The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-09-27
AS TO THE STATE CONVENTION.

AS TO THE STATE CONVENTION.
''In spite of the suggestions to the
contrary, both political parties in this
city and county, and probably in most
of the outside counties of the territory,
are determined to nominate party can
didates for the convention which meets
next March to frame a state constitu-
ton"
The foregoing is the opening remark
of an editorial in our evening contem-
porary, which deplores the determine
ton of the respective parties, believes
there is no necessity for it, and appeals
to the party leaders 10 use their infiu-
ence that men of experience, patriot
ism, sound, clean, and just, instead of
political tricksters, rascals, wire-pullers
and pelf-seekers, shall be sent as dele
gates to the constitutional convention.
1t should be remembered that The
Salt Lake Herald was the first paper
in the territory to make an appeal for
non-partisan convention, so that we
might have a non-partisan constitu-
ton. The Herald urged the selection
of good and wise men as delegates,
men who had obtained experience in
such matters, also business men, some
good lawyers, practical farmers and
men Of other occupations, SO that the
labor interest as well as the other in
terests in the new state might be prop
erly represented, apart from mere po-
litical party interests.
But this was met at once by a note
of defiance from the Republican com
mittee through its chairman, which
was taken up by the Republican press,
and the demand was made for con-
vention in which the majority Of the
avowed purpose was to so fix the corr
stitution Of the new state that the the
cries Of partisan Republicanism might
find a place, and prepare the way for
their practical naturalization, giving
the Republican party pre-eminence in
the state
This was followed up by intimations
that the reason why the Democrats
wanted a non-partisan convention was
because they feared a contest on par
tisan grounds. These opposing inhu-
ences rendered it necessary that the
Democrats should avail themselves of
all proper means to save the
constitutional convention from being
controlled by partisans and political
wire-puHers, more anxious to achieve
party ends than to prepare constitu-
ton framed in the general interest. We
therefore take the ground that it is the
duty of all Democrats in Utah to see
that as many Democrats as possible
are elected to the constitutional con-
vention.
Our evening contemporary says:
There is absolutely no political issue
at stake" If the line of policy sug-
gested by The Herald had been fol-
lowed, there would have been mo po-
litical issue at stake But with a
party practiced in political tricks. ex-
hibiting now a disposition to resort to
any kind Of device to carry its point.
openly declaring its intention to pack
the convention with it's own advocates
for the avowed purpose of giving the
constitution a partisan bias, there is a
political issue at stake.
OF IHdI reason the Democrats of
Utah are placed in a position which
makes party effort essential to the
welfare of the state. But we endorse
the advice of our neighbor to the voters
of Utah, as to the selection of good
men and true for delegates. Pick out
your wise, honest, clean and able men.
Do not send a man simply because he
is a. pronounced Democrat or rabid Re
publican.
OF course there will be some men of
both parties. That is all right. But
under the circumstances it would be
suicidal for the Democrats in this city
and county and elsewhere throughout
the territory, to avoid the issue and let
the partisan Republicans make up a
partisan convention, inflict upon the
state partisan constitution, and open
the way to iobbery, corruption, the en-
richment of corporations and capital
lists at the public expense, and other
Republican evils that have been a
curse to the nation. Let us send good
and wise men to the convention and
let US make sure that it is not packed
With partisan Republicans