Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-10-11
IMPROPER DISTINCTIONS.

In soliciting the names OF candidates
FOR local officers. we are or the opinion
that due regard should b. had to the
sentiments Of minnritics. Not that they
should rule or dominate proceedings 10
any way hut fairness requires that
they should not be Ignored. and wisdom
suggests that Il r. prudent 60 recognize
them. Existing conditions should niHo
b. taken into account. and one pariicu-
lar class Of tho community. n cinaHca
thofc be-. should not soiza upon nli tho
nominations because 10 produminntou On
numhcra
wa DO not charge that injustice has
been done IN this mattor during the
opening movements ~ the municipal
campaign of 1893. but tharc are slmo
complaints that too many "Mnrm1ns'
have been selected compared with the
number OF "Gcntllcn" chosen. Thcro
should b. no discrimination N that
Kind. nor u amy other that would b. in
thu nature Of class distinction.
II II 10 h. dcnlored that these terms
should b. rnvivcd In political affairs.
We were under tho impression that BY
common consent they were 90 b.
dropped from our political vocabulary.
But thcy have boon used during tho
past fcw days. very freely nud 20 far
~ we can learn a. H. not the "Mormous'
who are responsible for the unpleasant
fxsuacitation of these defunct or Hlum-
bofing expressions. They have been
brought forward Tor the purpose of
breeding discomfort. and " tanning that
into the flames Of strife and ~ Will
Those designations ought 10 BE-
dropped na thoy relate 10 persons nom
mated or elected 10 civii ONCE. That we
believe h the desire Of the hoat people
81 all faiths. partica ana pcrAuasinns.
4 mans religion or non-rcliglon should
cut no ngurc IN the question Of hls 1T
mesa for a public station. Il ought not
60 matter whether he a. Catholic cor a
Protestant. a believer or non-bolloycr In
religious theories, His suitability and
qualifications for tho ofiioo 20 be nllcd.
ought tn b. the sole consideration In
political assembly.
why should the fact be- paraded In
print that 20 many gentlemen nomi-
mated are "Mormona." and 30 many or
Few are "0cntllenf'' What Ia the purpose
Of thus making comparison or cum
trust OF that nort7 II Il not 90 arouse
tho old rancor and rokindio settled anil
moaltlsff We regard this attempt as
OF OWL intent No good can como OF
II. and an citizens who desire peace
and harmony. even though they may
work In differing parties, Hhould cot
their faces against that sort OF division.
Their D. no good reason why, when
npminationa are made. that palms
should be taken 10 md out what re-
ligion a candidate Processes, or what
church he attends, or whether he at
tends at all. The very curiosity that
prompts such an inquiry and the pub
iication ~ the result, show an Interior
motive and one that ought not 20 be
encouraged. The people have Il In their
power 10 1T down upon an such en-
doavom tc make mischief
~. however. u can be truthfully
charged that selections have been pur-
poaeiy made with Wow 10 the pre-
pondernncc OF any religious dcnominn-
ton. OF vice versa. we win be- found
oppofinF that hh much nH We uoprcchln
the cndcavor 10 make the old dlstlnU-
lions appear ns present realities. We do
not believe there has been any plan or
determination TO accomplish the pre-
pondornncc Of Mormon" representa-
tlon or Influence. but that the rclec-
tons Of candidates. have beon made on
regular party principles without re-
Fnrd-porhnpa without sufficient regard
under present clroumaipncca-to whcth-
err "Normona' or "Mormona"
formed the majority o. those who were
voted FOR Ia the conventions.
Let w an strive for u square deal IN
these matters, that every class, II there
are yet classes among us, shall receive
fair representation, and let tho object
be. In all thlDgs tho welfare Of tho en-
urc community Put only a. men into
public ninGo,