The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-01-02
IN THE ToBoeeAn.

On THE To8oeeAn.
If Councilman Mulvey would tell ex-
actly why he sent in his resignation
and why ne permitted the resignation
TO be withdrawn before action could be
taken on it, the people of Salt Lake
would get some interesting inside in
formation as to the workings of the
coterie which dominates the "Ameri-
can" party. So far. Mr.. Mulvey has
maintained silence as to details, all
though he has said for publication that
he has tolerated some things in the
council which were not right, and he
explains his withdrawal by saying he
had been persuaded to remain because
he is chairman of the water committee
which has some important business
coming before it soon.
Back of this councilman's revolt
against his partys methods was some
deeper cause than a mere personal
grievance. One cause. 1t is known. is
the arbitrary assumption of power by
the chief of police for the punishment
of men who refused to contribute cam
paign funds to the party-a shameful
abuse of authority, if the charges made
I'm the council are true. 1t is pretty
well understood, too, that Mr.. Mulvey
has been dissatisfied with the admin
istration's conduct of city business, and
that his efforts to secure some improve
ment have been refused by the coterie
OF the party which rules the council.
But there must be some deeper reason
for his action. because he is not given
to outbursts OF this sort, and evidently
meant to break with his party alto
gether until he was cajoled into post
poning his resignation
II the councilman had good cause for
resignation. it is due the public to
know what that cause is. and Mr.
Mulvey owes il TO himself and his con-
stituents. now that he has decided tC
remain. to talk out in meeting and dc
a public service by securing the mum.
are so badly needed.
It Is worth noting that in its ISSUE
yesterday the Tribune, which has beer
the defender and apologist of tn
Thompson administration, asks thes
questions of the party representative
in office:
mighty cause to which you wer
pledged by every honorable obligation
that can be imposed upon mankind?
"Have you shown such a shining de
votion 10 the public veal that the Who'll
city rises in acclaim of praise o
American party rule?
Have you demonstrated to Utah tina
a superior care of her funds, that tn
interests of her taxpayers, that tn
progress of her institutions, that tn
harmony of her public life will be con
served-if her people will place j
hands like yours the government of tn
state and her counties?'
The taxpayers and citizens Of Sa
Lake know the answer to every or
Of these questions without inquiry. TIL
American" administration has been
sore disappointment. 1t came into Of
flee pledged to reform every municip'
abuse; it has reformed none. 1t ha
an opportunity to give the city the be'
administration it had ever known;
has outdone the worst in weakness an
downright wrong. 1t found a gres
trust fund in the treasury and has dis
sipated it in outrageous payments I
favored contractors, in increased sals
ries and the addition of unrecessar
employees to the payrolls. 1t has bee
wasteful and extravagant and at II
same time has neglected every branc
of the public service.
It's police department has been di
graced by a scandal that would hay
driven the chief from office if the par
had done the square thing by the pul
lie; the police power has been us,
70 punish political offenses, and the d
partment has been converted into
branch office of the party organizatio
Some few good men are in the coun,
for the party. but their efforts ha'
awaited nothing as against the pow
of the men who cater to contracto
and use their office as a brokera
business handling municipal appoin
ments. The street department has be-
an offense, and worse, and the 9th