Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-10-15
ATTEMPTS AT BRIBERY.

The most unpleasant feature Of the
hitter contention over the municipal Of
fees TO be filed at the November cleo
ton. Is the disclosure of alleged at"
tempts at bribery. was stated posi-
lively by reliable PERSONS on Wednes'
day. that the sum of twenty-five dol
lars each was offered directly for proX-
les OF delegates to Thursdays conYen-
ton, ana similar stories have since
been In circulation. Also that this
scheme having been exposed, the tactics
were changed 20 that money was Of
fered, contingent on votes being cast
by certain delegates in the manner
designated
We hone these statements are moor
rect. W. refrain from mentioning
names, because we are well aware that
all kinds of rumors are set ailoat just
previous to elections, for the purpose
OF injurlng candidates said TO be Inn
pllcated. II has been understood that
in times past Utah was free from the
influence Of money ilegitlmately used
IN political affairs. This reputation we
desire TO see Justly maintained. We
are not ready to accept the stories that
are now being gravely told, unless de-
finite proof is offered to substantiate
them.
The difficulty In probing such matters
to the bottom Is, that persons who
claim to know all about them are UNI
willing to have their names go with
their statements. and are not as ready
to come to the front with their testl-
mony as they are to give II In private.
we think II Is the duty of men who
are offered money for proxies or votes,
or who know positively that such offers
have been made. to hold themselves
ready to give evidence of the crime,
anywhere aud everywhere when re-
quired.
II IL clear TO every right minded citi-
zen, that no one who will sell his proxy
or vote as desired for money, Is ht 10 be
delegate In convention or to hold a
public office. And the same may be
sald, emphatically, Of every individual
who engages In such bribery. whether
In person or by agent. We hope that
no such infamy will attach to our cleo
ton affairs in this city, and that II
II does, complete exposure will follow
and the responsible offenders will be
thoroughly exposed and fifty punished,
Let the purity of the ballot be main
talned, IN caucus. in convention and at
the polls!
Since the foregoing was put In type,
further particulars have been received,
A definite statement has been made by
one OF the candidates for the Office OF
Mayor that cannot be passed by in ST.
lence, II viii be found in another part
OF this paper, II Is a most startling
announcement, The gentleman who
made it is business man Of ostab-
lished reputation, looked upon by an
parties and classes as reliable and
whatever opinions may be had as to
his qualifications for the important Of
fee to which he has been encouraged
to aspire, no one that we have heard
OF has questioned his general character
IN the world Of trade. lie certainly
would not have disclosed the attempt
TO bride him II It were not true.
The full details, with names and
places, OF the now current alleged use
OF money TO carry the convention In a
certain way ought to be brought out
II is case for the prosecuting attor,
neys and the courts If men who ut
ter the accusations set a0oat viii mol
voluntarily tell who Is trying TO brib,
delegates and endeayorlng by corrup
methods TO obtain control OF this city
they should be brought into court b!
legal process and required TO give test
mony under oath concerning the often
ces freely talked about in private an,
IN public
We think this Is a matter that con
Germs all honorable citizens Of ever,
shade Of opinion and faith We wan
an honest administration Of public AZ
fairs. A Doodle city government woul
be n calamity the extent Of which can
not now be told, The whole communi
" should rise against II. Ii must no
be tolerated. A universal protest shout
go up forbidding IT, and the voice q
the people should not only be heard I
the air, but be effectualy emphasize
IL necessary at the polls.
WHERE'S THE RESEMBLANCE