Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1915-04-23
THE BETRAYAL
OF FAIR UTAH."
An Open Letter to Governor William Spry by Professor L. N
Nelson of the B. u of Provo Endorsed by Utah Bet
terment League.


sponsor Of the bill and two associates
are chosen. They find him at the Ho-
tel Utah. Meanwhile, he has been ap-
prised Of this new move on the part Of
the legislature. Unheard-of imperti-
nence! Here are some choice ex-
cerpts from his angry speech, as TAX
en- down at the time and verifiable by
scores of people:
where is that committee who un-
derstand is hunting me to give me a
bill passed by the legislature? un-
derstand they are three Of the stall
warts! It is c. D. insult to
thus hunt the Governor up on the
streets. It shows the d
little peanut methods of the senators
and those who have been pushing this
prohibition matter!"
All, my dear Governor, your words
could not be more delectable were
they soaked in whiskey! Your man
ners, however, have been trifle cor
rupted by your late associates. But
lay it on, Governor. Instinct teaches
you well how to save the situation.
These are modest gentlemen, who
shrink from an angry brawl in a pub
lie place. At this moment they merely
represent Utah in her Hottest, hottest
desires; even as you at this moment
represent her at her lowest and bas-
est!
The committee seeks to temporize,
explaining that they accepted the mis-
sion as an honor and hoped that you
would receive the visit in the same
sense. But your anger grows apace
it is the only recourse left to keep
them from handing over the bill!
Presently they leave you, to avoid fur
Their insult. You have won! May
the bitterness Of the victory never
leave your mouth till you repent in
sackcloth and ashes.
Next morning you notice that the
letter accompanying the bill is dated
March 9Th. You Immediately send a
message back to the senate asking
that the date be changed to the 9Th.
And the senate complies! thus OBJ
literating, as you think, the last
chance Of judicial reversal of the
veto which you have now fully deter
mined upon.
For the present let your role of
spectacular and profane bully stand
simply as Achievement No. 8.
Achievement No. 6.
You have now reached the point
when you need not return the bill for
what you know will be 4 certain re-
versal of your veto-that is to say, if
you do not value your word of honor.
Still, it would smooth things nightly
if you could do so and still win out.
It. is worth the attempt, and you con-
sequently begin training your insidu-
Gus forces upon the senate; and in
the four or five days left, to the con-
sternation of the friends Of the bill,
it's majority threatens to slip away.
II Is the last day and the Legislative
clocks are stopped. Both houses still
expect you to redeem your pledge,
and rumor says you will send the bill
back at the last moment. But the
senate is now almost in a panic. II
has had up till today, a bare two
thirds majority in favor Of the meas.
ure, and now it learns that one mem.
Der is doubtful.
1t is the last battle between prohibi
ton and whiskey-during this session
and the forces Of hell must not win
Telephones are made busy, and soor
hundred of the doubtful senator
constituents are present to bolster hi
weakening integrity.
The next move is up to you, Mr.
Spry; for you are now face to fac
with the moral manhood and woman
hood of the state. Will you redeem
your pledge or will you take the las
leap for dishonor? In such crisis n,
man falls, If it be his first temptation
But If it be a elimination of man.
previous falls, he cannot help but g
down. A half million people wait i
suspense for your final decision! Slow
ly the day passes. No message ar
rives, and the legislature adjourni
You are in the moral balance Of
deeply wounded people. Darkness
closes down over your shameful be
trayal. William Spry was an honor
able man.
Every reader will have his ow
Characterization Of this "deed withou
a name; let it stand here as merel
achievement No. 8.
Achievement No. Z.
Next comes your veto message wit
its pitiful attempt at justification. W
resent the general tone Of it, whic
is that Of an insolent assumption
superiority over the legislature. III