Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-02-27
THE LITE CONTEST.

Pi5lic Opinion for February End
contains large number of selec-
tons from comments made by
newspapers and writers upon the
late municipal election in this city.
In nearly all Of them is displayed a
feeling of satisfaction at the result,
ami disposition to ignore the
crimes by which it was reached.
The authors Of these comments evil
IDENTIFY labor under the impression
that "Mormonism" has been struck
a staggering blow, and they rejoice
accordingly. Many of them, in
distinct language, describe the de-
feat Of the Peoples Party as the
doom Of the "MOrmon'' Church,
and express congratulations accord
ingly. When at length it shall
dawn upon these scribes that the
mormon" Church. as a religious
body, was in no way injured by
the result Of the contest, how dis
appointed they will be. Yet this is
precisely the fare that awaits their
present exuberant authorizations.
The "Mormon" Church can no
more be affected by the vicissitudes
of local politics than can the Cath
ole, Methodist, or any other de-
nomination; probably not as much.
The worst feature, because the
most ominous to the welfare Of the
country, which is observable in these
press comments upon the election
here, is the disposition to condope
or overlook the crimes against the
franchise by which was attained the
result which gives so much satisfac- |
ton. The Macon, Georgia, TeLe- |
graph is one Of the papers which !
cannot understand how the "City of |
the Saints" was so suddenly trans. !
formed into a community majority
Of which were Gentiles, and makes
the following remarks:
What Is the best possible explara-
ion Of the Mormon defeaty The Nor
mons themselves say they were
beaten by fraud-that thew were
cheated out Of their rights-and will
or years be in the power OF their re-
entless enemies because the Judges
vii refuse Them Justice in the courts
ust as the election officers refused
hem fair dealing at the polls. They
Ssume that the courts will be unjust.
course. but they descend to particu-
n facts in dealing with the frauds.
nd really seem 20 make out a prettv
ood case. Now, nobody sympa-
hzes with the Mormon Church in
us part Of the country. I. ,
verybody outside of Utah rejoieas :
lat the Mormon power has sustained S
hat looks like a crushing blow. But
by is II that we hear no angry ont
les from the republican press over
e exclusion of the majority from
over in Salt Lake City. nor 4
'ainst the patent fraud apd /
justice involved in the su. G
emacy OF small minority of The o
'pulation over the msjority7 There y
yer occurred in the Southern States v
election the result of which was so y
ihcult TO explain satisfactorily. The v
ormons are not negroes nor ex- al
ives. They are not peculiar because al
their limidity and lack Of organizing n
ility. On the contrary, they are as 81
Ute as their opponents, have the u'
ergy and ability that were needed =
create an empire in the wilderness. ~
knew they were fighting for ex- ct
nee. We do not call on Copgre.s l.
investigate this election, for we are frl
fecily satisfied with the result. and W
not in the habit Of calling for Con- te
ssional investigations any way: bnt ~,
seems TO us that the Republican of
S. IS bound to do so If it has anv vi
Sc Of The beauty OF consistency. A Of
ority OF white Mormons has as ia
ch right to control in Utah as has a ny
ority OF black Republicans in Mis- ~, nj
lppi. In fact, il they have intelI- III
ce and q lively interest in public tia
Irs, they have more"
be remark that "There never oc-
ed in the Southern States an -
ton, the result of which was 50 I
cult to explain satisfactorily. - yei
'esses a volume. In that region 'o !.
ten described by the Republican the
; as the home Of buIldozing and mis-
nidation, Of ballot-box stufiur -
election frauds, the counterpart e..
he "Liberal" tactics which ren,
ed the day here was never was
yn. 80 .resu
'e monotoDy with which the nm III,
iction is reiterated that the cleo a n
viii surely prove death blow that
dormonism," is slightly varied a ao
lie following from the Boston e.,