The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-08-11
THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.


One OF the principal reasons why The
Herald opposes the non-partisan move
ment is because, aside from the fact
that it is of Republican origin and in
tended to help that party out of a very
deep hole. it is also calculated 10 de-
stroy the influence of partisan cleo
tons in this state.
There is nothing for which the people
Of Utah should be more thankful than
the division on national party lines, the
result of which was to bring the peo-
pie closer together and do away with
strifes and chickering's resulting from
mongrel political methods.
The division on party lines was
hailed with delight by the people gen.
orally. The evils that were predicted
when the old Liberal and Peoples party
organizations were disbanded never
materialized. and they never will so
long as the people of Utah keep step
with the rest of the nation along ma
tional party lines. The difficulty that
confronts Republicans is very plainly to
be seen. 1t would be rather embar-
raising for even a Republican city con-
vention to assemble without adopting
some kind of a platform, and while
national and state issues do not cut
much figure in a city election it is Gus
tomary for a Republican city conven-
ton to declare that it endorses the ma
tional and state platforms of the party.
Now it would require considerable cour-
age for a Republican city convention
to declare that the St. Louis platform
was all right. because it would not
augur well for the success of the ticket.
state platform there would be mere
trouble, because there were two Repub-
lican state platforms last year, and
the question would be which to endorse
the one made at Mount Pleasant or
the one adopted at Ogden. The silver
question cannot be settled this fall but
in so far as it is possible for the peo-
pie to give expression to their senti-
ments on this issue, they should do so
on every occasion. If we mistake not
the people are still in favor of the free
coinage CT silver. and would like a
chance this fall to give expression TO
their sentiments. The Democrats can
and will nominate a good ticket.
The candidates will all be men
of ability, and we believe they
will have the confidence of their
fellow citizens, and when elected will
pursue the same course in regard to the
conduct of the city business that the
Democratic county commissioners are
following in regard to the county bust
ness.
The non-partisan press of this city
would have the people believe that a
dire calamity threatens them. One re-
fers to the improved condition of San
Francisco after the vigilance commit
tee had hanged all the rascals in 1856
and the other presents a hypothetical
case that does not fit the situation, and
is, therefore, pointless. Salt Lake City
may be in the hands of incompetent
city officials, and a band of political
scheners may be prepared to make an
onslaught and capture the city gov
eminent. It must be remembered that
the Democratic party is not RESPONSE
BILE for the present condition of the
city, or for the peril that threatens.
but it is prepared and able to drive the
rascals out and defend the city from
the political brigands by nominating
and electing a city ticket composed of
men whose. character and standing will
be such that the people will have no
fears of the result.