--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 3 number: 12 published: 1900-10 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Editor’s Table," *Improvement Era* 3, no. 12 (October 1900): 937–948.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera312unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera312unse start_page: 937 end_page: 948 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1900-10) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera312unse publication_year: 1900 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1900, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Editor’s Table EDITOR^S TABLE. BRIGHAM YOUNG ACADEMY EXPLORING EXPEDITION. The expedition which left Provo on April 17, to explore the ruins of the Central American country, arrived in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, about the middle of July. It was here hindered from proceeding further on the journey, because of the excessive tax or duty on the pack animals and equipments. It was discovered that either a bond of twelve hundred dollars or a heavy duty was required before permission would be granted to them to proceed. The bond could easily have been secured, but the conditions were so exacting that it were better to pay the heavy duty imposed, for the reason that, if a horse, blanket, saddle or mule, or any other enumerated or registered thing in the company's possession, on entrance into the country, had been found missing on their exit, the bond would have been declared forfeited. These conditions, however, were, upon application, afterwards so modified that missing articles only would have been subject to the tax. But the odium of breaking the law could also have been cast upon the expedition, perhaps with other additional complications. It developed that the duty on a gelding was thirty-five dollars, while a mule passed for three; and as the expedition was principally supplied with horses, it would become obligatory to make a change in the animals, which would be a source of much trouble, expense and annoyance, with so large a company. The size of the company was also a menace to its peaceful passage through the country. So large an armed and formidable force would arouse 938 IMPROVEMENT ERA. constant suspicion in the minds of the more ignorant natives of the interior states through which it had to pass, who would steadily throw obstacles in its way to hinder and annoy, if not in the end to defeat. The financial question became a serious one, because the enterprise, though essentially a public affair under the auspices of the academy, is principally a private business as far as money support is concerned. Under these trying difficulties. President Cluff sought advice, and the result was that President Joseph F. Smith, accompanied by Elder Seymour B. Young, visited the camp to consult on the best method of procedure. The brethren left Salt Lake City in the early part of August, and were absent three weeks. On their journey thither, they held eleven religious meetings — one in Pacheco, one in Garcia, four in Juarez, two in Dublan, and three in Diaz, in which the resident Saints were encouraged, and many strangers heard the testimony of the Gospel. Arriving at Nogales, they found the brethren of the company in camp in good condition, but weary of waiting, and impatient to continue their march. The time had not been wasted, however, for whatever could be studied and investigated, had received attention by them. After thoroughly discussing the situation, it was decided, much to the regret of the members, to reduce the size of the expedition. To retain the original large number was found impracticable, on account of the great cost of maintenance and supply, and incidental expenses. Besides, it was found unnecessary to have such a large body of men for the purposes of the organization. A few men could readily obtain assistance where many could not be helped. A small company would be just as safe, and could accomplish the mission just as well, with a more than corresponding reduction in the outlay. The company was therefore reorganized. Nine men were selected to continue the work, and fifteen were honorably released. One reason for selecting so many men in the first place was that in such enterprises, many generally back out, but the young men of this expedition were composed of different mental material. They were an unusually brave and excellent body of men; and those who were released were deeply disappointed, and declared that they EDITOR'S TABLE. 939 would rather lay down their bones in the desert than to backdown from their determination to succeed in what had been undertaken, unless it were considered best by the proper authorities to honorably release them. President Smith and Elder Young had come for that purpose, and so the action of reducing the company was taken. On the 12th of August, the following men were selected to proceed: Benjamin ClufF, Walter M. Woolfe, John B. Fairbanks, Walter S. Talton, Asa Kinke, Chester G. Van Buren, Joseph Adams, Heber Maggleby, and Paul Henning; while these were honorably released to return: Gordon S. Beckstead, William Adams, William K. Cluff, Soren Hansen, Parley Nelson, William M. Hughes, Eugene Roberts, Lafayette Reese, George Q. Cannon, Henry E. Giles, B. T. Higgs, Jr., Mozier F. Pack, Warren Shepherd, Christian Olsen and Royal Woolley. On the 13th, the company selected to continue the journey, were cleared and proceeded on their way to fulfill their assigned mission, in which work the blessings of the whole people accompany them; while those who were honorably released, are welcomed home like men who have done their full duty. DESTRUCTION OF GALVESTON. One of the most shocking calamities ever effected by the ele ments befell Galveston, Texas, on Sunday morning, September 9, A hurricane from the West Indies fell with fearful fury over the Gulf of Mexico, setting its waters in such commotion as to completely cover the city with a flood which, with the rain and wind, swept everything before it. Houses, bridges, railroads, cattle^ horses, men, women and children were helplessly borne away, or carried to death and destruction. It is estimated that five thousand human lives went out, with many thousands of horses and cattle and other domestic animals, while the property loss is estimated 940 IMPROVEMENT ERA. at nearly twenty million dollars. The suffering and sorrow are indescribable, and no account of the terrible scenes can exaggerate "the true conditions. Whole families met death in the debris of the wave and storm. From a letter to the Deseret News, it is learned that four "Mormon" elders were in the stricken city on that dreadful night. They were: Peter A. Norton, of Pima, Arizona; Horace L. Johnson, of Thatcher, Arizona; Samuel Shaw, of North Ogden, Utah, and Heber N. Folkman, of Plain City, Utah. They all escaped as by a miracle and stood unharmed where thousands had fallen all about them. They had been laboring without success in the city for the past three months, and were about to leave when the flood came. The News account continues: On the fatal night they were stopping with a family named Daniels. As the water rose and reached the house, these good people fled panicstricken to higher ground, leaving the elders alone in the house. These went upstairs and commended themselves to the care of Divine Providence. When morning broke and the desolation wrought stood forth in all its awe-inspiring details, it was found that the house in which the elders were, was the only one in that entire neighborhood that had escaped damage. It seems these missionaries were, during the entire night of horror, unconscious of the extent of the visitation. Elder Norton, in his letter to the News, says part of the night they slept, though the water was surging and the wind raging all around them. When in the morning they went out to see what damage had been done, they were astonished to learn the extent of the disaster. They saw corpses everywhere. Men, women and children had met death either by drowning or under the falling houses. There was no difference now between rich and poor, white and black. Death had placed them all on about the same level. The miraculous preservation of the house in which the "Mormon" elders had been given shelter that night, must have been a powerful testimony to some of the people who had rejected their message. The tornado also did great damage in other parts of Texas, and was the cause of many deaths. The storm continued over the Mississippi valley and the great lakes, passing out to the ocean over Boston and other New England cities, its way being strewed with destroyed shipping and other property amounting to several million dollars. EDITOR'S TABLE. 941 Galveston was a city of about thirty-five thousand inhabitants, a sea port, and the largest city in Texas. It was situated on the northeastern end of Galveston Island, off the coast of Texas, which island is about twenty-eight miles long. Galveston Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, and extends northward from Galveston about thirty-five miles. The city had a large trade with steamer lines from New York, and Havana, Cuba. It was especially noted for its export of cotton. Being settled in 1837, it was ten years older than Salt Lake City. Great improvements in its harbor were recently contemplated by the government. A terrible fire destroyed the place in 1885, but with commendable energy and enterprise, its citizens rapidly rebuilt the city. Whether or not it will rise from its present ruin, is a question that cannot now be answered. In the meantime, relief funds have been established for the aid of the sufferers, and the generoushearted over the whole nation are freely giving of their substance to relieve the temporary want and misery. The downfall of Galveston adds one more fearful item to the long list of troubles in the form of war, famine, pestilence, and destruction by tire and flood, which have so prominently marked this closing year of the nineteenth century — a year, indeed, when believers in prophecy find much to confirm the predictions concerning the judgments which are to follow in the wake of the rejected testimony of the servants of God. LORD RUSSELL. Lord Chief Justice Russell, who died on the 10th of August, at the age of 67 years, was one of the most remarkable characters of the century. He was a worthy successor of the great Lord Mansfield, who has stood for so long conspicuous as one of the greatest judges in the world. The Chief Justice was the attorney of Mrs. Maybrick, in that celebrated case, and offered the most brilliant 942 IMPROVEMENT ERA. defense in her behalf. He was noted for his great eloquence and for his skill in the cross-examination of witnesses. It is said that his income was nearly a half million dollars a year. He was sought in the most important cases, and by those who could well afford to pay large fees. Notwithstanding this enormous income, he was usually in debt, and greatly embarrassed by the demands of his creditors. A curious story is told of a syndicate organization, among some of his friends, to place him into a financial position more in harmony with the great character he sustained as one of England's great lawyers. His old friends followed him. They borrowed money, which he was generally willing to lend indiscriminately, and they induced him to enter into speculative schemes, by which it was possible to bury his enormous income and leave him, as he often was, in an embarrassing position. An arrangement was made with the syndicate by which all his fees went first into their hands, and from them a liberal allowance was made for his expenses. The balance was used in the payment of his debts, and the creation of a fund. At the end of two years, his debts were all paid and a respectable margin left for his support. When he was made an English Lord, he departed from the usual custom in accepting his well-merited recognition from the English crown. He had the peerage limited to his own life, so that if his children become peers, it must be by reason of their own merit. He had always been out-spoken in his opposition to the inherited peerage among his countrymen. He was known in this country, first, because he was one of the commissioners in the settlement of the Venezuela question, and did much in that case for peace. In 1896, he delivered his celebrated speech before the Bar Association, at Saratoga, on the subject of "International Arbitration." In his definition of civilization he says: "Its true signs are, thought for the poor and suffering, chivalrous regard and respect for women, and frank recognition of brotherhood, irrespective of race or color or nation or religion, the narrowing of the domain of mere force as a governing factor in the world, the love of ordered freedom, abhorance of what is mean and cruel and vile, ceaseless devotion to the claims of justice." What seemed most curious, however, to most people in this EDITOR'S TABLE 943 country who were interested in the life of this remarkable man, was the readiness with which it was said he would adjourn court in an important case to go to a horse race. That trait, however, was no peculiarity to the English people who entertain almost a patriotic pride in horse-racing. Portaits of Lord Russell give us the face of superior refinement, and a keen, searching and discriminating intellectuality. Among the legal fraternity, he will stand forth as one of the leading characters of his age. A great man was Lord Chief Justice Russell. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO VOTE? Until after the 6th of November, nothing will claim a larger share of attention than politics. The great national parties, as well as the small, have placed their candidates before the people. The state candidates have been named ; so have the county leaders. Let the interest continue. It is a healthy sign that the people become reasonably concerned in political questions. From the people's knowledge of men and principles in politics grows the health of the civil life in our state and country, as well as its strength and power. It is every voter's duty to exercise the franchise, and every young man's duty to learn its sacredness and value. But a caution is necessary to young men. Beware of believing all that is said by the party leaders who have been chosen to expound the party platforms. They are naturally prone to exaggerate the virtues of their own side, and to tell less than the truth concerning those of their opponents. It is well to hear both sides, and to judge from your own point of view of the course to take. Do not believe all the man says who declares that this party or that is false to every principle of good and true government; or that this or that party is intent upon ruining the national honor and 944 IMPROVEMENT ERA. finance. No one party possesses all the good; no one party is wholly right nor all in the wrong. Remember that aside from these enthusiastic partisan speakers, it must be admitted that the majority of the people of all parties and classes, however they may differ in opinions of policy, are as a rule sincerely anxious to take the course that will promote the best interests of our state and country. This does not mean that one party's policy is as good as that of another, and that it makes no difference which way you vote. Far from it. Between two policies there must necessarily be a best; between two parties one must surely present better reasons, a better public policy, better political principles, in your judgment, than the other. The best may be represented by the party with which the voter affiliated at the last election; it may not. Not party only, but principle, is the motto that will perpetuate liberty, truth and good government. Therefore, to be sure that his vote is cast right, the wisest course for every voter to pursue is to study the public questions for himself; viewing, but not necessarily believing, all sides; to hear as many public speakers as he can, who have different views; to follow the campaign for himself, eliminating its trash and exaggerations; then to set prejudice aside, and vote according to the best light of his soul, and as his own educated conscience may dictate, or as God may inspire him to act. So much for the national and state tickets. In local or county offices, where party policies and political doctrines are of less importance than competent labor, men should be studied, and representatives selected and voted for who stand for efficient service, with unimpeachable honesty of character. ANARCHY. The assassinations of President Carnot, Premier Canovas, Empress Elizabeth of Austria and King Humbert, together with. EDITOR'S TABLE. 945 the attempt upon the life of Muzafer-ed-Din, Shah of Persia, and the reputed scheme to assassinate the President of the United States, all indicate an unusual activity among the anarchists of the world to terrorize the governments of Europe and of this country, by striking down their leaders. Undoubtedly the aim is to arouse feelings of terror, by so shocking the sensibilities of the world in the assassination of the leaders of organized governments as to induce the people to inaugurate forms of government and conditions of life in keeping with the views of those who are urging anarchist propaganda. If a reign of terror could be inaugurated, and men prevented from accepting exalted positions in government, it is believed by this class that people would forthwith establish some new forms of government more satisfactory to those who rejoice in the misfortune of the potentates of the earth. It is sad to contemplate the fact that in a liberal government, like our own, it has become necessary to use the most stringent precautions to guard the life of the President who ought to enjoy the fullest personal liberty, and to move among the people with the greatest freedom. Such dangers and such precautions make the office less inviting and doubly burdensome. An anarchist paper published in San Francisco makes this comment: "When the down-trodden proletarian, (the working man) filled with a deep sense of the myriad wrongs inflicted on himself, his dear ones and his kin, strikes a blow of vengeance against the representatives of the system which has transformed men into beasts, we do not rejoice— nor condemn. We simply explain. Would you put an end to the assassination of rulers? Then end the conditions which make men miserable: end the wrongs which provoke men to resistance; cease to outrage flesh and blood as human and as sensitive as that of kings." This is perhaps as approvingly as an anarchist paper could view the assassination of King Humbert. The frequency with which the assassin has made his appearance, within -the last few years, is a direct menace and danger to the organization of society and government. Anarchy is a secret organization, and the most extreme of all organizations whose principles and purposes are not open to the deliberations and the discussions of men. Anarchy stands for disintegration. It pretends 946 IMPROVEMENl ERA. it is true, to replace the present system of government with something ideal and angelic; something of course that is wholly beyond realization. Its pretenses can never be accomplished this side of the millennium, and then not by the means which it proposes. Anarchy may do much to break down existing forms, and in this age of rapid changes it may take upon itself extraordinary growth, and become a terror to the world before we fully realize or sense its development. Men are indifferent to it today, because its propaganda seems so unreasonable to this age; but the unexpected so frequently happens that no one today can say that anarchy may not, within the next few years, assume prodigious proportions, and be a serious menace to the welfare of mankind. No effort is put forth for its destruction. It is looked upon as one of those abnormal conditions whose dangers must simply be warded off. So, notwithstanding there have been numerous assassinations by anarchists in recent years, anarchy is not taken seriously by the great mass of mankind. It is well to remember, however, that this is an age of surprises, and not least among those that may arise to shock the sensibilities of mankind, at no great future day, may be the unexpected and incomprehensible growth of anarchy. AIRSHIPS. We have now arrived at a stage in the inventor's travels where we cease to shrug our shoulders in unfeigned skepticism when the flying-machine is mentioned. We have come to believe that it is really a possibility, if not an immediate probability. One of the most successful attempts at navigating the air was made recently in the region of Lake Geneva, by Count Zeppilin, a famous European aeronaut. The count got his large cigar-shaped cylinder of canvass, of over four hundred feet in length, and forty feet in diameter, out on Lake Geneva. The interior of this machine was filled with two thousand small cylinders holding about EDITOR'S TABLE. 947 tliirty-two thousand cubic feet of hydrogen. Its weight was about nine tons. At the set time it arose from Lake Geneva, and made a run of about three and a half miles, during which time it was guided by its occupants in the freest manner, until an accident happened to the steering gear which compelled them to descend from a height of twelve hundred feet, which they had attained, in order to make repairs. This is, perhaps, one of the most successful efforts which has been made, and Count Zeppilin, feels that he has really been victorious. Of course, there is no present thought that the airship will be a means of transportation. It would be too expensive for that. The one used by Count Zeppilin, it is said, cost about a quarter of a million, an expensive experiment. Like many other inventions, however, it is intended for war. The balloon, during the recent campaign in South Africa, proved to be a great aid in locating the enemy and directing military movements in the field. The airship itself might be made to carry great guns and other means of human destruction, and at the same time occupy a position beyond the reach of the enemy. One might naturally be led to wonder that if one enemy can use the airship in a battle, another one can do the same, and thus afford us the interesting spectacle of .battles and wars carried on in mid-air. MISSOURI PERSECUTIONS. There has just been issued from the press of George Q. Cannon & Sons Co. a work entitled, "Missouri Persecutions," by Elder B. H. Roberts. It includes the matter published under the same title in the Contributor, fifteen years ago, and in addition a considerable amount of historical information now presented to the public for the first time. Among these data are copious extracts from the accounts of these occurrences published by the enemies of The 948 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Church. These, the author says, are introduced by way of contrast, that the reader may have both sides of the story before him, to enable him to judge accurately of the truth of the matter. The work has been issued with the purpose in view of combating these false statements, and correcting the impression sought to be made by opponents of The Church leaders, that the people were driven out of Missouri chiefly on account of their evil acts. It also aims to inform its readers on the early history of this dispensation; the character of the early experiences of The Church; the acts of injustice perpetrated against the Saints in Missouri; the sufferings of the fathers for the holy faith. In reading the work, one is impressed with its accuracy and fullness of historical detail; orderly and logical arrangement of facts; correctness of inference; thoroughness of treatment; plain, dignified historical style. To the careful, systematic reader, the work will appeal especially, on account of these qualities, while at the same time it is not dry and incapable of securing the interest of the casual reader.- As a book of reference and supplemental reading for the young people who are studying Church history, it will meet with great favor, and provide the student with invaluable data. Price $1. 25.