The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-09-27
FEDERAL BUNCH sUBTERFUGE

For reasons best known 10 them
selves. the Federal bunch ward work
ers who met Thursday evening for the
purpose of putting party ticket in
the field, suddenly changed front and
assailed the partisan spirit wherever
it might be found. They attacked the
Socialists for holding party conven-
ton, Esassed' - the Democrats for even
thinking OF such a thing, and then
quietly passed the word that certain
men were TO receive the party support
Whether or not the people are to
be deceived by a subtcrfugc of this
kind remains to be seen. At all events,
the principal speakers at the meeting
aired their grievances against the pres
ent commission and evinced a strong
sentiment IN favor Of taking the lid
off and making this a wide open city.
According to the machine organ 5
report Of the proceedings, the prevail
ing sentiments were almost identical
in phrase and feeling with those set
forth in the platform Of an aspirant
whose candidacy for a commissioner
ship has been announced In his person
al organ.
1t seems to be the prevailing opinion
ever since that declaration Of indie
pendence appeared that it was merely
an excuse Of the paper giving it prom
inence, to set before its readers the
views of man after its own heart.
oc
legged advertisement, the effect of its
chief publisher to forestall any com
ment on its publication, the mutual
animus Of writer and publisher, the
patent attempt to express, over any
sort of signature, its own malicious
sentiments. reveals a departure in po-
litical journalism as amusing as it is
unique.
This concerted effort on the part Of
certain interests and politicians to dis
credit the city administration for con-
ditions for which human nature every
where is responsible, and to damn Of
ficials whether they do or don't do
anything the: disgruntled bunch can
think up, seems to point to wide-open
policy. Any chump may find fault,
and any politician may find something
on which to 60 before the people, but
the whole issue in the present munich
pal campaign, stripped Of all disguise
and side issues, is the police depart
ment.
When the present chief was appoint
ed, it was over the protest of the
Smoot machine. It's hencbmen carried
threats to the commissioners-elect as to
what they might expect if Grant were
chosen. To the extent of their ability
and opportunity these politicians have
carried out their. threats, in their organ
and through various agencies The
grossest misrepresentation of the ad-
ministration has been published and
circulated In ways at which they are
adopts from long practice. And now
the campaign is on to put the finishing
touches to the carrying out Of their
threats.
Two new commissioners elected by
the machine, holding the views set out
in tho advertisement editorial, feeling
the same antipathy for the chief Of
police as has been shown upon every
occasion by the organ of the Smoot
machine and those responsible for it's
policy, might perfect a combination and
force Grants retirement, which is the
end sought by the reactionary element.
Whether he goes out or remains at
the head of the police department is no
particular concern of The Tribune, ex-
cept that we believe he has sought 10
enforce the law impartially and hon.
estly, and he is to be commended to
that extent. But we call attention TO
the real issue that the people may not
be deceived as to the purpose of the
machine.
With the facts before the people, and
with their eyes open, they ought to be
able to decide the issue,