The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1907-11-09

bers to six church men, giving clear majority ot
three.
Both the Democratic and Republican wings of the
church political movement sought to obscure the
American issue in Salt Lake. They insisted upon a
discussion of extraneous questions and minor issues
but in this work of attempted transfer of popular
attention they were unsuccessful. The American
people of Salt Lake realized that the fight was be-
tween the herarchs to regain control of their citadel
and the American citizenship OF this Nation which,
having taken that fortress refused to be dslodged
Profound satisfaction must be felt by the entire
country in the knowledge that Salt Lake remains
enfranchsed. The city has progressed during the
last two years never before in its history What
may have been the criticisms of some phases
of the municipal government, the taxpayers have
demonstrated a general satisfaction with American
party rule. Nearly twenty thousand new population
have been added, and the city has inaugurated
system of public improvements worthy of me-
tropo1is
But even the great qualification of today is less
in magnitude than the hope which this victory gives
for future rule of American citizenship in the Inter
mountain country. This fight demonstrates that the
Mormon Chiefs like most tyrants are cowardly
when resoluely opposed. Again and again during
this campaign they sought to select of their two
candidates for the mayora1ty, one upon whom all
their strength should be concentrated In some of
the wards, despite the protests of staunch party men,
the church forced fusion on the counclmanic ticket
1t intended to practically retire set of its can
es-discriminatey selected from the two par
ties-in favor of the other set of candidates, and
to give to the chosen the entire vote of both
its Democratic and Republican parties At each step
which the church took to effect this end the Amer-
can party raised the laugh. The plot was exposed
from day to day, and the herarchs, terrified by the
showing, were compelled to change their plans as
often as made.
The utter inability of the Mormon church chiefs
to hold their political power, when American citizens
stand unitedly intrepd1y and intelligently against
them, is demonstrated AS they have lost Salt Lake
City, by determined opposition the county of
Salt Lake and the State of Utah, and then all the
country, be taken from their de-
basng rule. Like many other tyrants of history
they quick to flee. They have in their souls tie
cowardice of bad cause Most of them are amen
able to the law for many crimes; most of them
are devoted to SELF and therefore when resolute
opposition stands in their way they take personal
fright.
AS these coward tyrants changed their front from
hour to hour in the municipal campaign just closed
in Salt Lake, leaving their followers all at sea
to what was desired, so they will present to fur
her American aggressions similar vacillating
terror.
Doubtless the American party Of Utah will realize
rom this superb triumph in Salt Lake the readiness
IF the people of the State to enranchise themselves
rom priesty rule From this splendid central victory
he line of battle should be extended throughout all
Utah and the Intermountain country-unt1 every
,riest1y tyrant and every sycophantc political ally
If the polygamous crowd is retired from public
authority.