The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-10-11
TO THE CRY DEMooRACE.

Our Democratic friends who clamor for
straight party ticket in the next NUM-
cipal election are, in our opinion, mis-
taken in their view and in their course.
Yet they are not altogether wrong in
reference to the principles and purposes
OF the party. Between Democracy and
Republicanism there are radical differ
ences. In a general way it might be
argued that they cannot be harmonized;
that one party must in the nature of
things be arrayed against the other. And
SO a Democrat, looking at the matter in
that light, may appear to be justified
in declaring. cpl never vote for Re-
publican
But that depends altogether on the
question involved and the issues at stake.
If there were a contention OF Democratic
and Republican doctrines; if there were g
contest between candidates of the two
parties; if the maintenance of either
party or some essential question were in
dispute, party determination and exclu-
Eiveness might be eminently proper.
But that is not the present situation.
Both parties are confronted with a
common peril. They are equally inter
ested in its suppression. The domination
OF the Liberal organization in this city is
inimical TO the public interest and hostile
as much to Democrats as to Republicans.
Neither regular party is at present nu.
merically strong enough alone TO over.
come the common enemy. Is IL moi, then
the part of wisdom for the two parties tc
join in the-ight and together obtain vic.
tory which they cannot achieve apart?
In such a union there will be no sacri-
fee of principle. 1t is not as Democrats OF
as Republicans that the candidates pro-
posed are to be voted for. They come be.
fore the citizens simply as citizens, recog.
nized By both parties as men worthy o.
public support, and trustworthy il Their
own business affairs. No party issue
figures in the process. No party question
is involved in the election. 1t is economy
against extravaganza, honesty against
corruption. responsibility against rowdy-
ism, the people as against faction.
a straight Democratic ticket could not
win if all tbc Del ocrats were to vote to.
gether. II great tudy of the members
of the Pc ~ have gnified their de.
sire to support a mingled ticket
that viii be sure to win if both
parties comsirs. me city convention
has decided not 10 put e Democratic
ticket in the field. That should be sig
nifcant enough for the body of the party
But of course if individual members
choose not to 60 with the majority they
have THEN liberty and can do as they
please. But they must not claim that they
are acting on the pure principles OF
Democracy, because one of these is that
majoritIes shall rule, and the majority
have spoken popularity and officially in
their convention.
A bolt from the decision of that ma
iority and that convention means aid
and comfort to the enemy. Every vote
for a straight Democratic ticket under
present circumstances means vote fol
the Liberal faction. 1t means vote Tor tn.
return to power OF the same crowd thai
putup the present end preceding city
authorities, who have been denounced il
SIS severe terms by the organ of theil
own faction as have been used by any
otLer disguised citizens. Will men O
intelligence and honor, who claim to Ds
Democrats, take such a course and hole
themselves up to the reprobation OF theii
own party2 We trust not.
This is not a new movement by any
means that has been inangurated fol
municipal reform. In many of the larger
cities it has been found absolutely essen
tial to the publication OF city govern
ment. 1t has worked well both in this
country and in others. In New Zealand
it had to be adopted, few years ago, and