The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-08-03
TEE CITY AUGMENTATION.


THE HERArp does not regard the moral
ity meeting Ia Wasatch hall on Monday
evening as either suggestive or significant
Il afforded certain gentlemen an opportun-
ity 70 publicly decisim against evils which
are known 70 exist in this city, and 10 de-
clare they were in favor Of the enforce
meat Of the law. AS some OF these same
gentlemen were particularly active two
years and more ago in tie work Of INSTALL
ing the party which 10 responsible for the
lax administration OF the law, as they
knew then that the very elements of So
ciety which they now denounce were their
most formidable and influential assistants
, in that exciting campaign, as after two
years of an administrator which was as
disgraceful as any that ever afflicted
civilized city. most OF the time the decent
citizens living in Rbiect terror, these same
gentlemen worked diligently to keep the
same political party in power, the same
immoral and evil elements as before being
their chief ally in the struggie-we say
that in the light Of all this the meeting can
hardly be regarded as meaning Very much.
THE HERALD has said, and it repeats that
il believes Mayor BAsKIS's ambition is to
give this city y good administration. We
also have confidence in. Captain PAUL's
honesty. ability and integrity as chief Of
police. We think both these gentlemen
want to leave behind them, when they re-
tire from Office, q record OF which they and
their friends will be proud. At the same time
there is a widespread doubt that they will
succeed. They will not fail through lack OF
support By the city council, for while some
members of the municipal legislature may
not think it well that Salt Lake should be
moral and well governed city, the major
lty Of that body, we are certain, will sus-
tain the mayor and his chief Of police in
proper efforts to wisely administer the
law. Nor will failure follow on account OF
lack Of moral support on the part of the
better element Of the community. That
elem ant, without regard to politics or party
will stand by the mayor in all he may at
tempt to do TO correct the administration
and improve the municipal gov
eminent The apprehension that his
bonor viii not succeed comes from the
fact that he owes his Office to the very class
lie must antagonize il he gives US good ad-
A@AAtShA alADus 4n6 Bt5S u blc phEt1 Wu1Cu
placed MIR. BAsKIN at the head OF the city
government, has said publicly that be con-
suited the gamblers and the saloonkeepers,
as well as the preachers, in the campaign.
Without the aid of the saloon men and the
gamblers, the boss could never have handed
the mayoralty over to Mr.. BAsKIN, and in
this fact lies the danger to the mayors ad-
ministration. We don't believe the mayor
made any ante election pledges to the sell
ers Of whisky or the keepers Of gambling
houses, but we do know that every time he
shuts up Sunday saloon or closes a gam
bling den, be antagonizes and alienates
good many OF his party following.
If Mayor BAsKIN is strong enough, if he
has the courage to rise above party, he viii
give Us good administration, and viii re-
ceive the paudits of those whose praise
should be .courted. If be is lacking ia that
courage, il he permits himself to be swayed
and bossed by the men to whom he owes his
election, his government will be failure
in spite of his honest desire to have it clean
and respectable. tits for the mayor him
self TO decide.