The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-03-13
THE DEMOCRATIC MINORITY.

THE DEMOCRATIC MINORITY.
The Democratic members Of the Leg
islanve Assembly deserve the thanks
of the people of Utah for the position
they have taken on every important
public question. And they are entitled
to general admiration for the ability
they have displayed as the minority in
the Assembly
They were placed at disadvantage
from the beginning. by the lack of
courtesy and intense partisanship Of
the majority. who were determined. if
possible, to gain all the credit for nee
essary measures. as they had monopo-
lied all the offices in both Houses
which were within their gift. Bills or
resolutions introduced by Democrats
were shelved to make way for Republi-
can measures on the same subject
Every advantage that could be gained
from numbers and the despotic rule
of the partisan caucus was taken, to
keep the Democratic minority down
and prevent its exercise of legislative
influence.
The same spirit was exhibited by the
presiding officer who almost invariably
ruled in favor of their own party on
issues which involved the prevalence
of party measures. The effects Of the
caucus were as much manifest in the
chair as on the floor of either House
of the Assembly.
But the Democratic members exhib-
tied no shrinkage because of the adj
verse circumstances surrounding them.
They did their duty we'll In committee,
in debate, in parliamentary tactics,
and in knowledge of the basic princi-
pies of popular government, they
doomed up above the minority as dis
tinctly superior. This was prominent
ly observable throughout The session.
and al its last hours it was emphasized
as may be seen in the struggle in the
Council to bring the majority to de-
cency and consistency. For particulars
read the regular report for the day.
The Democratic party Of Gtah may
take reasonable pride in he record
made by its members in the iegisla-
ture. Whether from the north or the
south or from this city, whether new or
old servants of the people, hey ;tcquit-
ted themselves admirably and showed
up in splendid contrast with thejr Re
publican colleagues. or opponents,
whichever pleases the reader.
We invite attention to and compari-
son between the representatives of the
respective parties in the late legisla-
ture. Let the course each pursued as
to the interests of the people and the
principles advocated be we'll considered,
and we have no fear as TO the public
verdict. The Democrats always had a
reason to give for their position on
any public question. The Republicans
frequently had none to offer, but would
shut off or prevent debate and pre-
vailed simply by the force of num-
bers.
Each Democrat. too, was a free man.
He had no caucus rule to close his
mouth or dictate his vote The prin-
ciples of Democracy and the interests
of his constituents were his guide. He
bent to no boss and cowed before no
whip. For these reasons the Demo-
Gratis doomed up with such force and
brightness.
They were the friends of education.
liberality and progress. They opposed
measures to cripple the public SCHOOLS
in aid of private interests. They were
against the illegal disposition Of public
funds under any pretext. Their work
viii bear Investigation, their arguments
will stand the test of logic and law,
and their gallant struggles against
overwhelming numbers viii be appre-
ciated by the citizens of Utah.