The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-11-29
EYER AND CUMMINGS.

THE NOMINATION. Of two candi-
dates for the board of education
from the First precinct is little less
than a public calamity. 1t would be
regrettable under any circumstances,
but it is peculiarly unfortunate, be-
cause it has resulted from conditions
which raise a question of religious in
huence in school affairs.
Professor Cummings is the nominee
Of the convention, which is recognized
as due, in part at least, to the in
fIuence Of Mormon ecclesiastics, who
used their church positions to further
the candidacy of their choice. The
convention which named Mr.. Eyer was
as distinctively Mormon, and the
campaign is almost certain to take
on the aspect OF the old days when the
lines were drawn between the mem
bers of the dominant church on one
side and all other citizens on the
other.
None but those who profit by strife
between neighbors and everyday asso-
ciates viii welcome the struggle.
1t happens in this case that the Uni
versity of Utah has become identified
with the candidacy of Professor Cum
mings because he is one of the uni
versity faculty. We believe his can
didacy is ill-advised, and that he
would do the university, the public and
himself a great service by Withdraw
ing from the race. There is a very
strong feeling among citizens generally
that university professor is amply
occupied in attending to his duties
with that institution. The public
schools and the university should work
in harmony, because the success of
the higher institution depends in a
great measure on the success of the
public schools. But with a jealousy,
natural under the circumstances, the
taxpayers of the city resent the as
sumption that they must call in a uni
versity man to take part in the adj.
ministration Of a purely local branch
OF their government.
That university man should pre-
cipitate harmful sectarian issue upon
the people by his candidacy for the
place makes it not only desirable, but
necessary, that he should be defeated
Professor Cummings is, no doubt. an
able educator; he is not a Mormon,
and he disclaims any thought of profit
ing by the aid Of ecclesiastical influence
But the fact remains that he has
prOfted by such influence, and he has
signified his willingness to go on with
a campaign which he knows must be
won, if won at all, by the very in
fiuence which he processes to depIore
For this, if for no other, reason he
should be left free to go on with his
university duties without the embar-
rassment Of work on the school board
under circumstances which would make
his presence there Objectionable to a
very large proportion of Salt Lakes
taxpayers and citizens
Professor Cummings opponent is a.
man of wide experience in school af-
fairs and with practical knowledge of
teaching; he has ample time to de-
vote TO the work of the board. and
he is open to no objection on any
grounds. AS between Professor Cum
mings and Mr.. Eyer personally, there
could be little choice, but considering
their merits for this place, there can
be no question. Mr.. Eyer is much the
more desirable candidate. and The Her
aid hopes he viii be elected.
In the Fifth precinct the nomination
of Judge H. p. Henderson is an ideal
choice. He is known and known ia
vorably by everybody; he is a faith
full worker, a man Of the broadcast
views, man OF affairs. and he will
make an invaluable addition to the
board.