The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1895-01-19
MONEY IN POLITICS.

Utah politics are as yet crude and
but lily formed, yet young as division
on national lines is, our friends the
republicans, have learned the power
of money and also pretty well how to
get it. They are apt to learn this part
of it. No sooner had the develop
ments of the commission cast doubt
upon the proportions OF the recent vic
tory they had won, or thought they
had won, than the Tribune COM
menced calling Justify for money to
help out. In the briefest time money
came pouring into the Tribune's till
in a thousand rivulets. 1t was vaguely
said that this money was needed to
bear the expenses attending, or which
were expected to attend vast suit to
save to the republican party the fruits
of the victory they had won in Novem-
ber last. Time has rolled on and it
has nowhere appeared that such suit
has been iled or is in progress or that
any great and undue expense has been
incurred by any one. Still every morn
ing the chief organ of that party in
Utah has suggestive and beautiful lit
tie paragraphs relating to the roll of
honor fund, and in many ways is keep
ing alive public interest in the battle
expected, to the end that these gold
and silver rills may be kept flowing.
Many good, but very simple hearted re-
publicans, are still contributing of their
slender store Of money, various sums up
to five dollars in amount. Now we
have not the shadow of a doubt but
that this money is destined to be
divided between the paper named and
q convenient corruption fund for gen.
eral party purposes at sometime in the
future exigencies of political action.
1t is too bad, too bad when the condi-
tion of the contributors is considered.
The times are hard and pinehing and
few republicans have money to spare
for this purpose or any other. Yet
they are daily appealed TO in passion
ate terms to "come up and help"
against the efforts of some mighty
foe.
Surely the foe should be pointed out.
A bill of particulars should accompany
these impassioned appeals for money,
but no foe is shown and no reason why
money should be accumulated is given.
As an individual democrat it is none
of our business to caVil at this action
of the republican party, other than to
show to the tricked and deluded fol-
lowers of that party, that they are be-
ing fooled and this fund will be used
for corrupt purposes. Indeed every in
dication points that way, and it is only
necessary TO recall the fact that there
is no action pending which demands
money in its prosecution. The Infer
ence is therefore plain that the for
gathering energies OF the influences
named are as irrepressible as they are
conscienceless and corrupt.
We have had too much money in
politics in this territory. a halt
should be called. Ii can only be
stopped by the people refusing to be
further blef in this way, by the leeches
and blood-suckers of the republican
organization. In view OF the readiness
to turn loose the barely already mani
Tested here, the constitution should
provide clause mandatory to the
legislature. providing for law to make
it felony to use money in any way in
a political campaign except for the
legitimate and well-understood ex-
penses of such, honestly conducted. If |
the Tribune's scheme is to remain in |
vogue and become a part of partisan
tactics, Utah will soon become SO cor
rupt that decent coyotes will refuse to
bark at her.