Public Affairs and Current Events
By Editor
THE papers report that the Mormons held high jubilee in Salt Lake City on the day of President Cleveland's inauguration, avowing their belief that the "persecution" of polygamists would cease when he got in power. But their rejoicings seem to have been premature. In his inaugural, President Cleveland says that "the conscience of our people demands . . . that polygamy in the Territories, destructive of the family, of religion, and offensive to the moral sense of the civilized world, shall be repressed." That sounds well. The Mormons have already lost much of their air of defiance of the authority of the Government since a few have been convicted. Let the work go on, and the honor of the nation be vindicated in the suppression of this cancer in our moral system. THERE is no subject before the Legislature of California which is of greater importance to the State than that of irrigation. But there is great reason to fear that the interests of the public will not be largely consulted in its consideration. One of the most discouraging features of our Governments, State and National, is that "jobs" are connected with all important measures, that "money rings" control even legislators, and the public interests suffer because of the indifference of public servants to the general welfare. GREAT complaints are being made of the management of the Exposition in New Orleans. When we left there the last of January a steam railroad from the heart of the city to the park was contemplated, and promised to be soon completed. This has not been built, and with the increase of visitors the street-cars are found to be insufficient to accommodate all. We hope that this great enterprise will not be suffered to be a failure. The Exposition was projected on a scale too large for the means which could be commanded. Congress has recently made another appropriation, and if it shall enable the managers to "pull through" it will be a source of gratification to all. Since Elder Haskell's report we have heard nothing direct from our mission there.