The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-08-31
FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT ONLY

Some of those who are in favor of q
municipal election this fall
say that their only object is to secure
good government. Let that be granted.
still is it true that the only way good
government, and all it implies, can be
secured is by the election Of a non
partisan ticket?
1t is universally Admitted that one
OF the faults of our system of govern
ment throughout the country. particu-
larry in municipal matters. is that the
business men and what are termed
the better class of citizens rarely if
ever attend the primaries and almost
as rarely go to the. polls. Who is to
blame for such a CONDITION of affairs?
The citizens who do not attend to these
duties. They remain at home, taking
no part in the selection of those who
are to administer the public business
and when things do not go to suit
them they often set themselves up as
critics possessing a superior wisdom
and better sort of patriotism than
their fellow citizens who go to the pri-
m2ries and to the polls. a real, ear
rest, honest desire for good city gov
erngaent prompts men to seek it where
IT first begins. With our system of
party government it is idle for people
TO condemn tickets and deplore the
prospect of bad government after the
conventions have been held and tickets
put in the field. What are called indie
pendents in politics can scarcely hope
to influence the course OF politics to
any considerable extent unless thew
constitute a body so large as to be able
by their votes to influence elections one
way or the other.
These remarks apply to some Of those
who have identified themselves with
the non-partisan movement in this CITY.
They do not attend primaries. for thew
have scarcely any political ties; they
do not look upon themselves as parti-
sans, nor are they so regarded; in fact
their interest in politics is largely con-
lined to crIticising those who are in
terested IN it. If these same gentlemen
always had the same interest in having
the city government conducted
in a thoroughly business like
way that they now avow. per-
haps things would not have
got to the pass they have. WHY have
not these gentlemen been at the prj-
marles of one or other of the parties
and there set forth their views giving
the people the benefit of their ideas
and experience? They would be listened
to and their suggestions would receive
che consideration they deserve. If they
will not do this, whom have they to
blame if their ideas are not accented. if
their influence is not felt in politics?
Even when they take an interest in
political matters and bestir themselves
in behalf Of good government. their eff
forts are only spasmodic. and hence
have but Little if any effect on public
opinion. If they have a genuine desire
TO better affairs municipal, let them
identify themselves with some regular
party and through it seek to accom-
plish their aims: it is the best and
most feasible method they can adopt.
Then they will be able to lift politics
by degrees instead Of trying to do it all
at once, an impossible task. They
should realize that it is the constant
dropping that wears the stone. and not
the sudden dousing of a great quantity
Of water upon it,
While we have given some of those
who are engaged in this move for a
non-paztdsan municipal ticket full
credit for absolute sincerity in their
declarations that all they desire is an
honest and economical city government,
still we do not believe. they have that
desire any more than those who do not
favor their plan. Things have reached
a fine stage when men, cannot belong
to a party and work through it to Sc
cure good and honest government, or
when those who do not believe in so
working are the only ones in a com
mundty fit to administer its affairs.
When the Democratic party has shown
its incapacity for governing this city
as it should be, it will be time enough
for the Democratic party to think of
joining in q, non-partisan movement to
secure good government for the city.