Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-12-02
THE SCHOOL ELECTION.

10 read the Herald's essay on the
University OF Utah, person unac-
quainhad with the facts would naturally |
imagine that the state institution had
become involved In controversy about |
the City Board Of Education. Under
cover of eulogy Of that establishment, |
the Herald insinuates that Prof. Byron
Cummings Is put forward by the Unit
versity as q candidate for the school
board. There is no more foundation
for that intimatlon than there IL for
the other contentious OF that paper In
reference to the contest in the First
precinct.
The State University did not nomi-
nate Prof. Cummings. He was not put
forward by any bf the officers or pre-
ceptors In that institution He was
suggested by friends who knew Of his
qualifications and special adaptabllity
for the position. He was favored by
q number Of the scheming politicians
OF the First precinct. who now oppose
him, until they learned that he was
likely TO receive the support OF the
majority OF the Mormon voters there.
No one connected with the University
has offered any objection TO his candi-
dacy. Those who know him best rec
ognize the most his worth and fitness
for the place for which he has been
named.
1t has been clearly shown that the
gentleman would have ample time,
apart from his duties as Professor of
Greek and Latin IN the University, TO
attend TO the work required on the
school board. Indeed, he would be able
to spend more time than most OF the
business men who will have a place on
the board His position in the uni
verslty does not In any sense bring
him into antagonism with the District
schools or with the High schools They
are all part OF the State system of edu-
cation, The notion that there IL any
competition" between them Is wholly
imaginary and has no foundation In
truth.
1t should be observed that In all the
opposition raised against Prof. Cum
mings. not one word has been said
against his eminent ability and thor
ough qualifications for the Office TO
which he has been nominated. The
University alleged objection turns out.
on close scrutiny, to be greatly In his
favor, proving, II anything, his entire
fitness for the place. The only other
objection Is clothed In the dust and
smoke or mystery. With that cleared
away by the breath Of common sense,
1t stands simply that majority Of
the Mormon voters regard him as
IN acceptable candidate, and that set
lies the question in the minds Of the
bitter anti-"Mormon' clique that has
put forward Mr. Eyer in opposition,
We hear nothing Of any special fitness
for the position 10 be filled on the part
OF the boilers candidate. No one seems
10 be able to point out anything in the
gentlemans character or training that
qualities him for the post We have
nothing 70 ray against him personally
but we invite comparison Of the two
candidates ON their merits. Neither OF
them is q Mormon" each Of them, We
believe, IL q Republican. Let theiI
qualifications be the sole test, as they
ought to be. and Prof, Cummings would
be- electnd by almost the entire vote OF
the First Municipal Ward, the exceptions
being simply the virulent clique OF an
tl-'Mornon'' politicians who have as
samed for years to run election affairs
OF every Kind of that precinct.
Now, we advise every voter In TN
First precinct TO go to the polls tomor
row, and effectually sit down upon IN,
movement. started in the spirit Of sec
tartan spite, 70 continue the antagon
ism In that precinct, which ought &
have been smitten to death long ago
II Prof. Cummings is not elected to III
office for which he is 80 eminent!
adapted. II VIII be because Of apath,
on the part of people there, who ough
to exercise the rights and privileges o
American citizens. In the interest o
non-partlsanship and non-sectarianisr
in the educational affairs Of this city
There appears to be no contest In th
other Municipal wards. nor shout
there be, the gentlemen named hav
been duly nominated by the regula
non-partlsan conventions held In thos
precincts, and II Is to be hoped that tn
voters regardless OF religion, OF Of poll
tics will turn out tomorrow and elect IN
gentlemen whohaye beenselected.The
are some rumors Of underhanded meas
ures to defeat one or two Of them, bu
we hope the election returns will sho'
that these unpleasant reports hay
been without tangible foundation. Il
every qualified elector go 10 the poll
on Wednesday, and cast ballot Il
the candidates who have been dull
nominated by the regular non-partisa
conventions held for the purpose!
THE ARMY CANTEEN.