The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-01-28
ENCOURAGING SIGNS.

The ward conventions on Tuesday even
ing were a revelation to the Democrats
themselves. 1t was known that the party
was growing, Notwithstanding there had
not been very energetic work lately. There
has been activity in a quiet way. and the
local club organizations have been increas
ing in membership. EX-members Of the
defunct Peoples party who did not declare
themselves at the election last summer,
have since been studying the principles OF
the two national parties with great profit
to themselves and the Democracy. Then
good many men who have hitherto
trained in the Liberal ranks have latterly
seen the unwisdom of longer continuing
that organization which must live, if at all,
on dead issues; strife and turmoil, and
have quietly withdrawn from active partl-
cipation N its councils.
The attendance at the conventions was
astonishing even to the Democracy, and
those most familiar with the rank and file
No such demonstration was expected. The
halls were crowded. in some instances to
inconvenience, and at every convention
except one there were scores of faces not
heretofore seen in Democratic gatherings.
Gentlemen who had not hitherto worked
outside the Liberal fold were active par
Elephants in the proceedings, and when
questioned in the matter said they were
done with Liberalism which at most could
not survive the year.
This is highly encouraging and inspires
the party with hope that Notwithstanding
the frightful odds with which it goes into
| this contest in spite Of the disadvantages
under which it must labor, and regardless
of the frauds and crookedness practiced by
the enemy, the city may be rescued and re-
deemed. 1t is true, perhaps, that some Of
this sudden thrush of the unexpected may
be accounted for in the weakness of the
Liberal ticket. That ticket has disguised
a great many members of the party, who
see in it the clever manipulation
of the bosses, and apprehend that
with such council at this critical
period of the city's career, dire disaster
would befall the town. Intelligent mer
realize how great is the danger at this time
and how essential it is that both ability
and honesty should be at the helm to guide
things Alright and avoid collapse. Al
enormous debt has been incurred; the Dor
rowing power of the corporation ha!
reached very close to the legal limit; the
taxes have been increased to point to q
beyond which would arouse a popular
storm amounting almost to revolt; heavy
financial contracts have been entered into
altogether the situation is so desperate a
to excite apprehension and alarm in thos
who have the welfare of the city at heart
We say that it may be the outlook il
such as to alarm some of tn
: property owners among the Liberal
who see in the party nomination
anything but the material necessary t
grapple with the problem which is pre-
scented. Some may have come out of tn
party named as an act of self-protection
realizing that it is not time to let sent
: ment run away with wisdom, the crisi
/ being one demanding the exercise of tn
very best judgment of men. But TIL
HERALD interprets the remarkable demon
STATIONS on Tuesday evening as shown
: an honest growth of the Democracy. Tn
party is steadily gaining followers by rea
son of its principles, which are in harmon
Will Ihe lucas VI tue people nereaOouts
To US the story told is that this is Demo
: cratic community, and the city is destine
to come under Democratic control, prob,
bly, next month, and certainly at the cleo
L succeeding that on February 8.
The attendance at the conventions ha
encouraged the Democrats more than any
: thing else which has happened to go int
this campaign with the expectation {
winning.