The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-08-24
PARTISAN AND NoN-PARTISAN
TICKETS.


tics" devoted somewhat more than a
column to the advocacy of a non-par-
tisan municipal ticket
That some Of the gentlemen who are
anxious for the success oil. the non-par-
usan movement have no political OBJ
iects to further is doubtless true. IT'S
also true, no doubt. that their only de-
sire IN the matter is to secure an hon
est and economical administration of
the affairs of the city. Likewise we
believe it true that some of the gentle
men who are SO ardent in their adyo-
cacy of the non-partisan movement are
quite as eager to make political capital
oue of 1t as to secure an honest and
economical administration of the city's
affairs; nor is it questioned that they
desire such an administration. One can
legitimately desire such an adrninistra-
ton and a political advantage at the
same time
1t cannot be unknown to the News
that those who engage in politics seek
political advantage in all WAYS and if
a non-partisan movement appears op-
perfume for it. they endeavor to avail
themselves Of it. And why shouldn't
they? The Herald frankly confesses
thae If the Democratic party had gotten
itself into such bad odor and i'll repute
as has the Republican through its ad-
ministration of the affairs of this city,
( 1t, too, would gladly seize any and all
opportunities to ESCAPE from them and
TO prevent it's political opponents from
reaoing the benefits to be derived from
such a record. But the Democratic
party has no such record, nor does it
propose to aid Republicans in relieving
themselves of the odfum of their party's
pad record in the administration of the
affairs Of this city. They elected the
present administration; let them take
the honor or dishonor of the record it
has made.
The News says that not one of the
men who favor the non-partisan move
ment asks for or expects a no,nina-
ton to anv position whatever. or would
under any kind of persuasion accept
one. That may or may not be so: we
do not know. do not care whether or
not it is so, but some of them have been
mentioned for them. But why should
not these same gentlemen permit them
selves to be persuaded to accept a nom
ination if the public welfare, and the
people, demanded it? Would not for
them to refuse to serve the public be
for them to do the public, fer whose
welfare they profess such solicitude. a
grievous wrong? Some of these gen
tlemen are prominent in the community
and have its respect and confidence, yet
they are not all the people, and wisdom
will not die with them.
The. News SAYS that ct is a question
of meeting our joint obligations in a
business like. straight forward way; of
enforcing the ordinances as they stand
OF practicing economy without descend
ing to parsirnony; of Tightening the bur-
dens Of taxation by direct and simple
methods: of continuing the improve
ments along prudent and conservative,
yet not stagnant lines; of maintaining
the strictest honesty and accountability
in the city's affairs"
That is the whole question of our
municipal government in a nutshell. 1t
is the same question that confronted
the people of Salt Lake county last fail
and then there was no question of put
ting up a non-partisan ticket. The
Democrats put up their nominees and
elected them. And where is the man in
Salt Lake county who will say that the
Democratic administration of the af-
fairs of this county has not been hon
est and economical? And it was not
necessary to have a non partisan move
ment to select the officers; and no more
is it necessary to have a non-partisan
ticket TO get lust such men to admins
ter the aTairs of Salt Lake City.
The first Democratic legislature OF
the state of Utah made most splendid
record. one of which the Democratic
party may we'll be proud; the first
Democratic administration of Salt Lake
county is making record of which the
party is proud. and with which the peo-
pie are We'll satisfied; and if a Demo
cratic administration shall be elected
in this city next November. it will give
the people such an administration OF
their affairs as will Justify their choice
and realize their hopes. For the Demo
cratic party at this iuncture to join in
a movement for a non-partisan NUM-
cipal ticket would be for it to trade its
birthright for a mess of pottage.
In this connection The Herald desires
to say that while it is not in favor OF
a non-partisan ticket. and is mos
heartily in favor of a straight out Dem
ocratic ticket it will not support ar
unworthy nominee. should any such
by any mischance. be placed upon the
Democratic ticket.