Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-02-15
An Open Letter to Legislators,
Political Organs and Bosses.

able. would destroy an ideals OF Amer
lean institutions.
mn. average American citizen must
take moro interest in politics the scl-
enco OF government must THINK more
about Questions of public policy, must
read an honest press more must zee lo
20 that sincere. well Informed men ale
nominated for office. or his liberties
win slip away from him. and repfcsen-
tqf.va government become Mss ana
bytori Citizens OF Utah. wake up
politically about primary time, don
permit "riugs" or lunches 90 DOME
nate your conventions. 10 is up % YOU
To- SEQ that your desires are carried our.
When sixty odd OF the big business
men" OF salt Lake feel their import
nnce" and superior WIDOW TO such eN-
tent that thew petitlon the legislature
90 listen TO thoir Opinions as against
the TENS of thousands Of citizens nom
AN walks OF life. because Of their 'socinl
standing" and achievements, II Is
high time that the rest Of the state re-
sent such arrogance and reflection ON
the Intelligence OF the rank ana Me OK
her citizenship.
Does the slzo of a mans bank ac-
count indicate his superior wisdom as
regards questions like prohibition IN
volying as IL does morality, economies
and national perpetuityt All nations
that have died. died drunk.
Does shrewdness In business, enjoy
ment OF big profits. direct or Indirect
from the liquor traffic. business ana
social prestige, count as against the
HEADINGS 0f outraged wives. cries OF
| impoverished children, the appeals OF
| helpless, weak mon slaves 20 drink
the sober. studied opinion OF 50 per
cent OF the states population? For
the vast majority OF those petiuomng
the legislature for prohibition are those
who have studied the question Tor
nearly half "a century, have been
| taught temperance from infancy.
| Thousands OF them have travelled IN
| an nations preaching temperance ana
studying other peoples. They are the
very people who by their temperance
and industry have builded this great
| state and made possible the social
/ standing" and commercial prestlg-
/ of the so odd petitioners who ask the
! legislature TO listen TO them as against
! the "CommOncr folk
What must be the ideal Of the leg.s-
! lator who would listen II those whose
! only standard is the dollar? VINO
/ measures coin against souls? VINO
! would sacrifice the commercial ana
! economic welfare of the future for tho
/ paltry immediate profits
/ But as 10 business. How any per
| SON laying claim Co ordinary intelli-
| gence can figure that any business, eX-
| cept that Of the parasites OF society.
1 could be iniuriously affected By pro-
! hibtion is beyond my comprehension.
! N drunkards Jones, Smith, et al, can
/ no longer waste their money on booze,
/ and can consequently buy new clothes
| groceries, pay iustallmeuts on home
| purchases. etc. will this fact maks
| hard times? Away with, subterfuge
| hypocrisy. deception. Don't try TO use
! your social standing" club on Utah
| legislators or citizens. II won't work
! gentlemen.
! Prohibition would drive from Salt
| Lake and the rest Of tho state the very
| element which make possible 'carnlval
! of crimes" as constantly reported iu
| the press What rObber ever attempted
| his work without "A drink 81 whisky tr
/ brace him3 And how many burglars
| escape because OF the facility with
! which police themselves obtain booze
What I say Of the impudence Of tho
80 big business mem I say with as
| much emphasis OF the bosses. who ar.
| rogate to themselves to advise legisla'
| tors as 10 their duty to their party
| which has never had an opportunity
20 express itself on the prohibition
! question. Who appointed the bunch
| 20 speak for the whole party which
controls the present Legislature?
BY what inherent right do the cor
gans" pretend 10 express the senti
ments OF the rank and file OF tho par
| ties?
The people are sovereign. The onll
safe course for legislators and Leaders
IS TO listen TO them Any other cours'
Is a violation OF all ideals OF represen
/ tatlve government. Sincerely.
GEORGE A. STARTUP.
] Provo. Utah, Feb 10, 1909.