The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-09-24
TIE PRESSING ISSUE.


The action taken in the Democratic
primaries last night with one exception
amounts to mastery inaction. That
perhaps was the wisest course to pursue
in view of the situation. 1t is desirable
that mutual understanding shall be ar
rived at by the differ ing political organi-
cations, so that there may be no conflict
between the respectable elements Of Salt
Lake society.
Democrats and Republicans, great
many former Liberals, and those people
who have not affiliated with either party,
but whose votes count just the same
as though they had, are united
in desire for a good city government,
free from the influences which have
brought so much evil since the Liberals
went into power, in February, 1890. They
ought to become united also in political
action. Not that they can fuse into one
party. That is not to be expected. But
TO effect the reform which is an absolute
necessity to the welfare of the city, the
common desire must be made expressive
in united work.
Salt Lake is not singular in forming a
combination of parties that conflict on
national questions but are impelled
to that course for self protection
against local disorders Many OF the
cities of the east have delivered themselves
from similar evils to those which affiict
Salt Lake, by temporarily uniting on local
issues, while they preserve their party
distinctness on national politics.
This is different from organizing new
party or returning TO an old one. 1t is
common impulse against common dan
ger. 1t is great folly to raise the cry in
this instance that it is return to old con-
ditions. There is no more likelihood OF
reorganization of the defunct Peoples
party than there is of the restoration of
British rule over the states of
this Union. People who are in
their senses will pay no attention
to such trenzied rawlings as are INDUCED
in by Liberals anxious to save their fac
ton from the utter ruin that stares it in
the face
The endorsement of the Independent
ticket for councilmen in the First pre-
cinct is an indication that the Democrats
and other citizens there determined on
municipal reform, intend to do their part
to effect this purpose. But the postpone
ment of definite action in the other pre-
cincts does not mean apathy, it signifies
caution. The action of the original Citi-
zens' committee is awaited. That is
wise. 1t is what THE HERALD advised at
the first. When the work of the Citi-
zens' and the Independent movements is
before the public, much better basi S
will be laid for united action than exists
at present.
The utmost freedom should be afforded
10 every citizen to express his views and
privilege Of every aspirant, also, to put
himself forward for nomination to office.
But discussion of principles or candidates
should be conducted in a manner be-
fitting enlightened and civilized freem9n.
And the principle that s'the Office should
seek the man" ought not TO be ignored in
the other case. 1t is unpleasant to see any
person so eager for place or so anxious to
press the claims OF a friend, that personal
desires are set over and above the public
welfare. And it is not at all ereditable to
citizens that they cannot debate public
question without disorder and unseemly
language. This has reference of course
to the only precinct where it is applicable.
But such differences must not be al
lowed to affect the great issue that lies
before us. There is not the slightest
doubt that by united action of the better
elements of this city, the faction which
has gained possession of its government,
multiplied its expenses, squandered it's
funds, increased the taxes, disgraced the
municipality, made the city hall bear
garden, and plunged the city in a gulf of
debt from which it cannot recover for
many years, may be ousted from power
and broken up for good. That is the
work that is to be done, and THE HERALD
will aid in it as soon as some definite plan
is formulated and ticket is agreed upon
such as the friends of law, order,
economy, honesty and business methods
can support.
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Suits to order from SIS. Buckle & Son,
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