Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-01-27
JOHN Y. SMITH
TURNS THEM DOWN
Delegation from Utah County
Made Acquainted With
His Sentiments.
HE is AGAINST PROHIBITION,
Petition Signed by 10000 Residents
Fails to secure Senator's Prospect
i've Vote for Cannon Bin.

A committee Of 30 representative men
from Utah county waited upon Senator
John y. smith, at the Kenyon last
night 10 secure from him a statement
Of his position on prohibition They
got il. Professor Brimhal, of the
Brigham Young university. at Provo,
acted as spokesman for the meeting
He stated lhat at a mass meeting of
the citizens OF Provo held the previous
evening hc and the other men present
from that place had been selected 10
brine 10 him the wishes of over 10000
of the people Of Utah county calling
upon the members OF the legislature
from that section 10 work for the en-
sctmeut Of "a law prohibiting the manu-
facture or sale OF liquor Ia the state.
Mr. Brimhall also called the attention
of the senator 70 the TACT that the other
men lf the committee came by the APP
pointmept of the mayors Of tho differ
ent cities In Utah county, and urged
upon the senator the necessity Of con-
sidering their suggestions
SENATOR SMITHS ATTITUDE,
Ia reply senator Smith said
"A great majority OF the leading
business men of salt Lake and other
large cities Of the state are today OPP
posed to statewide prohibition. They
do not view with approval the prac-
teal conhscation Of $S,0Oo000 or $1,000
600 worth Of property owned by the
people engaged in the liquor traffic.
III It We're only the objections OF the
brewer the distiller and the saloon man
which We We're to encounter our road
20 action in the matter would be sim
pie. But the interests Of others are
SO closely interviewer with those Of the
men whose money Is invested In the
LIQUOR traffic that the sudden enact
ment Of a prohibition measure would be
a financial calamity 70 the state.
There are thousands Of influential
business men Of the state who believe
that at this time the enactment of an
absolute state wide prohibition law
would be too drastic, but who stand
almost 20 a man for the correction or
the liquor traffic as 1t is conducted at
present
sThere are thousands Of men who IN
duIge moderately in the use OF alco-
holie beverages who do not look with
favor ON legislation making their acts
criminal
III Is from the pointed logic Of this
class of citizens the greatest opposi-
tion to prohibition is encountered.
II ann emphatic In the declaration
for saloon regulation and correction.
II. however tho question resolves itself
into the continuation OF the lqucr
business as it Is at present conducted,
or absolute statewide prohibition,
will certainly champion your cause Tor
prohibition
An attempt was also made TO see
senator Gardner by tho committee
but in this they we're disappointed.
The three house members from that
district were seen however, and each
of them stated mis- intention OF carry
inc o,It The wishes Of their constitu-
cnts In the matter. Senator Smiths
attitude created considerable surprise
in the committee. az Il is reported
thai he had previsously stated ms
Intention OF working for prohibition.
several OF the members OF the com
rniftee give Il as their firm belief
mat the senator viii be found IN
Inc ave column when tho vote Is
called for in the senate.