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  1. Overview: Utah State Constitutional Convention 1895 (2020 Edition)
  2. Full Record: Utah State Constitutional Convention 1895 (2020 Edition)
  3. Committee:The Convention
  4. Session: 1895-05-07 10:00:00
  5. Event type: CREATE_FROM

Utah State Constitutional Convention 1895 (2020 Edition)

Proceedings and Debates of the Convention Assembled to Adopt a Constitution for the State of Utah

The Convention

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Session 7401: 1895-05-07 10:00:00

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Address to the People

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To THE PEOPLE OF UTAH:

The Convention assembled to frame a Constitution for the proposed State of Utah, after two months of earnest effort, present the result of their labors for the consideration of the people of this Territory.

The ruling thought that actuated this Convention, from opening to close, was that under the direction and mandates of the Enabling Act, a Constitution must be framed that would secure to the people of Utah a wise, just and economical State government.

In this we believe we have succeeded, and we confidently submit to our fellow citizens the fruit of our deliberations, knowing that they will bear in mind the impossibility of our presenting any instrument that would not contain imperfections, inasmuch as the more than one hundred delegates who constructed it came together understanding little of each other, all more or less influenced by local ideas, and by impressions which the peculiar situation in this Territory for years past could not help but create and intensify. Nevertheless, it has been gratifying to note that there has probably been less partisan feeling and more unselfish unanimity of sentiment in this Convention than in any other political body of like character.

The inspiration behind the declaration of rights came from the great parent bill of rights framed by the fathers of our country.

The article on the proposed educational system has absorbed the best thoughts and efforts of the Convention, and draws around the public schools such protection and defense as will secure for them, it is believed, the steady upward progress which is the enthusiastic desire of this people.

The legislative article, while permitting future lawmakers to perform any needed thing, circumscribes their powers in a way to prevent either extravagance or the misuse of legislative authority.

The executive article defines clearly the prerogatives and powers of the several State officers, places all necessary authority in the hands of the executive, and at the same time supplies all needed checks to prevent usurpation of power.

The judiciary article makes possible the conducting of the courts effectively by competent judges. It seeks to exalt the judiciary and yet bring the system within a reasonable expenditure of the people's money. The probate system has been abolished, but power is given the Legislature, to restore it, if deemed necessary, or to adopt any other plan that may be wise or expedient.

The salaries of all officials have been marked down close to the danger line of extravagant economy.

We have provided to give equal suffrage to women.

We have inhibited for all time polygamous or plural marriages.

We have placed within safe limits the maximum of future taxation.

We have guarded against the possibility of any future great indebtedness of the State.

We have provided for the full development of our manifold industries, in such a way that in their expansion they will not feel any harsh friction from unjust laws.

We have provided for the correction of possible defects in the Constitution, either by amendments or by the enactment of statutes.

We have guaranteed perfect liberty of speech, freedom to the press, and absolute freedom of conscience.

We recommend our work to the gracious and generous consideration of the men and women of Utah, believing they will esteem it a fitting foundation on which to rear the structure of a glorified State.

If with statehood there will be a slight increase in taxes, the compensating advantages will cause that increased expense to be forgotten. We will be able to utilize the magnificent gift of over seven million acres of land from our generous government; we will be able to secure capital for our mines; under the shield of statehood thousands of people will seek homes in our climate, assist to develop our wondrous and varied resources, and rejoice in the manifold blessings bestowed by nature upon our highly favored commonwealth.

When we reflect that this instrument will secure to us in its highest sense local self-government with State officers of our own selection, and courts for the swift, capable and economical administration of the laws by judges of the people's choosing; that it will give us a school system abreast of the foremost in the Union, with power to utilize the lands donated to our educational institutions; give us a voice in the election of Presidents, also two senators and one representative to present the claims of our new State in the Congress of the nation, and the star of Utah to the hallowed ensign of the Republic, bestow upon us full sovereignty with all that this majestic term implies, and thus draw to us capital and population and invest us with a dignity that can never attach to a territorial condition, with steady swelling confidence we submit this Constitution to the consideration of the people of Utah, in the certain belief that they will, by an overwhelming majority, endorse and ratify our work.

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