Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-10-28
NOT AGAINST IMPROVEMENTS.

Tie wall that comes from the den
down the street, to the effect that inc
Enormous" have always resisted I'M
provetnenis, is really funny. Look ut
the ,Tenrbie block, and the magnificent
buildings surrounding it. Look ut the
resources developed all over Utah, and
the industries that make it possible for
people 10 live here! Look at the homes
that adorn the valleys OF fair Utah!
The truth is that Utah while Brig
ham Young was one OF the leading
spirits here, developed moro rapidly
than after the advent of anti Mormon
ISM" 1t was through the splendid eff
forts Of such men rs Brigham Young
and his associates that thousands oil
settlers. were attracted to Utah. at n
time when few attractions were visi-
I. bic and 1t meant sacrifice to settle here.
They planned settlements. and laid the
foundations of magnificent public build
ings. They founded industries and con-
structcd bridges, roads, railroads and
telegraph lines. Twenty-Five years
after the first settlement Utah was the
object OF admiration of every visitor.
What it would, have been today but
for the anti-"Mormon" insanity that
was injected into her political life can
best DO Judged from the progress Of
GONE Of our neighbors.
The truth is. further. than whatever
real progress has been made here In
later years. is due to the Latter day
Saints. They have maintained n Blu
reau of Information that has advertised
Utah better than any other agency.
They have missionaries all over the
world who. when occasion requires,
never hesitate to speak well of Utah.
They have contributed more than their
share to the improvement of Salt Lake
City. and done SO willingly though
slandercd and ridIculed Willie spending
money for the benefit of all.
On the other hand. the others have
DETAINED Utah by all the means at their
command. They have marked the
state as an octopus on the map. They
have proclaimed the infamous false
hood that "gcntiles' cannot live in
Utah, or do business here: that the
Church controls all enterprises here.
and that there is n hierarchy" here
that Is something awfully dreadful. as
It were. BY such vile ISLANDERS. dssein-
7 mated everywhere, they have retarded
progress and brought business to the
verge of collapse. And. having ac-
complishcd this much. they set up the
wall, that the .'Mormons" are against
every effort at Improvement! What
have they done beyond running the
City in debt? What Industries have
they fostercd or founded, except the
'stockade" business and its access
series?
We are not against any Improvement
the City. County. or state can afford,
We are even in favor of n reasonable
indebtedness, when money Is needed
for necessary improvements, such as
water, sewers, etc, etc. But we are
against the policy of mortgaglng the
peoples property for the benefit OF
grafters. We have no objection to non
"Mor,nonS" in office, provided they arc
good citizens and efficient. but we do
protest against making anti-"Mor-
lnonism," or any other anti-churchism,
q political issue, We recognize that
every one has II perfect right to his re-
ligious prefcrment. and that those who
are anti-"Mormons" have the privilege
under our flag to nurse that sentiment
rs tenderly as Il mother her deformeo
offspring; there is no question about
that; but we do not recognize the rish'
Of anyone to make 1t II political issue II
this country, particularly II 1t Is done
for purposes of robbery. Those who dc
so are traitors to American principles
of freedom. and those who follow then
commit serious mistake.