New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-05
THE UTAH ELECTION.

| REMINI3CENCES or PREVIOUS ELECfiONs-HOW THK
| CHURCH PARTY BRowBEAT THEIR 0PP0SENTs--
THE RIGHT TO HOLD POLITICAL MEETINGS AND 90
TO THE POLLS AT LENGTH sECURED-A SECRET
BALLOT NECESSARY FOR FAIR PLAY-RI0TOUs
SCENES AT THE LATE ELECTION.
| To the Editor Of The Tribune
| SIR The day is past when an election could
be held Salt Lake City and the people ct largs
know nothing about 1t until it was over and gone by
two weeks We had Territorial election on the 3D. and
carried county giving our candidate for Congress
about 5000 votes. The Mormons are very jubant
our overwhelming defeat-as uoant as though we had
had far show, which have not. In the first place
we have not free ballot. The ballots arc 80 numbered
and recorded that the church junta tell how each
person Votes unfair law. Nor was H. In the second
place. fairly administered. Ono has to be taxpayer
under Territorial law In order to be voter This law
was generally enforced against Geutiles or Indepen-
DENTS but against the faithful 80 also OF tho re-
aurements that one shall lie a native naturaized
and OF Given Free fair. equal show
polls, and the opposition vote would most assur-
edy have been largely increased-perhaps doubled As
it was, we have cause for Encouragement
TACTICS or THE CHURCH PARTY.
One time, some ten years ago, the people dared to
scratch name on Church ticket and it was defeated
But the successful candidate did not qualify ana take
the office. He dared not. Now. in the county which
the Liberals carried the Church does not dare
as IL did then, to browbeat the successful
candidates out Of their election, but talks or
oontesting, on the ground that many voted who
were not tax payers. Tho first time the Genes ever
ran candidate for CongressI think 1t was In lSs7-ho
got about 100 votes The few beyond the
members of the Convention which put him in the field.
and which, to get place meet 10 at ALL had TO buy
lot and build house. At the city election early la 1910
We made another effort when the church people
took possession OF mass meeting, driving
us out by Of numbers showing arms but not using
In that put a canuuatc Ia Tue
field for Congress- but not allowed to hold rath-
cation meeting the street. We held 1t on our own io
before spoken of, and candidate got perhaps lo
votes In 1872 In the field again, with the same
candidate Gen. Maxwell and Attempting to hold rati-
acation meeting front Of the Salt Lake House, Main
ST. were howled down, and the doors shut That year
the Territory was overrun with people, many OF
whom thought they could make more by toadylns tue
Church than by fighting 1t. There was an impotente Ell
fort to organize Republican and Democratic parties ana
generally we were great disadvantage so that our
vote showed but little upon that OF 1870 About
1000 the figure.
THE ELECTION OF 1874.
This year there was more harmony and spirit much
less Jack Aormonism, many having ascertaned thas
paying their tthng to Brigham. even II only In moral
support was poor business. We had meetings In the
city, the street, unm0ested where thousands iis-
tened and where against theoerac institu'
lions plainly and ably stated. Meetings we're held
in many other towns In the central part OF the Terri
tory and upon election day vote was moro than
double that of 1872 1t the kind OF defeat that VIII
ruin the victor after WHILE II Congress next session
will give secret ballot the election OF 1876 VIII make
the priesthood tremble for the perpetuity OK
their rule. You can't transform slave into freeman.
in mind at once 1t is matter of growth and requires
time 1t may safely be said that that growth coming
on in Utah fast could reasonably be expected.
THE DISTURBANCE AT THE POLLS.
The disturbance at the chief city poll on election day
is now undergoing judicial Investigation. and as usual
there conflicting testimony, but the facts were sub
stantially as follows, viz: Gen. Maxwell appointed
several special deputies the day, assigning them TO
duty the different polls instructing them to keep tho
peace electlOneer not to interfere with any ones
voting nor allow IL to be lnterfered with, ana not.
under any circumstances, to violent means TO en-
force their authority. One Of the regular deputies.
named Orr under the immediate direction OF Maxwell.
accompanied a voter whose vote had been previously
peremptOriy rejected to the poll with the view OF hv
ing hun swear his II that should not be al
lowed enforcing the law against the Judge OF Election
Jeter Clinton Clinton not only refused the mans vote
but threatened both Maxwell and Orr with arrest they
did leave and after other words called aloud for tho
police to them Just then. scule occurring LII
the hall which led inside the poll between policeman
guarding 1t and deputy marshall orr stepped
up placed his hands on each OF them and commanded
peace. Instantly he was seized by three or four
policemen and shut up in jail. Maxwell. upon this.
ately returned to the poll when Mayor Wells who stood
in the door Of the hall before mentioned commanded
him to leave. Orr told him that his duties compelled
him to be there and he should stay. Wells raised his
cane, and shaking it, again commanded him TO leave.
Orr replied, "Dont attempt to strike me with that
cane" and Wells raising 1t higher IL TO use 1t. Orr
took hold OF him, saying that lie arrested him. where
upon the police from behind seized the Mayor aud drew
him back into the hall minus his coat. There was
large crowd and good deal OF noise and scung. Just
then Gen. Maxwell appeared and being helped through
the crowd the City Hall steps, raised his voice aud
commanded the peace, making little speech, aud
succeeding in restoring quiet The poll had been closed
meanwhile, but the crowd showed disposition to dis
perse. The Mayor, after sending his compliments to
Maxwell for the manner in which he had restored quiet
appeared balcony above aud ordered the people to
retire to their homes. Upon which the police. six or
seven In number rushed in body from the building
and dispersed the crowd by the free use Of Salt Lake
billie" somewhat resembling q small dumbbel, Oh
their heads severely nuring several and aiming par
tcularly the deputy marshals One OF these bes"
was captured as 1t was descending MaxwelPs head.
HOW BLooDsHED WAS PREVENTED.
There would probably have been q bloody fight but
that Maxwell had instructed his deputies not TO shoot
under any provocation. One Of them who did get out
revolver was sent homo by Maxwell Besides, tho
crowd was packed densely that in it could not
use their They could not even drop at the stroke
OF the iron "be" their heads. Some Of the police
had been arrested previously for breaking the or
for interfering with voters, and released their
recognizance Upon this last onslaught they all
arrested together with the Election Judge. Clinton. and
the Mayor Wells. An excited crowd followed Clinton
to the Marshas office. and there was undoubtedly some
disposition to take him from the officers and lynch him.
Assembled round the MarshaPs Office, still clamorng
noisy, they finally peacefully dispersed upon few we'll
directed words from Gov. Woods an Irishman remark
ing (" It was the first time he had ever known the
Governor to drive away his hearers" And thus ended
the day, fortunately without loss OF life. There is
constant moral here and If It doesn't reach soma