The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-09-01

from to I'LL any offica within the gift of
the people and it would be difficult to.
find a Republican willing to admit that
his party could not fill al of the offices
with capable men.
Before the division on party lines we
had nom partisan elections, but we
have never yet heard it claimed that
they invariably resulted in the selee
ton of the best men, either in the city
or county government. In those days,
also, but few people took any interest
in municipal affairs; but since the di-
vision on party lines the people have
become alert and have well defined
theories of what a city government
should be.
These theories have been outlined in
the municipal platforms and resoiu-
tons Of the two parties, and rather
wide divergence of opinion as to
what constituted good city government
has been shown These opinions still
obtain and would either result in
government divided against itself. or a
wishy washy affair that would suit
neither party. Suppose the city coun-
ell equally or nearly equally divided,
and some important question arises
upon which Republicans and Demo-
Gratis differ: What would be the re-
sult3 Republicans would be urging
upon their councilmen to remain firm,
and Democrats would demand just as
strongly that their men stand pat The
counciLmen would be between the
devil and the deep sea II would be a
case of You'll be damned if you do,
and you'll be damned if you don't.
What figure in such a case as this
would the impartial, non-partisan pol
lev cut?
Another question that arises is. what
assurance. have we, after a ticket has
been nominated upon this neal paFti-
san basis, that another ticket viii not
be put in the field and create such
breach that some of the candidates on
the non-partiSan ticket would fail of
election and thus disturb the carefully
adjusted equilibrium? A citizens ticket
almost invariably calls forth a peoples
ticket. and the people would vote for
the popular man just as readily as they
now nominate him in party conven-
tons, particularly if the opposition can
didate was a fellow partisan.
Suppose that every man is elected,
who would receive praise for a sue
cessful administration. or who be
blamed fer failure? Would not each
pt-rty claim the good results and blame
the other for the bad? The Democratic
party has well defined policies regard
ing city government and has proven
itself capable administrator Its
popularity has been attested by re-elec-
ton, and the record has been so salts
factory that there is no apparent rea-
son why there should be a change. If
a change Of policy in any respect would
prove beneficial, the party is as capa-
bic of outlining and carrying it into
effect as could any non-partisan or
ganization. and would either receive
credit for it's success or blame for its
failure. Our final reason is that
the Democratic party has made the
fight Of its life for silver, and will have
to continue its fight against the
money power and the ignorance of its
dupes, until victory is won. It can
not, therefore, afford to assist in the
exaltation to positions OF public honor,
prominence ana consequent influence,
of those who would hold and use that
influence to promote the goldbug cause.
For Democracy in this city and county
there is everything to lose and nothing
to gain by tamperiug with non-parti-
san schemes.
THE Journal has covered the ground
SO well that there is nothing to be
added, save to say with it: For the
Democracy in this city and county
there is everything to lose and moth
ing to gain by tampering with non-par-
tisan schemes"