The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-10-22
Communication

Editor OF The Herald Republican:
In contemplating the present situa-
ton with a view to determining the
wisest and best manner in which TO
make up my ballot at the coming gen.
erai election, am led TO believe there
is one vital point-that OF contrast be-
tween the present and comparatively
recent past in Utah. giving a valuable
lesson of experience-which has not
yet received sufficient attention to i'm
press its real worth upon the minds
of the people: hence this communica-
ton for your consideration
frequently hear people say they do
not consider political parties, but vote
for men. That would be all right if the
goodness of the man represented the
policy that he viii follow. But it does
not; the party which dominates and
supports him fOrmulates the policy in
500 cases out Of a thousand. There
fore, in actual practice, the policy he
will follow IS OF vastly greater i'm
port than our estimate OF the individ-
ual. Experience has taught me that
il is much safer to have mediocre
man representing a wise party policy
than a very brilliant man who repre-
sents a poor policy Of governmental
conduct. II the brilliant man really
were wise, and without Interior mo-
tives, il would seem that he would seek
to advocate the wiser policy even when
under the necessity or modifying po-
litical distractions.
Policy, Not Men.
1t is the policy that viii result from
the way we cast our vote, therefore,
that requires our chief consideration;
although in this case we appear 10
have fairly good men on either side,
as the national parties go. The pol
icy OF each, or its effect upon the peO-
pie, can be readily measured by the
contrast suggested, as shown clearly in
the subjOined statement OF facts:
1. Ten years ago, Utah came into
line with the Republican national pol
icy, and as a result OF the election OF
1900, the electoral vote OF this state for
the first time was cast for Repub1-
can President, William Mckinley.
2 Ten years ago. Utah had no ma
tional standing that could be regarded
as either commendable or enjoyab able,
Notwithstanding the good quality OF
her citizens
8. Ten years ago, people who went
to the eastern states from Utah, even
on a brief visit, were subjected TO a
measure OF cOntumely and adverse crit
icism both humiliating and injurious.
They were met with a volume of un-
pleasant reminders and unjust accusa-
lions. These are matters OF known
painful history 10 those who exper-
fenced them.
4. Now, all this Is changed, and
changed by the attitude OF Utah politi-
cally. This change for the better is a
matter OF recent history, the most not
able events OF which have transpired
during that time in which the present
congressional delegation has repre-
scented Utah.
5. Now. Utah has a most excellent
and influential standing nationally, and
the good quality Of her citizenship is
both recognized and appreciated.
Utah Not Humiilated Now.
6. Now. when a man goes from Utah
10 the eastern centers OF business he
is not subjected 10 cOntumely. He is
not Inundated by unpleasant re-
minders and unjust accusations. He is
received as an equal. He IS met with
the frank and sincere expression that
Utah is great state; that the people
of Utah are a good people; that their
accomplishments in irrigated and dry
farming, in the mining and other in
dustrles, are a revelation TO the world;
and that Utah has a splendid congress
siOnal delegation in Washington. This
latter feature is never omitted, for
the national prominence of that dele
cation is uppermOst in the minds OF
the people Of the eastern states when
ever Utah is mentioned.
Z. Senators Reed Smoot and George
sutherland, and Congressman Joseph
Howell, by their clean personal record
and wise political affiliations. have
been largely Instrumental in effecting
mental wisdom OF the whole work was
the good judgment OF the Utah voters
which sustained the party policy rep
resented by those men, and placed
them IN that position. Without the
policy which placed these men on the
platform Of national influence, they
would have been mere nOnentities, and
Utah would have reaped little benefit
from their Office-hOlding.
In this matter at least, II is estab-
lished beyond dispute that the policy
is paramount. and the man but sec
ondary.
And this matter OF the line of policy
that viii be of Utah's welfare is
squarely face to face with the voter
Does the Utah voter want to throw
away the advantages brought in the
change from ten years ago. as here
pointed out2
Influential National Standing.
Does the Utah voter want this state
to forsake its present influential ma
tional standing by voting directly for
a congressman, or for legislators 10
elect a senator. whose political affilia-
tons VIII be contrary land therefore
unwise) to those beneficial ones now
existing?
bOcc tH6 lIan voter want 10 cut
away from the honorable and powerful
national administration whose friend
ship and counsel are the pearl OF great
est price in the governmental diadem
which Utah wears?
Does the Utah voter want to aban-
don the proud and honored position OF
this states present prestige and fu.
ture glorious national prospects. and
sink to the humiliation endured ter
rears and more ago.
-..sse are the questions that came
up hard and fast to me, as voter, from
the vital point OF view l have sug.
rested. I have studied them closely
calmly. carefully. and am ready Il
give answer to all in the same mono.
syllable They are questions which
now are up to every voter. whether Of
not he lakes them seriously, to answer
at the ballot box on November 8: and
trat is why 1 have placed them OF
paper.
believe that every voter should b
informed. should take self seriously
and in consequence thereof. perform