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Show I! CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT PROHIBITS CANDIDATES USING MONEY IN ELECTIONS I Senator Joseph Chez's interview in The Standard yesterday was incomplete, incom-plete, on account of lack of space. The Senator had kindl consented to reply to any question concerning legislation legis-lation In which the public is interest ed. The interview was in no sense an attempt at reviewing the entire work of the legislature, but merely interesting interest-ing comment by the Senator on new laws in which the people of Ogdon and Weber count v are especially concerned-Asked whether the corrupt practices law fills the popular demand and the public need. Senator Chez replied: I "In my opinion, yes: it is sufficiently! drastic, restricting expenditures in campaigns and elections; making itj dangerous, indeed, and legally impossible, impos-sible, for unscrupulous candidates to win ofTlcial positions by the use of money. "The law prohibits all kinds of practices, prac-tices, which might give one candidate an unfair advantage over another. Our aim was to establish such safeguards that all candidates should necessarily stand upon their merits, thus assuring assur-ing a square deal and giving poor, but worthy and able, men an equal opportunity oppor-tunity for political advancement "Voters in future must go to the polls without anj candidates's assistance, assist-ance, and the candidate who attempts, directly or indirectly, to gain a special advantage by the use of money will likely find himself in very hot water." School Houses for Use. "Was the law passed permitting the maximum use of school-houses?" was asked. "Yes." replied the Senator, giving the boards of education discretionary authority to permit the use by the people peo-ple of any and all school buildings for educational and entertainment purposes, purpos-es, with a view to the maximum use of the school buildings, in which the people peo-ple have a large investment The aim was to give the school boards authority au-thority to permit such use of the buildings. build-ings. The directors have been quite willing, I think, to allow the use of I the school houses as community centers, cen-ters, but until now they lacked the ' necessary authority." "What of the workmen's compensation compen-sation law?" was a question. "The measure adopted is one of ihe most liberal." the Senator replied. "Under its provisions, whenever an employe is injured, he is paid on a I basis of fifty-live percent of his wages ! for seven years." Senator Frowns Deeply. "What do you think of the public I utilities bill as passed?" was asked. The Senator rose and paced the L floor, frowning deeply He was silent I for a minute, then replied: "It covers all surface utilities It is an admirable start, if properly en- forced. In theory it will have a legal 'department, a traffic department and ! an engineer, so that the valuation of all properties coming within its jurisdiction juris-diction may be obtained." The Senator declined to comment on I Governor Bamberger's two appointments appoint-ments on the utilities commission. Other Good Legislation. For what other legislation should the people rejoice?" was asked. "Well, the revenue law, requiring mines to pay taxes on three times their net proceeds as an occupation tax. is extremely interesting. The purpose was to put mines on the same basis as other property. The law would bring in an estimated revenue of about two million dollars every two years, never collected before, but I think the! law is unconstitutional. If the law doesn't stand the test after the Governor Gov-ernor signs the bill, he will have to call a special session of the legisla ture. "The new irrigation laws are vitally vital-ly important. These laws will be simplified, sim-plified, codified and consolidated Into a definite scientific s stern. Enormous benefit will result. "The budget system of handling state expense will be highly profitable. profita-ble. The Governor must report, six months before the legislature meets, how much money is required for each department, and appropriations must not exceed the estimate." Income Tax Wanted. Reverting again to the revenue bill, Senator Chez said.: "The bill placing the occupation tax on mines passed with 26 votes, two more than necessary to pass it in the house. If that dernier resort of the conservatives had failed, the legislature legisla-ture would have passed the income tax bill, which seemed more fair. It had passed the house, but didn't get through the senate. Income tax applies ap-plies to all alike. No, Governor Bam- berger had said he would veto the in-1 come tax bill. "We passed the Cla ton anti-trust law, benefitting labor. It was lost once, but I succeeded in having it reconsidered re-considered and passed. Workers now legally can unite and organize under the laws of Utah. As in the case of the prohibition bill, a mysterious accident ac-cident happened to this bill, making it unlawful for the workers to organize, organ-ize, but the 'accident' fortunately was discovered, as in the case of the prohibition pro-hibition bill, by Mr. George A. Startup of Provo He is entitled to great credit cred-it for his diligence and praiseworthy assistance to the lawmakers. Civil Service Lost. "Why didn't the civil service bill pass?" was asked. Senator Chez protested that he disliked dis-liked having to say anything which might be construed as criticism of any other legislator, but when the report er assured him of keen public interest, inter-est, in view of his promise to try to have the bill put through, he said; "I could not get the consent of my colleague, Senator Parker, who was opposed to it. and Mayor Ferry also thought the time was inopportune for action. The argument was used, among others, that a man who is loyal is more desirable than one who is highly competent but likely to be disloyai. I tried my best, without success, for it was useless to introduce it in the senate without the support of m colleague, col-league, so I advised that tho bill b-introduced b-introduced in the house and thus be brought to the senate. This was done Representative Campbell introduced the bill. It was reported favorably out of committee but died on the floor Headless Ballot Dies. "Yes, the much-desired headless, non-partisan ballot bill died, despite our best efforts. Men from the south were opposed to it for various reasons. It passed the senate unanimously and was killed in the house, where all kinds of queer objections were raised against it, "The $100,000 appropriation for the world's fair is, of course, a victory of importance for Ogden. Aid for Ogden Veteran. "I was much gratified by the passage pass-age of the bill granting an allowance ot $1.50 to William II. Jenne of Ogden, Og-den, veteran of the Black Hawk Indian In-dian war. In 1860 he was commissioned commission-ed to take some beef cattle to the Warhakio Indians as a peace offering. In the course of his duties his hor.-e fell and broke Mr. .Tonne's leg. It had to be amputated twice, above and below be-low the knee. My first bill went through the senate and was killed in the house. A southern member thought the beneficiary was a man nampfl Ipti uu ,ucu , ..jjvsui auirw. ii was a case of mistaken identity. I introduced another bill through the impropriation committee and explained explain-ed how tho first bill was misunderstood. misunder-stood. It went through unanimously. Mr. Jenne never asked for any help until four years ago. He was too proud to ask for relief as long as he tould work and eke out a living. His triends finally asked for this modr ist allowance in recognition of his heroic services." "How many or your bills were lost in the senate?" was asked. "Not one in the senate," he replied, "though two or threo were killed in the house ." Senator Chez added that the mass of legislation was very good, he thought, fairly keeping the pledges of the Democratic party. The measures reviewed above are only a few of the most important, representing rep-resenting the maximum achievements of the legislature. |