The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-09-08
THE CITIZENS MOVEMENT.

The proceedings at the citizens meet
ing held on Wednesday night, are of
course, the subject of much comment.
While there are many people who object
to the selection of a nominating COM
mittee by so small an assembly, there is
strong feeling among the more thought
full and conservative that though this
may be objectionable as matter of senti-
ment and as precedent for future pro-
ceedings, after all it was the speediest
and most reliable method of going to the
root OF the matter.
It is of little use now to canvass the
names OF the committee of fifty or
speculate on their party. proclivities.
They have been chosen and accepted by
the meeting and duty is imposed upon
them which they are expectad to dis
charge to the best of their ability. Until
anything different appears it is to be pre-
sumed that they will act with fairness
and discretion, and with full intent to
carry out the wishes of the people of this
city who have joined hands for municipal
reform.
Until the ticket is formulated and pre-
i 1
wise selections are made of representative
men whose character and business ability
render them reliable and fit for the places
for which they may be nominated, there
appears at present no good reason why
the various parties and interests in this
city may not be united to accomplish
what is needed for the city's redemption.
But until the ticket is presented nothing
definite can be determined on.
The recklessness with which the money
OF the people has been squandered by the
| two Liberal city councils, and the
shameful expenditure of large sums
for no other purpose than to help
certain owners OF real estate to
market their property. are clearly
set forth in the report of
the citizens committee. Aud the fnan-
cial situation is plainly exhibited, show
! ing that double the income has been
spent for some time and the legal Dor
rowing limit is reached if OF run over to
a considerable extent.
The next city administration will have
a difficult task to encounter. Obligations
must be fulfilled, Improvements carried
on and emergencies met which will tax
their financial ingenuity and their
patience to the utmost, and they will be
open to criticism from all sources if they
go too fast or too slow. as different people
view the same thing. Big obligations
and an empty treasury will stare the next
city officials in the face.
This is no time to be too strenuous,
either from a partizan or independent
standpoint. Cancellation must be the
spirit of the hour. All the better ele-
ments of Salt Lake society want radical
change in municipal affairs. Even the
respectable citizens of the dilapidated
Liberal party are sick of the doings of
their representatives in the city council.
A movement therefore which promises to
remedy the evils that affiict the city
should receive kindly treatment and all
the support that can be consistently
bestowed.
This is not a time for factions,
opposition or division into parties on
small objections. The main thing is
to secure good, sound, solid
city council, and honest, fearless,
and capable executive officers. What
their political complexion may be is not
of so much conseq uence, and the modus
operandi of their nomination is, after all,
a secondary consideration. We trust that
the general welfare will be kept in view,
and considering the necessities Of the oc-
casion it will be made paramount above
minor interests.