The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-09-08
A GOOD BEGINNING.


The news comes from Wyoming that
the authorities of Sweet Water County,
in which the massacre Of Chinese occur
red last week, have taken action look
ing to the punishment of the men who
were guilty of the cruel butchery. Many
of the leaders of the mob have been ar
rested and confined in Jail, where they
are to await trial on the charges OF
murder and riot. This is as it should
be; and is the only way IN which our
neighbor Territory can relieve itself
from the terrible disgrace that has been
put upon it by few mad and malicitu
men. The arrest should be followed
by the vigorous prosecution and certain
punishment of the miScreants, even ii
it should cost Wyoming the lives OF
some members of her Legislature, one
of whom is among the gang in the
Green River Jail. The Legislature Is no
place for a man vino can deliberately
advise the slaughter Of human beings in
cold blood, and no more so for one who
can lead in muir ferrous assault upon the
inofensiye and unprotected. Persons
who entertain s. little regard for laws
ought not to me- them.
1t will be interesting to watch the
course of the officials in this matter.
Their position is a peculiar one, and if
they perform their whole duty faith
fully they viii prove themselves worthy
they occupy. One main reason why
the Chinese have so few friends among
the officials and politicians is that the
former tlke no interest in the politics of
the country, and do not vote. If they
would become citizens and could be led
to the polls by demagogues, we would
hear less said against them; Indeed, in
stead of being abused and maltreated,
the laws would be enforced for their
protection as faithfully as they are tor
the protection of the mcbs that now
attack the poor Mongolians almost
with impunity; the sobriety, industry
and economy of the Chinese, instead of
being denounced IS crimes against
society, would be commended and APP
plauded as the virtues that they are.
In Wyoming. as elsewhere, the men who
persecute the Chinese vote, whether
honestly or eOrruptly it matters
not; they control in politics and can
elect or defeat a candidate for office
Hence the peculiar position of the
officials at this time II they enforce
the law, they must PUNISH the men who
put them in Office and who can prevent
their continuance in office; if they per-
NIT the criminals to escape, they are
gaining the friendship and support ole
an element that can be utilized in future,
and doing injustice only to q lot of
Chinese who cannot be turned to ad-
vantage. We hope for the sake of the
west the Wyoming officials can and will
see only their sworn duty in this case,
and that justice viii be meted out to the
guilty.
Another gratifying piece of informa
LAOl- ID tnO AtbS0 lA60 tlO lAAAf1CAS NUN
this Territory had nothing to do with
the massacre. Notwithstanding the
runner that was circulated few days
ago to the effect that some of the men
from Utah had been induced to take
part IN the murderous business--a
story which THE HERALD doubted . the
time-the miners from here took no
part in the affair. Their conduct re-
fleets credit upon themselves and their
social teaching. 1t is possible that
some, if not all OF them. win be com
PEELED to leave Wyoming owing to the
bitter feeling prevailing against the
Chinese, but if the officials in our
neighbor Territory perform their whole
duty lawlessness even against Chine,e
will be made odious. and the law-abid-
ing be welcomed and protected by them