The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-11-29
THE BEGINNING OF PROGRESS

Go through our city and you will find
tIon; some who like dirt, who lllte to
have their cow In the house and their
chickens in the huttery; who Ike to
have their pigs and children near enough
for them to feed together; and their
children are as naughty and filthy as
they can be.-aFrom sermon OF President
Jedediah NJ. Grant, In Salt Lake bowery,
October 70. 1856; Journal OF Discourses,
volume 4, page l52.
The Tribune does not reproduce this
matter for the purpose of bemcaning
the Mormon people Of that time. for
they were not responsible for the condi.
tion of squalor described by Mr.. Grant
Being impoverished by the draining ex-
actions constantly made upon them by
their leaders, tho saints were unable
to apply the results Of their toll to the
bettermeut of their own condition. But
the little story told by President Jede-
diah NJ. Grant exposes the sort of
<progressivencss that actuated The
leaders in early days, and about which
Mormon newspapers and pulpiteers are
/ fond Of boasting.
| The first real progress that was ever
experienced in Utah Territory came to
! it through tho efforts OF Gentiles. In
the beginning it was uphill work, be-
cause the priesthood put every stone in
J their way that they could lay hands
on. They endeavored to prevent Cen
tile merchants from doing business,
which would give to the Mormon peo-
| pie the benefit of competition. They
warned the saints to trade only with
their brethren, even though they were
thus compelled to pay two prices for
their goods; and in order to frighten the
people into obedience to this command
they promised them practical damna.
ton in case of disobedience. The lead
ers Of the Mormon church endeavored
to stife the mining industry, inaugn,
rated here by Gentiles, although they
we'll knew that it would bring wealth
and progress to the community. Their
fear was that advance along this par.
ticular line would bring an influx OF
the Gentle clement; and this meant
that their power to perpetuate the pri
walton and filth depicted by Mr.. Grant
would be lessened. The hierarchs spent
the substance Of the people upon the
construction of costly temples for the
celebration Of their stupid mummeries
thus robbing the public interest of 6
big share OF the means that should
have been put into public improve
ments. The streets and public high
ways were neglected IN favor OF tht
construction of what were then consid
cred to be palatial residences for the
chief priests and their numerous fam
lilies. 4 system of waterworks was no
Gentle had set the example by laying ;
private pipe line from City creel
down to what were called the Palac,
baths on Commercial street. In fact
this was the first public bath house in
stalled in the interest of public cleanli
ness. Sewerage was but q dream
which, when thought Of and suggested
by Gentiles, was opposed by the Des
eret News, which then, as now, spok
for the chiefs Of the church. Stagnan
pools were permitted TO reek out thei
disease breeding effuvia in the busi
| ness pOl tIVuo VI CuS Guy, w ul!c lu
drinking water was dipped up from be
fouled bitches or out of wells contain
ing obnoxious surface drainage. In
stead of utilizing the means Of the peo
pie for the betterment of these condi
tions, the substance of the communit,
was absorbed into the tithe fund anc
eaten up for church purposes and il
the enrichment of the leaders. TIL
prophets and their favorites had, in tn
first place, taken to themselves all th,
choice pieces of land in the city, II
the president Of the church fell severa
valuable blocks in the central portion
to his counselors and the twelve cam,
each block of great value, even a
that time; and the less desirable por
tions were doled out to the follower
at nominal price, and even these re
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