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H? 4 GOODWIN'S WEEKLY d
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H J the case,.,. Pechaps so, but what has he been doing during the past
H year? And why wait until December, a month after the fall elections?
H Is it because the governor, being a candidate for re-election, expects
H' to be occupied with campaign matters until November? Or was he
H fearful of making a decision that might reverse his political fortunes ?
H' Certainly he cannot possibly hope to augment his chances by strad- .
H dling the Mooney issue at this juncture, unless he has already had an
H understanding with a certain element whereby they shall deliver first.
H This thought is prompted, in view of the fact that District At-
H ' torney Fickert is likewise a candidate for the governorship. Fickert
H has been too firm and fearless in his stand for the execution of Mooney
H to hope for any support from the latter's friends. He had already en-
H listed the sympathies of those who want to see the law take its
B course. This naturally forced Stephens to look elsewhere for support.
M Why then, the question arises, did not the governor pardon Mooney
B outright and risk his candidacy on that act? As we view the situa-
M tion, one Francis J. Heney was the reason.
H Heney is also a candidate for governor and will make a strong bid
M for the radical vote. The Mooney case out of the way, Stephens
H wouldn't have a ghost of a chance with the redoubtable Francis J.
H in the scramble for the support of that element. Besides, Heney
H assumes to style himself 'as the man who "has the confidence of the
H President," a campaign slogan that will have a tremendous pulling
H power in California this year. So it would seem that Fickert and
H I Heney just; about had Stephens cornered until he suddenly decided to
H postpone action on the Mooney pardon until -the votes are counted.
H Which move ought to make the governor the favorite in the betting.
H The best that can possibly be said of Stephens is that he is a weak
H sister. If he is honest in his attitude, in which case we have done him
H an injustice, then it is apparent that he hasn't sufficient backbone to
H be the chief executive of a sovereign state. He deserves to be de-
H feated on general principles. As between the two we are inclined to
H think more of Mooney. It is only natural that he should fight for
H his life, and then there is always the chance that he was improperly
H convicted. What we have held mostly against Mooney was his posing
H as a martyr and his threats against the public welfare. But even so,
H it were better to pardon him on the grounds of public policy, than to
B continue to fan the flames of class hatred, all for the purpose of en-
H abling some candidate to gain office who isn't fit for the job.
H !
A SUGGESTION.
M T T ERE in Utah there are some fifty odd thousand good citizens
B' - anxious to man the good ship G. O. P., and a precious cargo is
m j in store. But a new captain must be chosen, and the chart and com-
M 1 pass located, before it will be safe to venture upon another voyage.
' Utah Republicans owe a manifest duty to themselves and to their
fl party, and to the State and the country at large, to put a straight
M ticket in the field this fall. They should name their strongest men
M I fQr office, irrespective of past prejudices within the party men who
ican command the confidence of the people and who will have the cour
age to call the Democratic party to an accounting of its stewardship.
The cause of good government demands such action and it should be
taken without a single regard for the prospects of success at the polls.
If it should be ordained that the Republicans shall constitute the min-
H ; ority party for another two years to come, it will still be in line with
H sound public policy, and prove good party politics as well, to wage a
Br stirring campaign against the party in power this year.
H j We note that State Chairman Miller contemplates calling a state
Hpp convention to nominate a straight ticket some time next month. That
Hj is goodj but why not call a get-together meeting at least a few weeks
HRf before the convention date? It is imperative that the Utah Re-
H publicans meet on common ground and calmly consider the issues of
HIE the campaign before a single thought is given as to the choice of
Hni candidates. Such a meeting should promptly be called and- its doors
Hit' thrown open to all citizens who are concerned in the correction of un-
Hjfj warranted conditions prevailing throughout the state. Our state
HJ, Democrats have much to answer for and this would be the time and
HW plae ,to draft the bill of particulars to be filed in the name of the
Hj people against them.
HELP IN SIGHT.
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THAT Utah is finally to receive substantial recognition from the
war industries board is almost too good to be true. We have been
forced to paddle our own canoe so long that we had almost despaired
of relief from the outside. And yet there never was a time that the f
state did not hold out peculiar advantages for the establishment and ''
encouragement of certain war industries, sufficient at least to recom
pense the citizens for the severe financial drains that are being made
upon them.
Just what prompted this change of heart on the part of the ad
ministration is a matter of conjecture. It may be that the fact that
we have been grievously overlooked to date has been mostly our fault.
Many of our local war lords have been too busy shouting the score of
our contributions to give a thought to the all important problem of
replenishing our funds. But the organization of a war industries
board for the state, something that should have been done immedi
ately following the declaration of war, is' the "very best move that has '
been made in our own behalf thus far. It will do more to sustain us
in our war work than all other agencies combined. Moreover, the
new movement is in capable hands and it should be so controlled.
We understand that the first problem confronting the new board
will be that of finances. In this connection why not bend every ef
fort to have the government carry a fair-sized deposit in our local
banks. Surely we are entitled to just as much consideration as the
cotton growers of the South. And since the administration is making
a policy of advancing funds for the development of war industries in
other states, why not make a strenuous bid for similar favor here?
Utah is a veritable treasure house, possessing most of the material
elements that go into the making of war machinery. She is the
Pennsylvania of the West and can be made almost as useful, if the
authorities will only take the trouble to utilize her enormous re
sources. Meanwhile, every little bit helps.
"All Germany May Be Forced to Marry at Nineteen." Head- .
line. I always understood that marriages were made in the other
place. New York Morning Telegraph.
Slowly Russia learns that Germany does not mean to let it have
even an abject peace. Springfield Republican.
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SLEEP, LADDIE, SLEEP.
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By Elbert Robb Zaring.
(The war department announced that on recommendation of
General Pershing, no bodies of deceased officers and soldiers would
be sent to this country until after the close of the war.)
Under the lilies of France they lie,
Silently taking their last, long rest ;
And the soft breeze murmurs in passing by,
While rivulets echo the tender behest. . ?
Sleep, laddie, sleep. '1
While onward shall pour the victorious band,
And the Teuton be crumpled behind his frontier;
Though the hoarse shout of triumph shall fill all the land,
And an eagerly listening world shall hear. -
Sleep, laddie, sleep.
When our boys shall at last sail back o'er the deep
With freedom established forever and ay,
They shall not be unmindful, O lad, in your sleep,
But tenderly stooping shall bear you away
So sweetly sleeping.
f k
And under the lilies of home you shall rest
' Where nature seems poised in tenderest prayer ;
And the thought of a lad who went over the crest
Shall render that mound surpassingly fair
While you sleep, laddie, sleep.
)