Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-01-08
THE POPULAR LOCAL TOPIC.

the right 10 elect their local officers Is
naturally causing great deal Of dis
cussion. Thisis all right. Everybody
should get at the intent and purport OF
the hill, and n they ind defects In u,
or discover that IT, object IL wrong and
that its passage would work any injury
TO the Territory, they should show up
the evil intelligently 30 that others may
see with them and join IL endeavoreto
defeat II.
But violent general donuucistlons OF
the scheme, assaults upon the men who
are credited with It's preparation, at.
tempts TO make II appear IA Of "Mor-
mon" origin, aud ali the rant and roar
ing that certain 'piberals" indulge In
because OF their hostility TO anything
that does not promise to feather their
nests, are. virtually arguments In favor
of the proposition.
We confess that we are not In any
raptures over this halfway measure OF
political liberty. We agroe,in the main,
with the sentiments Of both Republic
cans and Democrats IA well ms some
conservative "Liberals," that state
hood would be preferable 10 this unique
piece OF special legislation. II Utah
has arrived at n condition which rem.
ders her NJ for local self. governmont,
why not grant II ut once7 That seems
10 be the most rational view OF tho
question.
However, we are not urging state.
hood at present. Although we believe
that In every respect, without n single
exception, the Territory Is fully entitled
to admission and il 1T for the responsi.
blritles aud duties Of n soveroi2n State,
we are aware OF the preJudices that
exist, aud the doubts that linger Ia the
popular mind. aud we are In no hurry
To press the claims Of Utah upon Con.
gress or tho country. We think we
can all afford to walt awhile for the
liberty that ls sure to come.
But this hill does not mean
statehood. II does not liberato
the Territory from that Federal
control which "Liberals" at home
and Enormous" abroad al.
lege to he necessary. Itslmply gives
the voting citizens OF Utah power TO
elect the officers Of the Territory who
are now appointed without their choice
or consent. II abolishes the Utah
Commission, but what difference
would that make, except thsta useless
expense would he saved TO the Govern.
ment, aud an unrepublioan excrescence
would be removed from the body
polite? Is there anybody here who
sincerely believes the Commission IL Of
the least real Use or benefit. or that the
services II performs cou ID not be rem.
dered at less than one tenth the
present costg
Surprising the bill should pass, which
we think very unlikely, what would
he tine results to tho non "AIormon"
population Of the Territory Would the
Church be given any more power than
II possesses today? II no we cannot see
what II would be. The contest would
be between the Democrats and the
Republicans, and unless the "Liberal"
faction dissolved, the Democrats would
gain possession OF most OF tho offices.
With the dissolution ofthat faction the
Republican vote would be greatly
increased, there Is no telling to what
extent, because there Is yet great
number Of late Peoples party voters
who have not cast In their lot with
either OF the national parties.
We believe that the Democrats favor
this measure, largely because tn ey see
good chance In II to hold control OF
the Territory and shape It for u Demu.
cratic State. We believe the Glib
erals" are 40 violently opposed to It and
mlsreprcsent 1t no flagrantly, be.
cause they see In 1t the certain
end OF their faction, without delay.
Ina territorial election they hold no
prominence. They could not elect
single officer. They would have to
divide ami their organization would
collapse. The rampant leaders aud
those who proiltby Its continuance are,
OF course, furious over measure that
threatens their discontinue.
II the opponents OF statehood who
base their objections on the ground that
Federal control OF the Territory must
not at present be rellnqulshed
were sincere, they would hail
this bill with delight. For, while
II gives to the people some
semblsnce to republican form Of
government, II yet leaves the National
Government all the"supreme CONTROL"
the "absolute sovereignty" and the
right to make such "rules and regula,
tions respecting the Territory" which
It IL claimed Is vested In the Federal
power by the Constitution. In this to
uB Hes It's chief objection, but why
our opponents should object TO It is
difficult TO determine, on any other
hypothesis than their otter insinccrlty
and their determination to fight any
thing that does not promise to put the
"Libera' bosses In control OF Utah.
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AN EXHIBITION OF FOLLY.