The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-02-12
THE DEMEN r PLAN.
Some Fatherly Advice for the Self
made Reformer.

It's quite possible that Mr.. r. s. De
ment has overshot his mark. Re;no
ANXIOUS to insure his confirmation as
Suryeyor-General of Utah he set about
creating the impression that he was
loaded with dynamite ana liable to ex.
piode If not well used and bumored in
his Official longings. 1t is highly prob
able that he could have been confirmed
without trouble if he had taken no
extraordinary measures 10 make sure of
1t. Neither of the Senators from the
state from which he halls, Illinois, had
shown any disposition to antagonize
him, and Senatorial courtesy was
likely to bear him serenely on TO the
haven OF his ambition, but now he has
chosen to raise an issue which shOuld
result either in his ignominious retire.
ment to private life or lit him to the
very highest pinnacle as an administra-
tive reformer.
hr. Dement, made himself the hero of
the hour for few days at Washington
by claiming to have uneartted gigan-
TIC sWlndle. having Utah as its base but
embracing Senator's and Congressman.
lobbyists, and Others at Washington
and elsewhere. # he could be nj all
believed the Credit Mobilier scandal was
a mere bonfire OF shavings as compared
to the temple which this Ephesian
youth was about to cons1gn to the re-
morseless flames. Senator Logan. into
whose ears the tale was partly poured.
took the young man, so lately consti-
tuent, to the Commissioner of the Land
Office, according to the report. that he
might unfold his narrative to his chief
under the favoring auspices OF Sena-
torial introduction. For several DAYS
jenkins had his ear trained on Dement,
to catch with eagernesS his lightest'
whisper. Instead of confirming his own
charges ne took to denying them, or at
Least tGning them down very precep-
tbly. This somewhat suspicious course
on hisspaTt led to inquiry, which devel-
oped the fact that about ali the record
Dement, has to go on in Illinois is that
OF a Springfield lobbyist. small caliber
and smooth-boTe at that. The Inter
Ocean instructed its Springfield CORES
pondent to give the facts, without gloss
or color, enc way or the other, and the
portrait painted surely bears no resenl-
blance to the ideal reformer.
The strong probability is that Mr..
Dement thought to cloak himself with
false garment OF reform in the expec-
tatlon that the Senate would not dare
to reject his appointment lest it be ac-
cused OF sitting investigation and pre-
venting exposure. 1t was a species of
boycotting which was attempted. That,
we say, seems to be the explanation.
The real facts viii soon disclose them
selves, and if tins explanation proves to
be the correct one, then certainly the
Senate should have the manlineSs to
reject his name. Every genuine re-
former, whatever his line, should be
most warmly supported. but no attempt
to overawe the Senate by the stimulation
OF reform should be tolerated. the DIS
covery of an ass beneath the lions skin
very properly led to the rending asunder
OF the simulator. 1t might as well be
understood from the first that the
Senate cannot be intimidated BY threats
of any kind. The blackmailer is always
odious and his encouragement is never
excusable, whether his scale of opera
tons be large or small, aud the price he
demands for silence be money or Office. |
If Mr.. Dement, or any other man, no |
matter who, where, or what, knows of !
any crookedness in public affairs let him |
expose it fearlessly. 1t is one of the
for the general misfor-
tune of a Democratic administration
that an opportunity is given for politi-
cal enemy to examine into the official
record of the Republican party in all
matters of National administration. 1t
would be all wrong for the Senate to i'm
pede investigation. or show in any way
the slightest trepidation. 1t is now
nearly year since the new administra-
ton took the reins of government, and
so far the only scandal developed is the
Pan-electric Telephone ring, which is
wholly confined to the democracy and
to this administration. Without any
wis to PREJUDICE Attorney Gar
and, Secretary Lamar, or any of the
rest, we would respectfully suggest that
# Mr. Dement, really wants to distin-
guish himself as a detective. he would
10 well to take his own party for the
ield of his explorations.-Inter Ocean.