The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-01-22
UNFAIR CRITICISM.
UNFAIR CRITICISM.
The Attack Made upon
Springer by the
ILLINOIS STATE JOURNAL.
The Mormon Problem 10 not the only
Consideration for The Committee
On Territories.
To the Hdi. of THE HERALD.

To the Hdis of THE HERALD.
It would be amusing, if it were moi
impertiherce deserving censure, the
action. of certain politicians opposed to
Democrscy-in reference to the con-
duct Of, active partisans of the latter
party.
There are certain questions which
should be relegated to proper authority
to interfere with which by outside and
disinterested parties is species of med
ding not to be encouraged or even toll
Grated. OF course, I do not mean to
say that the action of all public men in
regard to public affairs are not open to
legitimate comment and just criticism,
for | recognize such privilege of COM
mens and of criticism as belonging to
the constituents of legislators and
others engaged in public affairs, but
such criticisms to be legitimate must be
fair, Just, and impartial. No man
should be held up to public censure ex-
cept when his personal acts render him
amenable 10 such cepsure. 70 falsely
charge a person with an odious act
which he has not committed, and upon
such false charge to inaugurate cru
SADIE against him is a So, CTS of Grim
NAL wickedness deserving the most
serious condemnation.
do not write these lines in defense
OF Congressman Springer against the
charges preferred against him, in a
newspaper article which lately appeared
in The Illinois State journal, and which
reads as follows:
1t is rather significant that the chief If
not ouly, opposition to compliance with the
wishes OF the law abiding citizens of Utah
and the adjacent Territories, should come
from Representative springer, OF this State
a former townsman OF Dubois, and a pro-
fessed fliend. The question is one in which
partisanship should not enter. yet Springer
is said to be using his influence to secur,
the appoin menJ of Joseph, the Democratic
delegate from New Mexico. in utter disre
gard of tho wishes Oh the anti Mormon citi-
Gems of Utah, Idaho. and Wyoming. Joseph
mas no we'll defined views On the Mormon
problem, and does not command the conf
dence OF the anti Mormon citizens of the
Territories a. dubois does, but this appar
emily makes no difference TO Springer who,
in spite OF his professed opposition to polyg-
amy, appears 10 be more anxious to prepare
the way for tue admission of new Mormon
State than to secure the welfare of The law.
abiding citizens of the Territories. Mr.
Spri gers course in this matter will be
closely watched by his constituents, not
merely on account of its effect upon a
former towDsman and well known CITIZEN.
but on acco. Mt of its bearing Upon aques-
ton of deep interestto the whole country.
In this extract, it is assumed that the
law-abidlng citizens of Utah and
adjacent Territories. desire the appoint
ment of Delegate Dubois of Idaho, to
place Oh the committe on Territories,
and Mr.. Springer was using his infu-:
ence to thwart the wishes of those law
abiding people. Upon what evidence
the Journal founded the assertion is not
stated, and is question which l am
unable to answer, and in regard to-
which L do not believe the Journal will
shed any light. ..
L am personally acquainted with
quite number of law biding people
in the Territories alluded TO, VINO did
not desire the appointment of Dubois,
but who, on the contrary, believe that
he is totally unfit to be a member of
that committee, and who would
deprecate such appointment had it been
made. II no other reason existed why
MIR. dubois should not occupy place
on that committee. the fact that con-
t1st exists between his Territory and
Washington Territory regarding the
boundaries between them is sufficient
to exclude him from it. However, those
citisepe did not beHeve it TO be their
province to dictate to the Speaker as to
the make up OF the COMMITTEES, neither
do they believe that the question is one
of 10 peculiar interest TO the Illinois
State Journal, consequently they look
upon it's attack on Mr.. Springer quoted
above, as impertinent, out OF place, and
smsuable to censure. Mr.. Springer
however, being u member OF Congress,
and OF the committee, it was his duty
as we'll as his privilege, to use any legit-
innate influence he might possess, in
securing competent and proper persons
to act with MIN in the discharge of the
duties of the committee; and if he b.
lisvsd that Dubois was not proper
person, and if he believed that ] seph
was proper person to go upon the
committee, it was his privIle sc to inul
cafe as much. There is no evidence
produced. however, TO prove that
So niger interfered in the matter n any
way, unless the assumption OF the
Journal can be taken as evidence.
But question presents itself in the
PREMISES: How GOES it happen and
why is it that the Illinois State Journal
assumes to represent the de ire OF law
hiding citizens of Utah? Upon what
authority does that paper state that
those citizens desired the appointment
of Dubois? One of the reasons given
why Mr.. Joseph should not be ap-
pointed on the committee is that he,
Joseph, has no we'll defined views on
the Mormon problem, and does not
command the confidence of anti-Mor-
mons"
Now, Is Dubois, on the contrary, has
well defined views on that question, he
has the confidence of the class of citi-
zens named, and is. therefore, as mat
ter of course, the better qualified to act
on the committee. Ui
| From this, one might infer that the
only question the committee on Terri
torres has to graphic with, is the Nor
| mon question.
In view of the application of several
of the Territories for admission to the
Union as States; to the question of the