Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-01-13
LEGISLATORS AND THE PEOPLE

U
and the discharge Of his duties. a lesls-
lator Is iustlaed in ignoring the wishes
cf his constituents as expressed iu rcs-
olutions or by petition.
Ia government like ours who're the
people are sovereign. where Tor the
sake 81 convenience and economy they
select delegates 60 carry out their wish
cs instead of holding mass meetings to
decide every question that comes up. IT
is mistaken idea Ion any man 500
chosen 20 Imagine ne S. paid 90 carry
on his own business or 20 enact into
laws his own views.
He is a servant Of the people an
cmploye ia their pay. whose highest
duty ls Co ascertain their wishes and
exercise every faculty al his command
to carry them out Men sometimes
grow arrogant In the contemplation of
good majority and congratulate
themselves that they were elected Co
office because OF superior Judgment or
ability they ignore their constituents
and seek counsel of those who assume
or affect generosity But such men
are bound TO discover the error in time.
They were elected because they were
supposed 20 be in touch with the people
who elected them. and because the
people had confidence in their carry
ing out the aims the wishes, the pun
poses OF their community
~ any member of the present legis-
lature OF Utah represents a coustitu-
ency which insists upon a continuation
OF the liquor traffic he has right to
vote and speak against prohibition.
But 81 his constituents favor prohibit
tion he has no right 10 oppose a. lie
has no right 20 turn from their plead
ngs and demands 20 the more seduc-
tive arguments of the committee OPP
Grating IN the interest OF the breweries
and saloons
II may be said that these people con-
tributed heavily TO the expenses of his
campaign. wherefore "A member may
feel himself under some obligation to
reward the contributors by the pro-
lection OF their interests. But the OBJ
legation is not binding upon him. II 1t
was made it was by a coterie of poll
tcians who have no more right 10 die
tate 20 the people or 20 thwart their
win than have the brewers themselves.
n any one can present an argument
IN favor Of a continuance of the saloon
business in Utah the public would be-
glad 70 see Il. II those who adyo-
cate prohibition are mistaken, their
mistakes should be pointed out. IL
saloons are good thing for Utah, let
as have more OF them. If they are
good for salt Lake let us have them in
every hamlet Of the state, II the brew
cries are doing commendable work, let
as multiply them and distribute them
through the settlements. But show US
wherein they are beneficial. Reassure
the mothers whose sons have been
drifting from the influence Of home.
calm the terrors OF wives and children
who listen In alarm TO the coming foot
steps OF dissis led husbands and ia
theirs.
But don't tell us how many rooms
win be left vacant by the closing OF
saloons Don't threaten that our rev.
enues win be cut down when no more
licenses are issued, or that the fines OF
our police courts viii diminish under
prohibition. These are arguments too
sordid for men 10 consider who believe
In home life, in family ties IN morality
and Ia the hereafter. Surely the peace
Of communities, the happiness OF lives.
the souls OF men are more important
than the size OF the blood fund gath
cred from the grog shop and the police
court
Every cent received from liquor ~
oenso is tainted money paid 20 the
public Tor prostitution OF rights and
privileges. Every fne collected in po-
lice court from drunkards De- SO much
bread taken from hungry mouths.
And when II comes 20 the test we
hope the members OF the present State
Legislature win be found on the side Of
the people. hoarkenIng 20 their appeals.
yoicing their sentiments and carrying
out their wishes 10 matters Of legisla-
uon.
This prohibition fight is not new
one. 10 is not craze demanding
freak laws Every southern state every
northern state but two and every vest
crn state lut those Immediately sur
rounding utah has curtaied. Or entire
ly abolished the sale. or manufacture.
oft int0Nicants. 10 Utah would justify
her reputation as Che home of "a tenn
perate and religious people. She cannot
AFFORD ,1 Dee the last of al the states
| to Join the procession marching TO-
Wards national pIohipbitiou.
our legislators should see DO it than
/ Utah takes her proper place ln line.