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Show 1 OGDEN IGNORED BY THE GOVERNOR. H Ogden is to be denied a commission form of government such H as the people of Ogden are demanding, and this denial, we are in- H formed, is from the Governor of the state. H We are surprised that Governor Spry, in matters affecting only H this city, should attempt to dictate. If Ogden were seeking some- j thing in the way of legislation inimical to the best interests of the H entire state, the governor might be expected to call a halt, but in H asking for legislation purely local, Ogden 's desires alone should be H consulted, and, we are of the opinion, this is the first time in the H history of legislation in this state when the unanimous petition of H the people of a municipality has been disregarded by a governor. H The committee men from Ogden that waited on Governor Spry, H to urge the importance of the commission form of government as H successfully enforced in Des Moines, Galveston and other cities, were H informed that the governor would veto any legislation providing for H the recall or the initiative and referendum, three of the cardinal Hj principles of a commission form of government. The executive was H willing to grant Ogden a mere shell in the form of a commission of H three to preside over the affairs of the city, but he emphatically op- H p03ed the recall, the initiative and the referendum. H We are surprised and somewhat dismayed. None should fear or 1 dread the recall except the crafty politician who enters office re H solved to graft; none should oppose the initiative and referendum 1 except the fellow who dislikes public opinion in the guidance of public Hj affairs. j What ails Utah, that we are so non-progressive in our political H affairs as to be stupidly conservative and even retrogressive? There H is not another state in the union where a city, appealing for a com- H mission form of government, would be denied that right in the work- H ing out of its problems of local self-government. H The governor should not set himself on a pedestal so high as to H be beyond the reach of the people. LH v |
