Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-08-04
THE COMMISSION AGAIN.

The Utah Commission has been treated
heretofore by all parties as sort of divine
institution, to criticize which was sacri-
legious. When it was instituted there
was much talk of the great work it was
going to do, and such being the expecta-
tions concerning it, the compensation for
the Office was raised from what it first
was to what it now is, namely, five thou
sand dollars per year, that the services OF
men of distinction and eminent abilities
might be obtained. Men who had occupied
high places of honor and trust we're Sc
cured, but to have occupied place Of
honor and trust is not an absolute war
rant of superior worth and ability. But at
best the duties of the Commission
are but clerical and the labors nominal,
and could be as well if not better done
by the Governor and Secretary with the
aid of the Probate Judge of each county
when acting for the different counties. Not
only could it so be done, but the expense
would be nothing as compared with the
present expense. But these are argu-
ments looking to the abolition OF a useless
and expensive concern, while at present
our object is to speak Of it as it is and the
manner in which it has performed its
work.
The first work the Commission did was
to revise the voting list, and to strike
from off it the names of all who
had ever at any time been in
polygamY; and they also pre-
scribed an ironclad test oath for all
to take. This was the first work
of the Commission from which
so much was expected. They did it
very thoroughly and very competently,
so far as their understanding went, but
the Supreme Court of the United States
undid this thorough work OF the Utah
Commission, and many hundreds whom
the Commission prescribed were restored
to their rights. After this the Commits
sion suggested form of oath to deter
mine voters right and qualification to
register Thus far there have been no
complaints In the selection of regis
tration officers the Commission have not
always been SO happy as could have been
wished, but this was owing TO the fact
that the members were distinguished men
from the East and were not acquainted
with the people. But what is the
last act of the Commission which
goes to prove their incompetency
to perform even the nominal duties of
tbo r1ic4r On July 10Th a convention
OF he Peoples party was held in this
cay and nominations for the various
officer who were voted for yesterday were
made. Among those nominated was Mr.
w. W. Ritter for Representative to the
legislature On July 9Oth the Utah
Commission rromulgated Order No. /,
appointing a board to canvass the returns
of the general ele ton which was held
YESTERDAY. Among those SO appointed
was Mr.. w. W. Ritter, the same gentle.
man who was nominated on July 10Th for
q Representative to the Legislature.
What excuse can the Commission offer
in extenuation OF such an act-an
act that was violation of the
very genius Of -,merican institutions?
Mr.. Ritter was put in nomination
by his party eleven days before he was
appointed member of the Board of
Canvassers. Do not such things look
strange? If it is sai6 that the Commits
sion forgot or did not know that Mr..
Ritter was a candidate, they are incom-
petent from fault of memory and improper
attention to affairs but if it is said that
they knew Mr.. Ritter and knew him
to be an honest and competent
man, then they are incompetent from
q lack OF appreciation OF the genius
of American institutions, and have not
learned that no man is fit to be a judge
in his own case. In whatsoever way the
matter may be looked at, it is plain that
the Commission ignored a semblance of
decency in a matter that cannot be too
well guarded Would they have people
presume that with themselves to watch
over all, nothing could possibly be amiss,
and that their greatness and goodness
would absolve all things with which
they may have to do from the taint
of suspicion? Such doings cast
reflections and suspicious upon the men
who sanction such proceedings in other
States and Territories, and for what rea-
son should the Utah Commission receive
immunity from like reflections and sus-
picions?
1t has been said that the President is /
dissatisfied with the Commission, and !
surely such things as the appointing OF a
candidate for Office as a member of the .
Returning Board which is to canvass the .
votes cast for all candidates will fully war
rant the Presidents dissatisfaction
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AN OFFENSIVE PARTISAN.