Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-07-17
NATURE or THE OPPOSITION,

The anti-"Mormon" prints pretend
To believe that the News" and the
large portion Of the people this paper
represents are opposed to progress
and improvements. The papers re-
4orrcd to are bowling themselves
hoarso these hot summer days. in a
frenzied effort to make their dupes be-
lleve that fasehood.
The facts record different story,
The people OF Utah whom the
spokesmen for the plunderbund refer
Ia as opposed to improvements, arc
rs all the world knows the most sue
cessful creators of prosperity OF mod
crn history. The history Of the Lat
ter-day Saints is the history of the
reclamation of the desert and the
transformation OF waste places into
gardens. II is the history Of the
foundation and development OF VIII
lagos and cities. of the construction
of railroads and telegraph lines, the
building of homes, churches. schools,
and temples. They are world renown-
cd for their success in improvements.
The Deseret News has always loyal
ly supported the policy of improve
ment 1t has even advocated the
policy of borrowing money when
needed for improvements. The
News" advocated the last bond issue
OF a million dollars when the Trib-
une practically opposed it and made
II necessary for the Council TO send
hack an at
to counteract that opposition. The
News" has always been on the side
of progress
The Church authorities today are
spending $4,000 on the paving of
Main street between North Temple
and South Temple streets. and they
are doing this as a voluntary tribute
to the general work of Improvement,
since none could compel that expen-
diture.
When. in the face Of these facts
the anti-"Mormon' prints represent
church members as opposed to pro-
gress and improvements, they simply
brand themselves as prevaricators and
falslfers of the most contemplate
type.
Let It be expressly stated and cleai~
ly understood that we are not opposea
TO any necessary Improvement the CITY
can afford. But we refuse to trust men
who have succeeded in obtaining con-
troI over the City's affairs by the cree
alton of religious strife instead of by
fair, truly American methods. Those
dictators-and we do not refer to the
council--do not deserve to be trusted.
The manner in which the last loan was |
spent is against II. That money was |
squandered. and to this day, the un-
auditor has not been permitted to pub |
lish true financial statement as re- /
auired by law. Do they deserve TO be
trusted2
Councilman Fernstrom, in the coun-
Gil meeting on Monday. speaking of the
request for signatures to a document
pledging the council TO an honest ex-
penditure Of the proposed loan. point
ed out that the so-caned American
majority had broken their pledges to
the Mayor. and then said
Here is document passed around
for signatures OF the members of the
city council pledging the words of the
members not TO use the proposed bond
issue for other purposes than those
for which 1t is voted. OF what possible
value is such pledge to such mem
What good Is a pledge from men whu
can not keep their plighted faith with
the mayor, who is the head Of their
That states the reason why the con-
element of this city refuses
10 trust the proceeds OF another bond
Issue to the present administration.
The citizens would. no doubt, vote the
money II the councllmen rep
resented the people. Opposition TO
10 graft is not opposition to improve
ment.