Omaha daily bee., 1889-09-29

seized comprises the houses OF Brigham =
widows, including Amelia's palace, which
is now rented to a Mormon; the Gardo
house, the Bee Hive and the Tithlng house.
The transfer of the vast wealth of the
church to corporations and trustees Will ma
terially assist the final collapse. The younger
and more energetic element growing up in
the faith do not relish the change. They see
in II a we'll planned scheme to increase the
wealth of the leaders at the expense OF the
producers. The church cannot reclaim
this property, for the moment it would do
30 the government could seize it. 1t becomes
the property of the trustees and their own
ershlp cannot be disturbed by any process OF
law. The rank and file, the 'heWers of
wood and drawers of water" must put their
trust in the bishops and apostles, and with the
symptoms of disruption and dissolution vlsi-
BILE in the present organization, IL is certBin
that these trusted leaders will in the end re-
tain what the church transferred TO them
without a consideration.
1t is unfortunate for the prosperity of the
city that 1t is governed by a class. 1t has
the elements OF a great city in abundance. A
charming location, hedged in by lofty noun
tains rich in mineral wealth, a valley of I'M
surpassed fertility, a climate cool in summer
and moderate in winter, and the Great Salt
Lake for recreation and amusement. Even
in its present shabby condition it is attrac-
tive. Its streets are 1856 feet wide, and out.
side of the business district are fringed with
naples and the tall, graceful poplars. Mule
power and electricity are active rivals for
street car travel. The motor poles are set in
the middle Of the street and the wires car
rled on bracket arms. Telegraph poles as
well as lamp posts occupy the middle of resi-
dence streets. This is an Improvement on
the methods in vogue 10 other western cities.
1t does not interfere with travel on account
of the unusual width of the streets, and
gives firemen free access to buildings in the
performance of their duties.
But much remains to be done to secure for
Salt Lake City the commercial power which
its position commands. An active, progress.
sive city government is the first essential.
The Mormons own fifteen of the twenty
millions of taxable property in the city.
They own the bulk OF factories, the street
car lines, the water works and control all
the offices. They oppose all movements for
the general good that do not originate with
the church. They cannot afford to encour-
age the investment of outside capital, orin-
duce eastern business men to settle here be-
cause it would increase the gentle siren 9Th.
They obslruct local Improvement because the
cost would fall largely on the church. Not
withstanding these drawbacks there is "a
moderate real estate boom in progress.
Several fine business blocks are going up,
and there is a confidence visible, especially
among the g%entiles, that the city is on the
threshold of Il great revival.
A change from Mormon to gentle govern
inent would revolutionize the growth OF both
the city and the territory. The strength of
the former is overwhelming in the country,
and there are no visible sigma of an early
change. In the cities, however, Mormon
power is disintegrating. Ogden was wrested
from Mormon power last spring, and has in
less than a year been transformed into a
b%uStling, progressive city. In the county
election last month the gentiles OF this city
cast 2,OS6 votes against 2,O45 by the Nor
mons but the county vote overwhelmed this
majority of forty-one with 900 votes and
elected the entire Mormon or ''people's''
tlcKet. Two years ago the gentle vote was
only 1887 while the Mormons cast 2, az, a gain
OF liY for the former and a loss OF III for
the church. the strength displayed by the
gentlles was as surprising to themselves as
IL was mOrtlfylng TO the Mormons, and fore
shadows the rout of the church at the muicl-
pal election to be held next February. Both
sides are already actively preparing for that
contest. The battle will be a desperate one.
II the church eau be prevented from colon
izing voters in the city, It's defeat IS assured,
No gentle voter will be absent from the city
on that day, and with the increasing number
OF disaffected young Mormons anxious TO
ally themselves ia the progressive lement,
the full strength of the party will be polled,
The success Of the Mornons in that cleo
ton will not materially delay the winding
up of the church. Founded on superstitions,
II cannot withstand the waves OF intelligence
and activity rolling In upon IL. Its doom is
sealed, From tue moment Brigham Young's