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Show T THE ARGUS. cided alteration in the human race, it never will be successful. There is no need of closing our eyes to the foibles of mankind ; the lust and the weakness of men and women must be borne in mind ; the history of humanity must not be forgotten ; and in every attempt to purify a community common sense should govern the effort and the best results, instead of the most radical change regardless of the ultimate outcome, should be the object of the reformer. With such reformation The Abqus is in hearty sympathy. It is generally believed that the va-J- pt cancies in the quorum of apostles were not filled this conference for reasons which asserted their importance during the past week. Sunday morning, at the close of his address to the Saints, President Joseph F. Smith emphasized the importance of filling all vacancies in the priesthood as soon as possible after they occur, and said that the authorities would But during the see that they were kept filled. hours there was a change of sentinext thirty-siment in this particular. President Woodruff was able to attend, but nothing further in the way of carrying out the pledge of President Smith was attempted. The correct naming of the two selections beforehand might, under some circumstances, furnish an excuse for postponement, since nothing could be more injurious to the solemnity of a revelation than its anticipation by a secular newspaper. The matter will go over another six months, although it is intimated that the vacancies have been quietly filled pro tern subject to the certain approval of the next general conference. A report is in circulation to the effect that the vacancies were left open for the counselors to drop back into in case of President Woodruffs death. But the next counselors would be chosen from the quorum anyhow, leaving vacancies just as now exist. Fined. : ; x ! The Argus made no mistake when it predicted that George Q. Cannon Thatcher Addressee. would improve his conference opportunity to show his intense hatred for Moses Thatcher Every time the distinguished diplomat arose to speak he gave vent to his personal animosity . So bitter did he become and so apparent was it to the immense congregation at one session of the conference that President Cannon felt impressed I am not to excuse himself in these words: prompted to speak thus by personal pique, nor This explanabecause I have been neglected. tion was rendered necessary by the acrimonious nature of his references to the man with whom he in years had had trouble over the Bullion-Bec- k long gone. Some men never forget a difference of that character ; they may drop it for a time, but whenever the occasion renders retaliation safe and effectual it will be forthcoming ; and once in a lifetime a man is found who gluts and gorges on the sweets of revenge three times a day for three hundred and sixty-fiv-e days in the year. The people are not blind, however; they are quick to see the difference between deserved punishment and unrighteous persecution ; they have an unborn sense of fairness which tells them when a victim has been pursued far enough . Their silence is mistaken for approbation ; their forbearance and credulity are being over taxed ; someday will be heard a chorus of complaint a protest from the masses against their leaders fighting personal battles from behind the cross of Christ ambushed, as it were, upon the heights of Calvary. President Cannon was ably assisted by that paragon of humility, that personification of combined charity, tolerance, magnanimity and brotherly love, Joseph F. Smith, who has no use for people who differ from him on Anti- - r ' 3 political matters ; who rebukes his followers for showing sympathy which he feels not ; who takes a different view of life and love and humanity from that of the Savior of mankind, points to a guide unlike the perfect example of the perfect Man and teaches a doctrine at variance with the sermon on the mount. religious Or Fanaticism is not an evidence of Unsafe piety, honesty, or even horse sense. Counselor. The fanatic is an unsafe counselor, a harmless foe and a foolish friend. He is out of place in this country and out of date in this He is essentially narrow, void of sympathy, hard of heart and small of soul. He may be able to preach and prophesy and profess religion. He may be able to weep in the presence of a congregation or declare his humility in earnest, thrilling tones, but he is deficient in charity, benevolence, tolerence and the other attributes of a Christian gentleman. One of the sublimest chapters in the Bible contains the Apostle Pauls dissertation on charity, as follows : Though I speak with tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and knowledge ; and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor ; and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long and is kind ; charity envieth not ; charity vaunteth not itself; it is not puffed up; doth not behave itself unseemly ; seeketh not her own ; is not easily provoked ; thinketh no evil ; rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth, but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophecy in part. St. Paul held out no inducements to fanatics, to enthusiasts who sought to serve the Lord by slandering, vilifying and tongue-lashin- g some one whom they considered in the dark or in opposition to their particular plan of salvation. He declared that a man might actually try to be good, might consider himself holy and immaculate, speak as with the tongue of an angel, have the gift of prophecy and faith enough to move a mountain, yet, without charity, his voice would be like a tinkling cymbal or sounding brass. Charity, according to St. Paul, means patience, kindness, tolerance, forbearance, forgiveness and brotherly love; it means the absence of envy, pride, persecution, intolerance and revenge. cen-tur- y. wild-eye- d Ever and anon an irreverent tor of Utah takes another shot at the edi-Hayse- ed Legislature, departed Legislature on account of some cherished grievance. One or two unpopular measures were made law's, notably the mining record act, know as Senate Bill No. 55, which called forth the bulk of criticism. There were other laws passed which are not approved in certain sections or by certain trades people, but there was a great amount of good work done after all. The code alone was a gigantic undertaking, over a thousand amendments having been made in both houses. A number of other laws were also enacted. The State Land board was increased for the sake of efficiency and compensation for the extra members provided. A Food Inspector was created and an allowance made for him out of the State treasury. The Bee Inspectors remuneration was made payable from the general funds of the State. A Secretary of Hor ticulture was added to the list of State officers and his salary fixed. All these positions are of prime importance to the agricultural classes. Owing to the necessity for reservoirs and a perfected system of irrigation the office of State Engineer was called into existence with a salary attached. These were regarded as absolutely essential to the welfare of agriculture in this State. The salaries were appropriated for two years. Then an appropriation of $21,000 was made for the construction of roads and bridges essential to the development of the State. A donation of $5,000 was made for the establishment of a miners hospital in Park City. The sum of $15,000 was set apart for the Pioneer Jubilee. The Omaha exposition was given $8,000. The great southern exposition to be held in Tennesee received $2,000 in the same way. Every State institution received generous allowances and were furnished with means to keep them going for two and a half years. A deficiency of $117,000 left by the former Legislature was taken up and, notwithstanding all this outlay, taxation for State purposes was reduced a mill. The daily expense of the second State Legislature was less than that of the first and the total appropriation per annum was considerably decreased this year. It is well enough to remember that the hayseeders accomplished some good for which due credit should be given them. Trans-Mississip- s pi one-ha- lf I EDITORIAL NOTES. The trusts and corporations having sized up the national treasury are now waging a campaign for its capture. We suppose that slumming will become fashionable now that municipal reform has become a fad. Wholl play Parkhurst? They say that Jim Devines candidacy for the United States Marshalship was started as a joke, but the indications are that the Fire Chief will be in a position to enjoy it best. We suppose that by this time Senator Hanna has received a marked copy of the paper containing Colonel John Luzernes interview wherein he extols the virtues of the mighty Mark. The Kansas City Star calls attention to the fact that Ingalls and Sullivan are both named John. It might have added that Ingalls and Corbett have the same ini tials. ex-Senat- or t on Bears being out of season the Gibson eye being used with great effect on mountain lions different parts of the state. The latest case hypnotic hunting is reported from Wellsville, northern Utah. is in of in Those Utahnian patriots who are impatient because McKinley compels them to wait while he elevates the tariff should remember that the trusts are entitled to the first consideration. It is a good business rule to attend to cash customers first, and this is going to be a business adminis- tration. Joines, the Idaho legislator who confessed to after Senator Heitf elds election, has been disinherited by the Populists, and are saying that he is not now particular what party he Joines. bribe-takin- g para-graphe- rs The inducements being offered Register Byron Groo to vacate the United States Land Office are doubtless tempting, but his unaccountable lethargy is very annoying to his would.be successors. Harry Meyers and others, too, long to try on the federal shoe, but its Groo I but its Groo ! listen to their tale of woe. |