Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-10-02
ABOUT THE MACHINE, ="

The necessity OF exercising the rights
and privileges OF citizenship was never
more evident than now II Is time
when every individual should perform
the duties attending the elective fran
chise. These include taking part In tho
preliminary movements rs well as In
the election that Is to be their culmin-
alton. The primaries are of primary
Importance. In them the representa-
tlyes Of the masses are chosen to act
IN their stead in the conventions Mt
which the candidates are 10 be selected.
That they should be competent and
honorable persons needs no argument.
1t Ia In the power OF the people to see
that none others are sent.
We hear much talk about "the ma
chine" In politics. Efforts are made to
divide parties by declaimlng against
''the machine But II political af-
fairs are closely examined It viii be
found that there Is some kind Of neu-
cleus, or clique, or body Of active men
that is effective in the party workings
and that appears to be necessary
handspring to success. But we concede
that this should be composed OF persons
chosen by the body to perform the
needful work and not of self-appointed
bosses who assume to dictate their
fellows. But it Will also be seen that
the loudest shouters against the
machine" will form into another and
very similar combine for the same pur-
pose when opportunity presents, This
IS no apology or argument In favor
OF machine politics, but the result OF
observation OF actual conditions.
Is there any requirement, moral or
in any way essential, that citizens shall
move under the domination OF a
.'machlne?" We know OF none. A
convention Of delegates should be COM
posed of rational individuals who win
reflect the views OF the people who Sc
lected them. II they do not like the
machine" there Is nothing that we
know OF to compel them to be DOM
mated by it. Have they not their free
dom? Can they not make the public
welfare, as they view It. their first con-
sheraton? IL there is a machine
that operates for any other end must
they be moved by it like automatons ?
We are inclined to believe that mucn
of the clauor about "the machine" IL
raised by opponents of party TO split
1t into factions. And we notice that
the cry comes very often also from dis
appointed oflice-seekers and their per-
sonal supporters within their own par
ty. When they are defeated for nom
ination 1t is "the machine" that is held
responsible. We perceive, too, that
when the hubbub comes from an OPP
posing party. machine is TO be
found within It's own ranks, moving on
a similar principle TO that of the other
machine that Is held up TO reproba-
ton. We therefore conclude that there
is good deal OF humbug in the up
roar.
The remedy for the alleged evil Is ac-
tion instead Of inertia by the masses OF
the citizens. Interest should be taken
IN public affairs by every man and
woman in tho community. They are
or ought to be entirely free to do that
which they understand to be right as to
the candidates for public Office, and no
matter what pretenslons are made,
should support those who represent
sound principles and policies recognize
ing the rights and liberties OF all citl-
zens OF whatever creed or party or
station. Any faction or aspirant that
Is arrayed against person or n people
on account Of their religious procliyi-
ties, Is an enemy to society and foe
10 that liberty to establish and MAIN
tain which this republic was founded
Every cry that is raised and every
pretext put forth as an excuse for the
claims OF such a combination. should be
recognized by people who are not blind
ed by sophIstry and deafened by cla-
NOR, as opposed to real Americanism
and as the sheerest Hypocrisy To pcin
In such an attempt TO foist upon the
state conspiracy OF that character. Is
10 aid In outrageous plotting against
The public peace and the rights OF free
men. to bring into the worst kind OF
bondage the inhabitants OF state
where liberty ought TO prevail TO the
utmost possible extent compatible with
The rights of all,
In echoing the cry against one ma !.
shine fellow citizens, take care YOU do
not lose your balance while shouting
and fall into the meshes OF a worse
machine, and become involved IN some
hing that may take much time and
labor 70 break up, but win as surely
come "a destruction as has every IL
legitimate temporary combination not
founded on principle, since the esiab-
shment Of this national government.
Beware Of a machine" that Is work.
ng for evil under tho pretence of do
ng good, and which viii go to smash as
certain as that truth viii triumph and
wrong will be finally condemned.