The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-11-30
BUSINESS MEN AND POLITICS.

1t is a rare occurrence that a man of
affairs is found in politics. There are not
a few business men who do not even take
the trouble to vote Most of them are
members of political parties, and for cam
paign purposes they contribute more or
less generously to the funds for the neces-
sary expenses; but when it comes to active
participation in political affairs they count
themselves out. They wish the party well,
but have neither time nor inclination to
help it along by their influence and effort.
A business man will refuse office ten times
| before he will accept. His excuse is lack
of time, or that he cannot afford to antago-
nize any considerable faction in the COM
munity, because that might iniure him in
his business. The result is that the politics
of the country is managed by an impractical
class of citizens, and the Offices are held
largely by professional politicians.
We are not speaking of Utah, but
of the nation at large. 1t is
probably true that in Utah more than in
any other section business men take office,
though here as elsewhere these gentlemen
are not active in political work. They sit
back and look on, while others perform the
labor and it too often happens that when a
merchant or banker or other business man
accepts an Office he gives little attention to
it, his attention being taken up by his own
affairs.
1t is greatly to be regretted that the solid,
substantial men of every community do
not come to the front IN politics and, driv-
ing the political manipuIators and the
| o1ce- seeking class TO the lelr, take control
of public affairs. If they would do this
there would be less iobbery in Congress
and legislative assemblies and the laws
would be nearer what they should be;
there would be greater vigor and more
system in the administration of the
statutes; in fact, business methods instead
of political methods would be applied to
the business of government.
At the dinner OF the New ork chamber of
commerce last week both Ex-Minister
PHELPS and Ex-President CLEVELAND
spoke on this matter, and both urged bust
ness men to take active interest in public
affairs and to accept such offices of public
trust as may come in their way. The old
political maxim, measures, not men," did
not please PHELPS who said he did not be-
lieve it was sound. Said he: 81 think the
first need of good government, like the
first need of large business corporation,
is the right men to administer it." Con-
tinuing in the same line he said 1T
seems to me that the time has come when
the true allies of good government, who do
not live by politics, nor follow for re-
ward should leave for awhile their count
ing houses and their merchandise for the
sake of their country. Differ as you may
upon theories and measures. Range as
you will under this party or that. But
first of all, as a condition precedent to
national life that is worth living and worth
fighting for, give US men in the places Of
public trust, great and small"
Mr. CLEVELAND was equally clear and
pointed. Here is portion of what he said:
81 know that participation in the public
service would involve an interruption of
your ordinary vacations, but is it not your
duty to suffer this for the sake of the good
you can accomplish! Nor is this subject
devoid of an inducement based upon self
interest, for you must agree with me that
business men upon congressional commit
tees or upon the floor of Congress could
accomplish much more in the direction of
their own protection than by periodically
seeking admission TO committee rooms, or
awaiting the convenience of legislators
who need their instruction. l cannot be
mistaken when l say that some dangers
which beset our political life might be
avoided or safely met if our business men
would more actively share in public affairs,
and that nothing would better befit the
character and objects of our organization
than practical movement in this direc-
tion."
These two gentlemen have had experience
and they know of what they speak. We
all know that the prosperity and growth of
country depend largely upon the mer-
chants, the bankers and the practical men
Of business, and this being true it stands to
reason, the government, whether local or
national, being business organization, it
would be better managed if clear headed,
successful business men were interested in
politics. True, it will require the making
of a sacrifice, but do not the men referred
to owe it to the public to make that sacri-
ficel