Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-02-16
NO INVESTIGATION.


So there IL to be no investigation OF
the senatorial election. The legisia-
tive blood has cooled, and the demand
for an investigation has eimply
"petered out" We had begun to
hope that there would be an inquiry,
one that would include all phases OF
the subject matter, but we are not
particularly disappointed by the ac'
tion OF the Senate Monday evening,
which killed the proposition.
So far from substantiatlng the allie
cations Of "chuIch influence" on
which was founded the original prop
osition for an investigation, II an in
quiry had been held 1t would have
proved a wsterhaui. The prominent
gentlemen whose names have been
used in connection with those allega-
lions could have shown easily and
effectualIy that they were innocent OF
any &c. whatever that was contrary to
law or the welfare OF the common.
wealth; and we would have been
pleased rather than Otherwise at seeing
an opportunity given them to make
this showing, and close the mouthu OF
their tradueers.
We sleo confess to having felt a de.
gree OF satisfaction in the prospective
disclosures relating to methods that
were pursued by the faction which
had most to say about "church .infiu-
snce." But it may be that the calm
second thought OF the Senate is the
better one to govern. AT all events
the NEWS will cheertulIy acqulesce In
1t.
There is little question, however,
that an investigation would have
been ordered by the Legislature IL any
tangible facts had o1me to the knowl-
edge OF members that would have JUS.
titled 1t. But though strenu us efforts
were made to create belief that such
facts existed, q cursory glance at the
evidence on which such allegations
were based dissipated all hope OF sub
Stimulating them by judicial proceed
ing.
The debates that occurred on the
proposition to have an investiga.
ton, left large majority OF the
assembly firmly convinced that
the "chureh influence" charge was
nothing but bugaboO; and
that members said to have been con.
trolled by 1t in reality were more
completely free and Independent In
casting their votes than were other
members who so accused them.
No tangible evidence was ndducsd
going to show, with a certainty neccs-
ssry ss foundation for a Judicial in.
quiry,that money had been criminally
ueed during the campaign, though it
was abundsntlF shown that lavish
expenditures were made, some of them
in directions which, while not viola.
tive of the law, are not considered
proper by right thinking people.
The session OF the Legislature Is
nearing it's close, and the remaining
days are peculiarly precious on &C.
count OF the great work that must be
completed before they expire; and 1t is
probably best that charges. made In
pique and anger. and having 10 visi.
bic foundation in faat, should not,
under the oircuIastGaaes. be made the
subject of q veXatious and expensive
investigation. But II T. thorough ~.
quiry could have been had into all
phases of the senatorial campaign, re.
suiting in q record OF evidence that ,
would have viniinated the innocent
and convicted the guilty, speaking
MORALLY as well as legally, due news
was 10 favor Of such proceeding.