The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-09-21
rHE CONNEXIONS ro-N,ear.


This evening meetings are to be hel3 in
the respective precincts OF this city for
the purpose OF placing in nomination q
citizens municipal ticket, and of taking
steps to secure reform administration.
The object of this step, which is called an
Independent movement, is similar to that
OF the Citizens movement now under the
direction of the committee of fifty. That
IS to say, its purpose is to make a
thorough and complete reform in muni-
cipal affairs, and to take from the hands
of the Liberal faction the power which It
has so shamefully abused.
While the end in view of both move
ments is ostensibly the same, the methods
adopted to accomplish it are entirely diff
ferent. The gentlemen who originated
the Citizens movement were so anxious
to have it free from the rougher and more
radical elements of Liberalism, that they
made it too select, in the opinion of great
number of citizens. Also it was an
nounced that it would be entirely free
from party considerations, but the
spirit of partizanship was introduced
when the committee was made up, aim
ing to divide it about equally among
representatives of the three parties, and
succeeding in giving very small minor
ity to the party whose number entitled 1T
to at least as large representation as any
other.
The principal objection, however,
among the great body Of the people is the
exclusive method of the movement. The
citizens claim that in Citizens move
ment they ought to have voice. They
are not satisfied with merely speaking at
the polls on election day. They demand
a part in the nominations and view with
considerable jealousy and disfavor the
manner of framing ticket adopted in the
selection of a committee of fifty.
This has caused the starting of the indie
pendent movement. 1t is much more
popular in its methods and it has met
with much more favor from the body of
the people. 1t may be that these organi-
cations may come together, seeing that
they have one object in view. Neither OF
them is partisan movement, if its pur-
pose has been truthfully proclaimed.
Both want good and able men, irrespec-
tive of party, to take charge of municipal
affairs.
1t may be that the Democratic and the
Republican primaries can be brought to
support the men selected by the INDIE
pendent or the Citizens movement. That,
we take it, Will largely depend upon
what is done tonight. The people should
attend the precinct conventions and take
part in the proceedings. They should be
on hand to prevent the capture OF the
conventions by hobos and persons OPP
posed to the movement for more re-
spectacle city government.
1t is within the power of the taxpaying
and bona fde citizens to relegate the dis
reputable element to its own place, and
to establish city government which Will
be credit and pride. This can be done
by union of the best people of all par
ties and determination to close out the
rank Liberal remnants entirely.
But care must be exercised in the choice
of men to form the new administration.
They should be business men capable OF
managing their own affairs successfully.
men of honor and repute who can be de-
pended upon to handle the people, money
honestly and with economy and discre-
ton. and in whose minds ''boodle' will
have no place when public affairs are in
view.
Partisanship ought not to govern in
these matters. But it must be clear to
every observer that party feeling Will be
excited if any effort is made by Republic
cans to exclude Democrats or Uice Uersa.
Due regard for the fair respective claims
of either party will be prudent in the
conduct of this campaign.
The HERALD is only anxious that the
next city administration shall be one that
all good citizens, irrespective of party,
can cordially support. At the same time
it does not ignore the fact that no party
can be expected to bear with equanimity
a manifest attempt to do it an injustice.
Let what is done tonight be done with
due elaboration. The danger in these
popular mixed gatherings is the nominal
ton of unfit persons by wild and partizan
clamorers, and their endorsement by
thoughtless friends carried away by the
excitement of the hour. Let it be borne
in mind that this is critical time, and
that upon the turn in this crisis depends
the prosperity OF our city for the next two
years 1t is agreed that the city has had
enough of Liberalism. Let care be taken
that it does not go again into the hands
that have SO misused the confidence Of the
public. Personal and party ambition
must give way to the good of the commu-
nifty and the progress and credit of this
beautiful city. Let the good citizens at
tend to steady business tonight