Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-03-19

The Territory and State OF Utah wer,
named after a tribe of Indians. the
utes, that inhabited IA portion of the
region now embraced within the Dor
ders of the latter. Thus a well estab-
llshed precedent was followed. for sew
eral of the states In the Union, and
nny number of counties. cities. towns
villages. streams, mountains, etc. In
the country, derived their names from
the aborigines. In times past the
name Utah" has been objected to-
partly because 1t was not very euphoni-
ous,but chiefly because of the degraded
character of the Indian tribe from
which 1t was taken. Efforts were made
from time to time to change the name
TO "Deseret;" and In the constitutional
convention that was held In 1879, the
name "Argenta" was proposed for the
new state.
Other names were suggested on vari-
Gus occasions, but the usual difficulty
OF changing geographical nomenclature
was experienced and proved too great
to be surmounted; hence no change
was made, and when the robes of
statehood was assumed. the new MEM
Der of the Union retained her old cog
nomen. But "Deseret' will remain
the poetic name of this commonwealth
as long as Columbia will that OF our
country.
II there has bsen dissatisfaction with
the name Utah." there has been more
with the forms Of the nouns substantive
that have been used to designate ma
tive or resident of the State. "Utoni-
an" was coined by II. b. II. Stenhouse,
but as derivative 1t departs too far
in photography from Its root to be sat
isfactory; the departure makes the
Significance of the word doubtful to a
reader not already familiar with it.
The meaning of "Utahniin" Is plain
enough, but this Is the only merit the
word has; 1t is long, awkward and UNI
musical. and is not well adapted for the
purpose for which 1t was coined. The
phrase Utah man." though sometimes
employed, is simply intolerable. great
objection to 1t being the necessity for
changing when the gentler sex Is
referred to. to Utah lady" or Utah
woman" both of which phrases are
utterly lacking In elegance.
Many citizens of this State, and
especially members OF its press. have
long desired better term than either
of the above, and at length Colonel
William Nelson of the Tribune. has
come to the rescue. Some time ago he
submitted to the News" the suggestion
that the word ''utan." or ''Utahn" be
adopted. He preferred the latter, and
the Tribune lately has been using It.
The News" approves Colonel Nelson's
choice. and his suggestion that 1t be
adopted as the term by which to desig-
nate u native or resident of the state
of Utah. and viii hereafter so employ
1t. We understand that Colonel Nelson
has communicated with other editorial
writer's in the State with view to
securing the general and uniform use
of this word, and take pleasure In en-
dorsing his action.
In this connection the News" urges
another verbal reform. In these days of
hurry and electricity it takes entirely
too much time to say Joint city and
county building" and the phrase is a
great deal too long with the word
Joint omitted. Some persons speak
of the costly structure simply as the
joint" but this phrase is too ''slangy,"
besides being extensively suggestive. The
phrase 'joint building" lacks clear
ness and dignity. and is Objectionable.
What Is wanted is an appellation, short
but sufficiently descriptive. and the
News" invites suggestions from such
of its readers as crave the honor of
christening this magnificent building.
II would probably be necessary for
the City Council and County Commits
sioners TO take Official action In the
matter OF giving new name TO the
building in which they hold thoir ses-
sions, because 1t is one which often
figures in legal documents and pro-
ceedings. and requires 20 have an es-
tablished designation. But no doubt
the bodies mentioned would adopt by
resolution a suitable name for the
structure II one should be suggested.
Who speaks first?
SAGA(InIis sAGasrt