Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-01-09
rHE LEGISLATURE.


The Legislature OF the state OF Titan
win soon be in session and engaged in
the performance of the important du-
ties entrusted To- that body by the
citizens We welcome the legislators
from the various parts of Utah TO the
Capital and trust their stay here Will
he pleasant Co themselves as well as
profitable 20 the state. Our Utah leg
islators az "a rule are as fine set of
men as can be- found in any state. they
are as intelligent well-informed aud
independent. as any. They have done
good work IN the past and We have
fun confidence in those who are now
about 10 take up the work in the lcsis-
latipe halls.
Many important measures will, uu-
doubtedly, be laid before the legislators
None win be Of greater Importance than
those relating 10 temperance ana Sun
day closing We hope the gentlemen
viii not fall into the error Of consid-
ering tho movement in favor OF pro-
hibition and Sunday closing Of amuso-
ment halls and resorts az a passing
fad TO which they need TO pay no at
tcntion Il is result OF a moral
awakening an over the United states.
and tho only regret Is that Utah Is not
IN the front ranks Of reform. Tho
movement has already obtained perma-
hence. and Il has been wonderfully e.
fective. According TO Golfers, during
1908, 1000 saloons we're voted out Of
existence in the United states, adding
$4,000 square miles 10 area and $500,
900 in population To- the dry" territory
Beginning with Jan. j. 1909, there will
be eight prohibition States. AT the
next session Of the legislature Of Ten
nesseo a majority OF the members are
pledged 20 vote Tor statewide prohibi-
ton. and the night will be carried into
other state legislatures. The matter
can no longer be ignored our loEis-
lators viii have 10 give IL their thought
ful attention. unless they are prepared
TO defy public opinion.
Many other important measures win
come up, but there win also he some
that can be rclegatod 60 the waste bias
ket without public loss. Many poc-
pie have an idea that an their griev-
ances, from "a sore toe 10 the pric"
OF grind stones ought to be aired Ia the
legislative chambers As a result valu
able time is too often wasted Ia alb
solutely fruitless discussion. and when
the day 20 close comes work of inn
portance must be done ia a sllpshod
manner because there ia not SUN
Client time left for proper consideration
OF the business ia hand. II time Is
economical as 1t ought TO be. there
should be no occasion for overNyork and
sleeplessness during the last days OF
the session.
one % the evils OF our time Is tho
food OF legislation that finds It's way
&c the statute hooks without being de-
manded Some Legislators seem to be-
lieve that they have not done their
duty unless they have introduced soma
sort Of bill But that is a mistake
The wise legislator is he who opens
his eyes TO the needs OF the State and
who refuses 10 lend aid 20 any plan
that Is not laid for the promotion Of
the welfare Of an. The wise legislator
viii seek 20 reduce the number OF bills
presented and set mp close uvestlga-
tion OF those advancing TO engrossmont
He win seek 10 put useful laws ON the
books and save the states time nom
the consideration of useless bills, "ne
leglslates best who leglsiates least"
Excess In legislation is one OF the caus-
as OF disregard FOR law. Very few now
laws are needed and the time should
be given 60 those, ana not 20 the dis
cussion Of trivial matters
We hope the Legislature about 20
convene win make a record for care
ful conscientious conservative, ANA
efficient work.