Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-01-05
REGENERATION, NOT REFORM.

The organ of the so-called American
party has been urging tho city officers
lately to inaugrrate reforms In me "a
mlnistrotlon OF public affairs. has 'he
organ referred 10 experienced u change
of heart on this new year,
we fear not. The fact is that there
has been no confession of wrong-doins
in tho past. No statement has APP
paared as to what reforms are demand
cd. 70 call for reform IN genera
way ia useless. Even hypocrites some
times DO that, to hide their insincerity
under the cloak of respectability. AS
long as the particular evils are not de-
nounced and abandoned, there VIII be
no change of policy, in reality.
What is needed Is city administra-
ton that is entirely divorced from the
party that originated in gigantic con-
spiracy to use the city government Tor
purposes OF personal revenge and aS-
grandizement Has anyone forgotten
the origin, and the originators. OF that
marty? The city needs public officers
who are capable business men, honest
and public-spuited. willing to serve the
community for the good of the citizens
and who are not responsible TO politi-
cal "bosses" but to the people alone
and to their own consciences. 1t Is
not reform that this city needs just
now; It is a radical change from dishon-
esty to honesty. from hypocrisy anu
falsehood 20 truth and righteousness IL
is civic regeneration. The city has
at times, had honest administrators
of It's affairs. II has had officers VINO
left the community without debt ana
with big surplus in the treasury ana
that when times were hard. Such men
are needed now more than ever. To
find the right kind of mer to take care
OF the public interests Will be the ohly
question at the next city election. IL
is lot question of reform nut Oh
an entirely different regime.
As we have said reform is not
wanted by the party organ. 1t does
not ask that the city be freed from the
evil of gambling; nor that the ordin-
ances pertaining TO the, closing OF sa-
looms and amusement houses on sun
days be enforced. 1t does not ask THAT
the money of the taxpayers be placed
where II would draw interest, and TO
that extent tighten the heavy burdens
of the people, nor that the social Vice
be confined to the narrowest possible
limits. If II cannot be abolished. It's
cry for reform is only change of
tactics, not of the original policy
1t Is said that the crocodile Is fol-
lowed by bird which makes a feast OF
the numerous insects that live on the
body of the reptile. In exchange for
this favor the bird serves as sentinel,
1t utters a peculiar cry that warns the
big amphibian OF the approach of any
danger 1t may be able to detect from
its loftier heights In the air. The anti
Mormon" organ has seen a danger TO
its beloved cause and uttered cry
of warning. 1t has thought that as
election time draws near, 1t is noss>-
sary to advocate reform" again, as u
did once before. 1t hopes TO fool all
the people again. all the time. But it
does not want reform. 1t only wants
to preserve the alligator, for the food
il carries on its back.
The city OF Chicago presents a lesson
that should be noticed. For years
Chicago reformers, slngly and concert
edly. Numbered against civic unrlght-
eousness. Conditions grew worse, FiN-
ally. a hundred leading citizens Of all
parties formed a civic league TO pub
tt.h hafore aoch aIaction the public rec