Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-08-26
NOW LET STRIFE CEASE,

of this city. who may, unfortunately
have voted the so-called American
ticket, to consider the situation SER
iously If they will do so, they will, I'M
doubtedly, come to the conclusion that
a change of policy is in order.
In the first place. they win discover
that the very reason for the organiza-
ton of the party was the fimsiest of
pretexts. that could not bear the touch
OF impartial investigation, 1t was al
legged that a new party had to he or
Eanized because Of the interference by
tho Church in politics. But this allega-
ton was demonstrated to be false be-
fore the highest legislative tribunal
OF the land why continue an organ
ization that has been proved TO be
based upon n falsehood?
In the second place by giving the
subject sm,te thought. they viii find
that the very enemies OF the Church.
who accuse 1t of interference in pol
itics, are doing that of whirh
they accuse the Saints. Mr., V. s. Peet
has given the positive proof of this In a
contribution to the Truth, in which he
says III part:
ION September 81, 1908. the following
resolution was introduced in the salt
Lake Ministerial association; Resolved,
that IL be the sense of this Ministerial
association that the time has come for
the election of an out-and-out Gentle
mayor and city council, the majority
of the members of which win not be
Of
hierarchy This resolution was pub
lished In the daily papers, and from
these church resolutions sprang the
Amerikearns party"
Is any further evidence needed to
prove the hypocrisy of the contention
for non-interference by ecclesiasts In
politics? The total disfranchisement of
one class of citizens because of their
religion, was the evident aim of the
founders of the party. But that is I'M
American. The accomplishment of that
plot would be dangerous, as opening the
way for further assaults upon the
rights of citizens, whose religion may
happen TO be unpopular in one locality
or another. No American citizen can
afford to be party to such dangerous
schemes.
That The war OF the party manipula-
tors is wholly religious, was proved
again by the recent unwarranted az
sault upon capable and honest police
officers because of their affiliatlon with
the Church. II those attacks We're in
terpreted according TO the spirit of the
language used, they would simply mean
that efficiency In the service IL not
wanted, but that the lawless element
must have permission to run the city
unmolested. Can decent citizens follow
such n lead?
But further consideration OF the sit
nation would bring up the fact that the
government given by the pretenders
has proven a dismal failure. morally
economically and every other way. AS
soon as the new administration took
charge movement set in toward this
city of all kinds of disreputable charac-
ters, with the result that in a short
time vices flourished in the open as new
er before in the history OF the commun-
ity. Open saloons and Sunday amuse-
ments, In defiance of both law and pub
lie sentiment. became the rule. The
streets were neglected, until. as every
body remembers, many of them became
almost impossible, and yet public
money was spent at reckless rate. and
a deficit was incurred which the ex-
perts of the party seem unable to ac-
count for satisfactorily. The origina-
tors have proved themselves false to
every public trust. This year. 1t Is true,
they have forced some improvements,
chiefly along the lines planned and
commenced by the previous admlnistra-
ton. and now they claim the credit
for the very improvements they OPP
posed until they themselves could han
die the money for the benefit of party
helpers, as well as the public, 1t Is
all grand stand play, sham and hypoc-
rIsy. Is this policy worth while con
timing?
Finally IT. viii strike the intelligent
citizen who considers these matters
that recent events have amply proved
that there Is no reason for the contlnu-
nnce Of strife and contention. II has
been proved that the majority OF tn,
people here are sick and tired OF quar-,
rel and that they can unite In the sup
port Of honest clean city officials. VIVA
is the use then OF trying 10 array class
against class on religious lines? Wh'
derives any benefit therefrom, II not tn,
;nstigators pf the strife, who hope
to get away with the spoils while thu
citizens are hghting7
Everything considered the tim
should now be opportune for abandon
ing a policy that has proved a disap
polntment TO It's best supporters and tn
adoption OF the only course that I
worthy of the name American" III
policy Of pulling together for the mp
building OF the greater salt Lake, alon
lines OF a safe and sane economy. Bu
this win never be as long as the insan
fight upon a church Is kept up. IL
that fight cease. and peace and unit
and consequent prosperity viii prevail