The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-09-23
THERE IS NO NEED FOR II.

We do not wish to seem uulind, but
the statement seems to be capable Of
demonstration that the leaders Of the
Citizens party have made a botch of it,
After which remark, let us add that
there was no need for it.
Now. it viii be conceded that good
government is the desire of nine out of
every ten who pinned their faith and
their hope to that movement. There
may have been an exception in the case
of the leaders. Maybe they wanted to
get political control for themselves.
Maybe they wanted TO repay the Re
publican party's valued services by de-
feating that party. But even they
wanted good government in Salt Lake.
We believe it is d safe proposition
that they can expect good government
from the Republican party if they can
get it anywhere. If they had waited till
the Republicans had held their conven-
ton; and if the Republicans had NOM
mated bad men for office; if good gov
eminent had palpably become impossi-
bic with the success of the Republicans,
then our friends who are continually
fighting the Republican organization
would have been warranted in calling
their convention, in starting their cam
paign, in seeking to save the city.
In the popular mind there is natural
tendency to non-partisan movements in
municipal affairs; a sentiment in favor
of all the people getting together and
making a strictly business ticket and
electins a strictly business set Of officers.
without any politics in it. The thing is
attractive. 1t appeals to the general
mind. We do not believe, however, that
i'm the cities where a popular wave has
swept the parties out of control and
their elected candidates out of office,
the people have been any better served.
UsuaIly-aud this is the undeniable his
tory Of it-such waves of popular tri-
umph are followed by very disheartening
disappointments, failure Of officials to
do their duty, incompetence, Indifference
insolence. and open defalcation.
But this was not even one of those
waves. When the Citizens party was
suggested many men believed it a good
thing, and gave their assent to it, be
lieving it a cause so fair the men of the
city would instantly and heartily give it
their enthusiastic endorsement. But
nothing Of the kind happened. The bust
ness men did not respond. The pro-
fessionaI men kept away from it. The
voters in general failed to see in it any
thing which promised them better than
continued fealty to their own. parties
would give-nor as much. Instead of a
wave Of popular support, the movement
struggled through hardships to mistake.
And now it is in a tangle
There is a fair and good way 10 get
out. The leaders Of the Citizens party
have been unfortunate in their guidance.
Let them make amends by openly de-
claring they will wait till the Republican
and then every one who
looked favorably on the Citizens cause
set into the Republican ranks and
work heartily for the success Of that
party.
They want good government As
nearly as anything that can be guaran-
teed, that viii be given by the Republi-
can party. The best man available
viii be nominated for mayor. If the
choice of the convention be a good man
and it is 10 the interest Of the Re
pubHcans TO name that sort of man
viii not the city be more likely to
have good government, with a party J