The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-08-20
WHY NOT INVESTIGATED

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In view Of the conditions existing 1
Utah, which call for affirmative descriI
tion at times, and which bring impr
don't and false denials from timo /
time, The Tribune has heretofore sue
gested an investigation by the Hous
OF Representatives of the actual politi
cal, moral. and business conditions il
Utah, the latter relating especially t.
tho affliation of the local sugar ant
salt trusts with the big trusts of tn
country; this afiliation having beer
completely established as to sugar b,
recent Investigations.
The disputed matters may be brief,
stated as the continued existence o.
polygamy and polygamous relations
| tho mixture Of ecclesiasticism and bust
ness, as shown by the headship OF
President Smith OF the church in sc
many commercial enterprises; the dom
ination of the church leaders in poll
tics, as shown in their control OF
conventions and elections; and the
swinging of large masses Of the church
votes from one party to another as oc.
casion serves; and the general un.
American sentiment here and the stolid
indifference to hierarchic control in
temporal affairs of all kinds.
The Tribune alleges these conditions
to exist. 1t is supported In these
charges by the facts Of record, and
especially by election returns, by the
political utterances of various party
leaders, and by facts within every.
body's knowledge. But the church organ
and church politicians stolidly deny
these facts, and roundly abuse those
who expose the actual conditions and
the truth Of the matter as it notorious
ly exists.
Now, 1t is evident that no progress
is made by these statements Of facts
when the majority interest unserupul-
ously, vehemently, and in the face
II abundant proof, constantly denies
what every one knows to exist People
abroad reading the charges and denials,
and not knowing the facts, are be-
Yildered and are apt to think that il
$ about standoff, and that one side
S as much entitled to belief as the
'ther.
Under these conditions, we put it up
o the church politicians and leaders
whether they ought not, in their own
interests, and in the interests of truth
nd community welfare, to join with
he Tribune in asking the House of
representatives to appoint committee
o investigate public affairs in Utah.
We are all the moro anxious to have
his investigation made because we
ire of the scandalously false, stubborn,
nd altogether unjustifable denials of
he church writers and speakers. We
'ish n tribunal, impartial and yet
nxious to get the truth, to hear and
ecide on all these matters.
The House committees Of investipa-
ion In various directions have done ex-
client work, as is shown by the tele-
raphie reports from day to day. They
ave made splendid investigation of
ne general sugar trust; they have in.
estigated the steel trust to startling
,sults. They have investigated the
after of Justice Days portrait, fixing
he misappropriation of money on two
lbordinates in the departments, and
ave called upon the President to act
to those persons. They have found
lch a system of demoralization and
rbltrary terrorism in the U. S. De-
artment of Agriculture as Is shock.
Ugly detrimental to the public inter
It; and in general wherever the House
'mmittees of investigation have nut
their probes, they have done good
Id commendable work.
We believe that this good work ,
ond continue if extended to Utah.
e therefore make the suggestion, and
TX the corroboration of the church
riters and speakers in having it car /. .
ed out, that the House appoint
'eclal Investigating committee to
me here and look into conditions: tn
ke testimony regarding public affairs !,
Utah, and make report thereon. IF ..
e church writers and speakers are :.
NEST. 1t seems to US that they should +
ready to support this proposition, so :
at the facts will be got out, and
read before the country in such form
will convince the public of the truth
ID clarity the situation. What do the a
urch authorities say to this PROPOSE. !.
)ni I