The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-03-31


nicipal League propose to do?
This is a question that3is being aske
again and again these days. and tn
invariable answer is that the organ
ization will prove nothing short of
nucleus for new party that will GU
no little figure in the next municipa
campaign.
But the purpose of the league is st
purify the city" So says the body
constitution, and maybe it should no
be questioned. There can be no doub
of an honest motive behind a majorit.
of those who have identified them
selves with the federation, and thei
action, if not for personal reasons
will receive the hearty Endorsement o
all good citizens. But certain facts il
connection with the organization ar
floating to the surface which may wei
cause those who really have the city;
interests at heart to inquire the rea
purpose of the league.
The Herald would not seek to throw
discredit upon anything that has fol
it's object the betterment of existing
conditions. This paper has shown thai
the city is no worse morally now thar
it was two years ago. Indeed, it is
better. But in the midst of it al
springs into existence the Municipal
League, and following closely upon it;
organization a newspaper discovers
that the city is going TO the dogs; that
her fair name is being besmirched
that her streets and alleys, her parks
and parades are swarming with black
legs, thieves, thugs, boosters, tinhorn,
sure-thing men and sandbaggers; that
her blocks are permeated and rotten
to the center with sin; that every door
is pitfall for youth and innocence,
and that hundreds of our young men
and young women, toO-are being
transported straight through on the
caravan which winds its way to the
portals of eternal woe. Why was not
this state of affairs discovered before
the league was organized? Was not
that newspaper aware of the exact
state of the city's morality?
These are some of the further queries
put forth by the average citizen, and
then the explanation follows. The civic
federation movement was not the re-
suit of a general uprising among the
people. A few ladies and gentlemen
got together-and their honesty and
good intentions cannot be questioned
and formed an organization which,
when carried on along legitimate lines,
might be a power for good. But now
while the league has existed for only
a week or two. scheming politicians
are already seeking to use it to fur
Their their political ambitions, and that
explains why all the stories of the
citys immortality are being circulated.
One of the office holding tribe be-
ieves that the federation will ultimately
merge into a citizens party and he
wants to get into the band wagon in
good time. Should his hopes in regard
to the leagues future be realized he
'eels confident of again becoming a tax
eater. He is but a type of many. Now
that the police commission will die at
the end of the year the mayor will
have the appointment of a chief, sub
Jet to the approval of the city coun-
I'll. If the citizens movement should
De successful the Republican politicians
link that their man, whoever he NAV
De, would stand the best chance of
'eceiving the coveted plum.
The plan decided upon by these
;chemers is to boost themselves into
power under the banner of reform, and
heir only hope is to create a false
sentiment in relation to the moral con-
lition of the city.
If the hopes of the plotters shall
prove true it is said that County Com
ioner l.. E. Hall may be formidable
candidate for mayor, John e. Dooly
S also spoken of and the fact that
IL W DIS CilOScH d HleIlDeT le DO1TQ
# trustees of the new nun 1al league
hough he has not ATTENDED, my vi RS
Meetings may have some sigrifican-0
n this connection it has a.so been
that leading Republicans |
viii try to work the league in the |
interest of their party, which has no |
nance of success in the next cam |
align.
Municipal leagues are a good thing |
Then organized for the right purpose"
aid well known gentleman yester-
ay, but when it is sought to make |
them mere political machines for the |
icians. all the good they intend to do
; nullified at once. If there is any
lisrule in this city, as alleged; if vice
nd corruption go hand in hand as
tated from day to day, who is respon-
ble?
Certainly not the Democrats. Do
ne people want change of measures
nd of men? The Democratic party
lands ready to grant the relief sought
nd this fall it is proposed to furnish
lie remedy for all evils which exist.
ut Democrats should be careful about
aid and comfort to dis
bled enemy which looks merely to
lem for assistance in holding it's I'M
.wful plumber. Who comprise the
Iunicipal league? Is Mrs. Pardee, its
ice president, a Democrat? Is John
Dooly a Democrat? Is Rev. Thomas
erwin Tiff a man who has repented
nd allied himself with Democracy?
re Corser and Corum and George
Emmeline B. Wells, B. f.
lay, DR.. Silver, George A. Lowe Dem
ats? Have not all its predictions
the past been Republican,"
Some say that Mr.. Dolly has no as
ratfons whatever in the direction in
Gated, which may he entirely true,
IT if that is the case, then he is sim
y being doomed without authority
Id against his wishes.
Citizens generally, so far as the SEN
ment has been observed. favor any,
ing that will improve the morals of
e city and will aid the league but (
has become so apparent during the
tst few days that the Republican
'liticians are planning to use it to
Vance their own political ends that
e league will either have to shake it !
II free from those who have designs
ION it or else go under.
------c-&D
a Stag Party.
One of the most ENJOYABLE Stag" din ,