Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-12-26
A WORD IN SEASON.

It was fondly hoped by the majority
of the majority at the latest municipal
election, that the result OF the fusion
Of parties In protest against plutocratic
rule and factional strife, would be
union of the new officials for the pub
lie interest. What was most desired
was the suppression OF that partisan
spirit which subordinates public af-
fairs to party projects and personal
ambitions. The disposition to ignore
merit when 1t was exhibited by the
other side, and to reward or purchase
influence regardless of merit when II
favored tho side OF the manipulators,
has been the bane of this municipality.
1t will have to be stamped out under
the feet of the people, II 1t takes sew
eral more determined efforts to effect
the needed reform.
The general officers of the city who
will enter upon their duties with the
opening of the new year, understand
that they hold their positions by vlr-
tue OF votes from citizens OF both par
ties. And the majority In the City
Council should be impressed with the
fact that they occupy that position
by a very parrow margin. This is u
pointed Indication of the popular sem
timent, and ought to admonish the
leaders OF the party to which they be-
long, that municipal interests are to
be the first consideration. This of
course must be understood on both
sides. Partisanship must not be put
uppermost from either standpoint.
From that which has been effected
recently, the fear has arisen that the
good work OF the November election
is likely to be marred, In the very
manner that was deemed menace
to municipal progress. The partisan
trick resorted to just before the end OF
the present term for the plain purpose
OF embarrassing II not Of thwarting the
incoming administration, appears TO be
but sign of what il intended when the
new term begins. Instead Of concila-
ton, sincere union for the public good
hearty cooperation Of all branches OF
the city service, friendly conference
and fair consideration Of the claims OF
either side, the outlook is clouded with
set schemes Of strictly partisan
character, secret wheels within visible
wheels, determination to rule or block
the way, plpe-laying for future pollti'
cal ends, and the old strife-browing ele'
ments of confusion,
we regret this very much. And W.
express the sentiment OF the majority
Of our citizens. II IL strongly desired
that the legislative and executive de
partments Of the city shall be entire
ly harmonious. They cannot be, whei
personal or party ends are fostered by
either OF course there will natural!
be demands Of partisan characte
from both directions, for they canno
be obliterated in a single effort, eve
at the polls, But we believe they cal
all be settled amicably and fairly,
the public interest is made paramount
and IL the elected municipal officers ar
left to manage these matters withou
the domination or Interference of par
ty manipulators on either side.
The great and preponderating aim o
the people who united their forces o
the polls Last November, was TO estab
llsh and maintain a municipal govern
ment from which rank partisanshi
should be eliminated. 1t was hope
that the unseemly squabbling an
miserable dissensions of the pas
would be ended and that there woul
be union instead OF dscord and couI
tesy instead OF spite. We want cit
here worthy of its situation and oppol
tunities, and we will never have
unless its interests stand first and fore
most with its elected and appoInte
officers.
And we will add a gentle warnin
TO our friends who have plans In Vie
for future party success II Is this
II the people OF this city discover tina
the purpose they had in view in tn
fusion OF forces at the last election ha
been frustrated or INSTRUCTED, By eithe
party, the source OF the evil will
known and understood, and II vii
work far more TO the detriment tina