16
STUDENT
LIFE
Legislation .J. S. QUNNEY
The stat us of society is measured, largely by its laws. The thought, words, feelings, and ambitions of society, and more especially of a people living under r~presentative form of government is, to a great extent, embodied in its laws. We shou ld, therefore, endeavor to maintain the highest standard of laws possible. In order that this be accomplished we must r,e.e to it that the representatives who frame our statutes be the very best men in the community , for it is not reasonable to expect that any but good men will make good laws. In Utah we are not serving legislat ion that entirely meets the needs of the state. There >1 re two prime reasons for th is In the first place, many of the men we chose as our representatives are not the most capable among us, and in the second piace, part of our legi slators do not maintain those high ideals that should accompany the re¡ sponsible position of law-making. It is generally ¡known thilt among our legislators there are those that .could be replaced by more efficient men. Too often is it the case that we send men to
the state capita l who have no knowledge of economics, political scienc e, sociology or history, ::di essential qualifications of a legislator. Just because a citizen is conscienious, diligent, vractical and well meaning, it does not follow, therefore, that he is fitted for the important task of legislation. These qualifications are absolutely essentia l, but he must also understand the lessons of past experience. He must possess the pc,wer to probe into existing conditions, ana lyze, diagnose and if needs be, remedy them. He must have vision so that he can anticipate the future and made adequate provision for it. When a citizen can fulfill all these requisites, then first, should he be nominated for t he Riate le.irislature. But, even though a person possessed all these attributes and failed in that crucial test, th e proper attitude toward his work, he shou ld never occupy a seat in the state legislative chamber. Wffat good is a legislator whose ideals are centered in "his personal welfare? He cannot act wisely or conservat ively, for the state's
