The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-05-19
SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, THURSDAY MORNING 49,

ago discussion was Indulged in respect
| Ing the direct primary law. One member
| present. who was apparently disturbed
at the scope OF the provisions OF the new
reform species of legislation, made the
| suggestion that the newspapers of the
| respective political parties stand togeth-
conclude to be for their best interests to
the offices OF the state. His suggestion
met with some favor, until some one
present observed that this would be In
total disregard of the spirit OF the direct
primary law and would only serve to
transfer the machine from the politicians
to the press. This ended this contention.
It died in its inception and properly so.
over in Fremont county the middle OF
the winter weekly paper, owned or
controlled by an appolntee OF the pres
enr state administration went over to
the support OF the state chairman at
the close OF an auction sale for debt
and espoused his political fortunes for
two or three issues only. Then Mt the
close OF three or four hurried trips OF
a representative OF the governor II COL
lapsed In It's devotion To the chairman.
was the Rexburg Standard. Within a
week the Teton Peak Chronicle an
nouneed throush Its eolnmns agInn that 1t had
paper back TO his support.
Pertinent Questions.
Now in the name OF that enlighten-
ment which the spirit Of our institutions
Invoke, in what sort OF craftsmanship
arc we dealing? What influence can the
Rexburg Standard exert and what brand
of regard would any self respecting NOR
tai give TO n constituency that would
be Influenced by anything which ap-
to dispute the statement of the st. An
thony paper, and the conclusion is that
It's version was accurate.
ls II any wonder that the good peo-
pie OF Idaho are alive 10 the necessities
OF moral uplift In public men and pub
lie circulating mediums?
Over In Pittshurg we see an example
OF men purchased for the enactment of
special privilege ordinances This did
not come to light through newspapers,
for they were subsidized.
Is II possible that Idaho must have a
grand jury in several of the ooun-
ties OF this state 10 make legal Inquiry
into the acts OF her officials? Shall we
determine. through the channels of the
land board have dealt in Carey act lands ::
what contracts have been let to their Of
flee assistants; what cases state Off
cials have appeared in against the in
inducement offered TO do so; what titles
have passed TO lands through faulty ap-
pralsements or sales throughout the
various counties OF the state; what. II
any. bonuses the people Of Carey act
projects have paid for townsites or for
railroads; what efforts have been made
and why. to invest the reserve Carey act
fund OF the state In irrigation bonds
before any law In authorization thereof:
what money has been paid to newspa-
pers TO swerve them In their political
conclusions. what nducement impelled
the granting OF a release OF thousands
OF acres of land six months before the
law OF the board permitted IL to be re-
leased: what reason existed for advertis-
ing state school land situated north Of
Idaho Falls In Blackfoot newspaper;
what officials have granted title TO state
lands without the statutory advertise
ment; what Carey act projects have been
granted, I'm the face Of opposition appli-
cations. at $25 an acre for water and
afterwards raised to $50 an acre when the
opposition had vanished?
All OF these things are side lights to
an approaching campaign at present. but
from the temper of the people, as lndl-
Gated by conferences and by n number
of hlghgrade newspapers In the state.
they may become the subjects OF inter
esting court Investigations, even before
Church. the deposed register has said
enough in justification OF himself TO
prove that he was a part and parcel Of
a system. Governor Brady has said that
Church was n part OF a system.
Who is in the system?
The governor took the head OF the pro-
cession when the exposures Of attempt
ed graft came TO light Is he power
less TO proceed? Is he hampered by the
fact that his official legal adviser. the
attorney general Is a part OF this sys-
tenn? Are there others of his official
family? II So ne should take the public
the exact condition. and not leave this
important. embarrassing and altogether
distasteful task TO either the courts or
the patriotic newspa perS TO exploit.