OF
State j. T. Hammond were also attached
TO the petition.
The petitions opposing an extra session
were uniform, and read as follows:
"To His Excellency, John c. Cutler
Governor of the state of Utah.
I'VE are advised by newspaper reports
that certain prominent citizens OF the
state have petitioned your eXcellency to
convene the legislature in special session
for the purpose of considering SUCH
amendment to the constitution as may be
necessary in order to consolidate the ag-
riculturaI college and the University Of
Utah. We are further advised officially
that counter petitions will be unaVail-
ing unless filed at once. We therefore,
without entering upon any arguments on
the question Of consolidation, respectfully
but most earnestly demonstrate against
calling the legislature in special session,
and urge that in our opinion there IS no
such emergency at this time, as to JUS
tify such extraordinary executive action.
I'm this connection we respectfully sub
nit the following considerations:
'First-That the statements for cOnsid-
Grafton in the petition above referred 10
are not only not germane to the question
now under consideration, but are in many
respects obviously inconsistent and mis-
LEADING.
Reports Not Printed.
"Second-The several reports of the
commission TO investigate the duplication
of the work in the two institutions have
not yet been printed, and no opportunity
has been afforded the people of this state
to familiarize themselves with the Varl-
Gus conflicting statements made therein,
or the arguments for or against CONSOLE
dation, and TO determine for themselves
the merits of the question
"Third-The present members of the
legislature were elected at time when
there was no issue as to the question Of
consolidation and they may or may not
reflect at this time the views of their
constituency upon this question. The
voters of the state should have the OPP
portunity of eIecting to the legislature
members who are in accord with the ma
iority sentiment of their respective dis
tricts, before the question of consolidation
is acted upon by the legislative body.
No Time to investigate.
"Fourth-That the period intervening
between the time of the submission OF an
amendment to the constitution by the
legislature, providing that body should
so order, and the election upon the same
would be too short TO allow the voters OF
the state to investigate the merits of the
question That the college university
reached such conflicting con-
illusions after mOnths-Of incessant investi-
cation, submitting three widely different
reports; that educators and statesmen OF
ability and standing hold
opinions upon the subject in diametrical
conflict; can it be expected that the peo-
pie as a whole can arrive at any safe or
conclusion in the short period
allowed for such purpose if the question
is to be submitted to the voters at the
next state election?
'Fifth-We are in hearty accord with
all efforts calculated to secure economy
in the expenditures required for the de-
of the higher educational in
terests of the state. but we do not be-
lieve that undue haste should character
ize the consideration of a question involv-
ing the removal of state institution up
on which has been expended 81, 100000 Of
money sand which has entered Sc vitality
into the life of the people.
Whatever our personal views may be
with reference to the merits of consol-
idation, we believe that no emergency
exists at this time demanding an ex-
traordinary session of the present legis-
latuTe. and We respectfully urge that
your excellency deny the petition asking
for same"
Congressman Howell Calls.
Congressman Joseph Howell OF Logan
called on the governor during the after
noon and urged him not to convene the
legislature. President w. ]. Kerr pres
ident of the agricultural college; Mayor
E w Robinson of Logan and H. Bull
len ir. of Logan. a member of the COM
mission appointed to investigate the ad-
visibility of consolidation. were in the
city during the day. but did not visit the
office The Logan delegation
was jubilant however. over the COVER
nOr's decision. They believe that, with
two years in which to make their cam
paign before the people of the state, they
can win 1t.
Signers of Petition.
The signers TO the petition against the
extra session were as follows.
WeIlsville-Peter NJ Vaughan, mayo:
William II. Maughn. James A. Leisman,
John B. Woodward. Robert L. Bradshaw.
e. r. Owen. John H. Maughn, Heber
Parker William II. barley, John s.
Leathean. Joshua Salisbury, William
Shaw. John r. Archibald, John s.
Benchely. John b. Hill. Alex Archibald.
Frank Wyatt. William Benchley Isaac
Green John S Baugh, Walter w. Jones.
Continued on pace a,