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Show Are Their Pledges Worth Par? I THE Democrats here In "Utah still continue to indulge in big talk. Ordinarily, the rule is that when a party is successful at the polls it immediately puts on the soft pedal. The usual practice is for it to discount the extravagant assertions as-sertions and proposals ventured during the campaign, cam-paign, but our local Democrats would prove the exception to thei rule. Notwithstanding thelf far-fetched pre-election claims, they still persist in enlarging upon their campaign promises. We fail to grasp the idea. But they are very promising indeed. In fact, if we are to accept their promises in toto, and at par, then we may rightfully anticipate that some time within the next four years wo are to approach the perfect government. It is a pleasing if not altogether positive assurance. The Democrats propose to give us an economical eco-nomical administration. That presupposes, of course, that the Republicans Repub-licans have been extravagant in their management manage-ment of the state's affairs. The fact remains, nevertheless, that under Republican rule the overhead expenses of operating the state government, govern-ment, have in proportion to its size in population and taxable wealth, been lower than any other state in the union. It is possible, it is true, to still further reduce expenses in tills respect, but to do so might materially affect the efficiency of the state government. But the Democrats propose to increase the efficiency of the state administration. How so? Do they hope to accomplish this all desireable object and it is to be admitted that there is always room for improvement by the simple process of substituting a new office personnel per-sonnel for the present one? As a rule, in point of capability and efficiency, public officials average aver-age up pretty much the same irrespectivo of their political beliefs. The only real mark of difference is that made by experience, and in this respect the incoming administration will for a time be severely handicapped. They propose to meet this issue by instituting the civil service in the state government. How soon and in what manner? This will depend altogether upon the point of view adopted. If civil service is inaugurated shortly after the new administration assumes office, a severe blow will be dealt to the deserving Democrats who, because of their inexperience to qualify for office holding. And if, on the other hand, the proposed service is not put into force until the party in power is solidly entrenched, then to what extent will the general public benefit? The Democrats propose to reorganize the state government. If they confine their efforts to the reshaping of certain departments and the consolidation of others, they will engage in a worthy venture. But this particular idea Is not at all original with them. A certain school of Republicans has been advocating this change for years, and would have put it into effect had they been afforded the opportunity. Theoretically speaking, the consolidation con-solidation of certain state departments is very desireable, but whether or not it will tend towards to-wards greater efficiency and economy will depend to a great extent upon the person or persons in charge of the reorganized departments. Good government, after all, is more a matter of men than of specified powers or policies. They promise a reduction m the taxes. It will bo interesting to note to what extent this promise will be kept. The administration of the state's affairs is making an ever increasing demand upon the pocketbcoks of the people. Still it is possible to reduce the taxes somewhat. It remains to bo seen just where the shaving will be done. If the Democrats are able to effect a saving to the taxpayers in the bare operating expenses of the state government itself, it will be to their credit; but if they attempt to curail M those appropriations from which the people di- M rcctly benefit, such as for the schools and roads, then they will invite no end of trouble to them- M selves. M They propose to enact a perfect prohibition M measure into law. M It can't bo done. The single political com- M plexion of the legislature Is no guarantee of unan- imity of action in this or any other respect. There is such a thing as a party in power being en- M tirely too unanimous for its own good, and this M is the chief danger in store for the dominant H party right now. In the absence of an effective H working minority in both houses, the Democrats H are bound to encounter untold difficulty in sub- H jecting themselves to party discipline. Perhaps M they will not even make the attempt. H Then too, they propose to write the initiative H and referendum into the statutes. JM Our honest opinion is that while some of the H Democrats are in earnest in this matter, they will H not enact this proposed measure into law until H near the close of their term of office. This for H the very good reason that the referendum in par- H ticular has generally proved to bo a roorback JM to those responsible for it. H And so, notwithstanding their high sounding H promises, and present good Intentions, we do not H look to see any great degree of statescraft dis- H played by the Democrats at the outset of their H administration. Democrats as a rule are intense- H ly personal in their politics, and usually proceed H upon the theory that their personal Interests H come first, their party second, and public policy H last. Not all Democrats are so constituted, but a H very great many of them are; and for this rea- H son if for no other their party program is in H jeopardy right now. H |