The National tribune., 1886-12-23
A UNIQUE JOURNAL.

remarkable developments in American
journalism. Nowhere else can there be found /
live, vigorous, thriving paper, first-class in
every respect, flOurishing in community |
where four out of five of the people are in |
bitter hostility to it. The feeling that !
exists between the MOrmOns and Gentiles
in Utah is as bitter rs the old hatred of the
shareholders for anybody who would not
bow down to slavery, and the Salt Lake
City Tribune is regarded in Salt Lake just
as the New York Tribune was regarded in
Richmond, Va, in 1860 1t takes good care
to deserve this opinion of its neighbOrs, and
its daily assaults upon the theory and prac-
tices of Mormonism are characterized by I'M
tagging vigor and terrible logic.
The Mormons being in the immense ma
jority, not only in Salt Lake City but in
Utah, with hierarchy that rules everything
with The rod of an iron despotism, the ques-
ton is natural, How does such paper live
and flourish as it unquestionably dOesP
In the first place it has little competition.
The Salt Lake City Herald, which is its
competitor, is church organ, and being run
just as the priesthood directs, is not much of
paper and has no patronage outside of the
Church The Gentiles who are the active,
driving, business men of Utah and Idaho,
are very proud of the Tribune, as they
should be, and give it an enthusiastic sup
port. 1t has daily circulation of about
5000, which is much better than many daily
papers in much more propitious surround
ings, and this, with its fine job Office, give it
n very profitable business. The paper has
curious history. Away back in the years
succeeding the war the question came up of
| developing the mining wealth which was then
known to exist in Utah. Brigham Young
was strongly opposed to opening the mines,
for he feared the effect that the rush of gold
seekers would have upon the Church. at
will bring a rush of hellhounds down upon
u.s." he would say, and repeat the afflict-
ions of our people, from which the Lord
once delivered US" A portion of the Nor
mons who were equally Levout with the rest
felt constrained to differ from this view of
Brigham's. They said, with caution, The
richness which the Lord has planted in this
country, chosen for His saints, belongs to
them, and He intended that it should be used
for their benefit. 1t is wrong to hide our
talents in a napkin and not use them for our
own benefit and His greater glory" A
paper which these men were then running
as Literary magazine, expressed these views
and was warned by the priesthood that such
dissent was not to be tolerated. The editors
persisted. At their head was Colby, man
of some education and ability. Behind him
was Henry Lawrence, prominent bushes,
man and one of Brigham Young's most
trusted advisers. Godby reiterated his firm
|
prophet, and in his revelations from God, bu
he insisted that, in regard to the mines anC
other temporal matters, there might be /
chance for a mistake; that the revelations
which Brigham Young had thought he haC
, received from the Lord on the subject wer,
possibly misapprehended, and that anothe
interview with the Deity might show
} change of opinion. This the priesthoOt
strenuously combated, and insisted tina
Brigham Young was infallible in the small
l est as well as the greatest matters. He wa
competent, even, said they, to direct an oil
e woman how to set stocking on the knittin
S needles. The dispute resulted along, abou
e 1877 in Colby and Lawrence, and with thos
e who sided with themi being excommunieateo
n They headed a schism of the church wit
T Godby as an opposition prophet to Brigham
e He received revelations and made proph,
s cies with quite as much success as the su,
d cessor of Joe Smith. and. the GOdbyites, {
d they were called at one time, seemed in
&c fair way to become the stronger part of IL
is Church. Finally, the movement lost i
ie force and the prominent men in it drifle
IL off into spiritualism, In the meantime IL
rs Salt Lake City Tribune was rapidly GROWTH
y and was supported by the Gentiles and Il
al Apostles. After a long struggle, in whiC
II, money was lost quite freely, it began to
ID paying property and passed into the han'
ne of its present owners-Hon. C. c.. Goodwi
TO the editor; Patrick Lannan, the busine
manager, and Mrs. o. ]. Hollister, which
e. an excellent combination. Judge Goodw
of is delightful, lovable man of high cultul
c. and with few equals in the country as
en- graceful, forcible writer. Mr.. Lannan is Il
Mt steam-engine of the firm. A man of tirels
e- energy and fine business talents. He kee
tn everything in motion around him, and t
ss motion has o definite purpose in it.