Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-02-01

Nothing of value would Boz lost SO
The rigid liquor bin that IS go bee
introduced" to counteract the prohi-
bitve legislation demanded in no UNI
certain language by the people OF Utah
were rclegated TO tho waste basket IL
cannot be proposed seriously
Tn the first place. its cncct would be
TO deprive the communities of local
self-government in the matter Of issu-
ing saloon licenses. 70 says, ia sub
stance. TO the people. il you are not
satisfied with the manner Do which
the traffic is conducted. just turn IL
over 20 certain state officials, and they
viii run 50 for you But that Is an
experiment that had better not be
tried. In order 60 bring honesty and
competency into the management of
municipal affairs, the people must be
given more important part than they
have now. That seems 90 be the gem
eral trend Of the sentiment an over
the country. This bin proposes 20 cur
tail the power now exercised by mum
icipalties. It is a step IN the direction
Of government by commissions, which
IS not am American ideal
In the second place. Il renders #
possible for the chief officials TO make
the saloon part Of a political machine
for sinister purposes. There would be
no danger as long as the State is
blessed with good officials and the
leadership Of the predominant party
is IN honest hands. but that may not
always be the case. Il is measure
that On some particulars reminds one
OF the Ubiquitous Ripper bill OF
Pennsylvania fame. and which was
framed, If we remember right for the
sole purpose Of strengthening a poll
teal machine
According 20 this bill licenses can
be refused at the option Of the board.
Consequently if a license is applied for
by political opponent 1t can be re-
fused. And II an applicant refuses to
contribute toward the campaign funds
of whatever party happens 10 be in
power. he can be turned down. The
people are not willing TO vest that
power IN a few men. It is a danger
Gus experiment
Legislators viii do well TO bear IN
mind that the saloon cannot be regulat-
ed by law. II is an utter impossibility
70 frame any law that will restrict the
LIQUOR traffic within the bounds Of tenn
peranee. for the simple reason that very
many Of those who engage in that kind
of business deliberately break the laws
enacted for their regulation. Regulation
does not regulate. and prohibition may
not prohibit as long as officials can be
bought to close their eyes, but pro-
hibition outlaws the saloon as IL does
the "red-light" district and the opium
den. II drives away that form of temp
tation from the main horoughfares.
ana that is something. The people are
asking for a conservative law that
closes the saloons and puts a stop to
the open shameless traffic IN souls
that now disgraccs our cities. They
demand a good prohibition law. and
they win not be satisfied with a poor
substitute Tor the present laws
The people are determined TO stop
the retail liquor trade They viii not
tolerate the hlthy vicious. criminal
saloon. They are weary of persistent
violation of necessary and reasonable
ordinances ana of the hypocrisy and
immortality OF many alleged guardians
OF the law who are tho secret allies
Of such offenders. That is the secret
Of the agitation ANA party leaders
should mot make the mistake OF fail-
ins 10 read the Hsus of the dimes
right