The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-02-18
LEGLSL A ITON AND LEGISLATORS
TO SUBMIT II
TO THE PEOPLE
Senator Badger Offers ReSolu-
ton FavOring Prohibition by
Constitutional Amendment.

\ move that was somewhat unantici-
pated was taken yesterday by the oppo-
nents to the Cannon prohibition bill in
the Introduction of d resolution in the
senate by Senator Carl Badger providing
for the submission Of a constitutional
amendment TO the people at the next gen
eral election declaring for statewide pro-
hibition.
The proposed amendment provides that
the manufacture, sale or gift of any in
toxicsting liquor in the state. except Tor
medicinal, scieat1fie and mechanical pur-
poses, shall be forever prohibited and
for the enactment OF laws by the leglS-
latuTe carrying out this provision.
The resolution to pass must receive
twO-thIrds vote of each house of the leg
islature. If passed the prohibition dues-
ton VIII be voted on BY the people of
the state at the general election of 1910.
and If passed will become a part of the
state constitution on Jan. l. 1911.
With reference to the introduction OF
the resolution Senator Badger said yes
terday;
Purpose of Resolution.
Il am naturally a prohibitionist consti-
tutionally and by training Nevertheless
am opposed to summary legislation on
this subject I do not believe in legislative
enactment which will destroy a business
carried on for sixty years because Of six
weeks agitation. The question should be
one for the people. not the legislature, to
decide. This resolution, if passed, will
make it possible for the people to record
their views on this subject and to decide
the question for themselves.
IF we are to have prohibition it should
be by a constitutional amendment. The
question should be settled once for all.
If we pass a prohibition bill at this ses-
sion of the legislature the question is
sure to come up at the next session of the
legislature, and We will have constant
agitation on the subject. 1t would be pos
sible to pass a bill that would he repealed
at the next legislature, and to have a sim
liar bill passed by the succeeding legis-
latuTe only to be repealed by the legis-
/ latuTe after that, keeping the state in
interminable turmoil. If the constitution
contains a prohibition section this may
not be changed without the acquiescence
of majority of the people of the state,
and they are not given the opportunity TO
vote on it until the vote shall have been
ordered by two-thirds of the members OF
each mouse of the legislature
Under the rules the Badger resolution
was laid on the table for day and will
be referred to the committee on manu-
features and commerce today. To pass
the senate the resolution would need
twelve votes 1t seems unlikely that IL
will receive more than half that number.
so that there is even less probability OF
the adoption of the resolution than there
is of the final passage of the Cannon pro-
hibition bill.
The text of the resolution follows:
The Proposed Amendment.
Be ii resolved and enacted by the leg
/ islature of the state of Utah:
Section THAT it is hereby proposed
to amend the constitution of the state OF
/ Utah by enacting a new section, as fol-
| lows;
The manufacture. sale and gift of in
| toxicating liquors shall be forever pro-
| hibited in this state. except for medicinal
scientific and mechanical purposes. The
| legislature shall enact laws with suitable
penalties for the suppression of the man.
i ufacture. sale and gift of Intoxicating
/ liquors, with the exceptions herein spec
/ flied.
! Sec. THE secretary of the state is
hereby ordered to cause this proposition
! to be published in at least one newspaper
/ in every county of the state where q
| newspaper is published. for two months
| Immediately preceding the next general
| election
| See 9--This proposition shall be sub
/ nlitted to the electors of this state at the
/ next general election. for their approva
/ or disapproval. All official ballots USED
| at such election shall have printed o1
| written thereon the words. For the pro
/ hibition amendment" ana Against th'
prohibition amendment together witt
such other title designating such amend
/ ment as may be provided by law. Saic
| ballots shall be received, and said vote.
1 shall be taken, counted. canvasSed and re
/ turns thereof be made in the same man
! ner and in all respects as is provided By
/ law in the case of the election OF STATE
| officers.
! Sec. 4-This amendment. if adopted 2
| said election. shall take effect and be il
/ force from and after the first day o
/ January A. D. 1910.