The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-02-10
".
SALT L. o EXCITED.
A Great Struggle or the
Control of the Ch. 6ov-
ernment
Both Mormon and Liberal Parties
Expect to Garry the Munici-
pal Election.
hormons Charge the Gcnilles With whole
saic Trauds-The Election May Re
suit In a Riot

SAT- LAKE, Feb. 9.-Never before in th,
history Of the territory has political cam
paign been so bitterly fought as the On,
which closed Saturday night for the election
of municipal officers of this city. OIL Mon.
day. The question at issue has been neither
republican nor democratic supremacy, but
Mormonism vs.. -Mormonism. The last
election for members of the Legislature
which resulted in the liberals, or anti-Mor.
mons carrying The city by majority of 81,
has caused every voter 10 come out and
work 10 the utmost; the liberals
TO again carry the city, and the Mormons to
prevent a defeat from which they probably
could never recover. The interest is so in
tense that the Legislature on Saturday nd.
journed over TO Tuesday. The city from
one end 20 the other il decorated with flags
and bunting as though a national holiday
and during the past week torchliQht pro.
cessious with thousands of men, paraded
the streets nightly. AS 20 predicting the
result of tomorrow's contest, il is utterly
impossible 10 do SO with any degree of ac.
curacy. Both parties are confident OF
success. but the majority on either
side will be very small. In an interview
with the Associated Press reporter TO-DAY
L. 5. Richards. chairman of the peoples
party and one of the leading Mormons of
the territory. WAS asked: ''What will he
the effect upon the admission of the terri.
tory into the union by either defeat OF
victory OF tue peoples party at this elee.
tionf"
ut shonld have no effect, for the territory
is entitled 10 statehood regardless of local
politics. Doubtless the peoples party de
feat will tend TO remove liberal opposition
to statehood, for the liberal party is anxious
for statehood as soon as, but not until, il
shall gain absolute political nominations IN
Utah and her cities, but this act should not
influence the federal government. for il
is monstrous TO make the sovereignty Of a
commonwealth the plaything of local fac
tion.'
"will the election of the peoples ticket
retard the progress of the territory and inn
ylRration?"
mo, Salt Lake is now one of the most
safely progressive cities in America, and
that progress would be continued and en-
couraeed, immigration of desirable citi.
zens Of all classes and Investments Of CAPT
tai would continue as in the past; only iicti-
tious or evil progress and influx of the dis.
solute or idle element which attaches itself
TO boom would be stayed 80
do your party favor admission into the
Union!"
'Yes, if admission can be had upon
basis OF equal rights of all citizens, whose
conduct is in accordance with lnw."
The campaign for the city election ner,
has been one OF the iiercest ever conducted
anywhere. II really began last Jane and
las been growing in intensity ever since
ending on the part of the liberals by an i'm
meIse torchlighi procession Friday night.
in which there were 1900 men. Illumina.
tions, bunting and fireworks made the city
blaze of light. Last night tine Mormon
party had their closing demonstration
which WAS much the same ms the other, but
only 5000 men in line. There WAS much
less decoration and Illumination but an
elegant display OF fireworks. The cam-
paign has been great political educator.
something needed here and never before
had 10 any extent. The liberals are conf.
dent OF nearly 1000 majority. The Nor
mons also claim success, but make no fig
ures.
"what is the general feeling in regard to
the Edmunds and the Edmunds Tucker
nct!'
"fhe liberals, Of course. are gratiiied. AZ
these acts were calculated to afford
them considerable and unusual political
help; but the people regard some of theiI
features AS intOlerant and 10 the last degrees
unnecessary. even in the execution of the
governments plan against the former prac.
tice of plural marriage. For instance, arhi.
trary coniscation Of church ediiices and
other property Is unworthy of free govern.
ment. and also giving all jury selections
even in civil cases 10 liberals is deemed
cruelty un-American.
what will be the result 10 the Mormon
church and your party IN case The
Geutiles VIM
Il SEQ no special result TO the Mormon
church any more than to any other church
Possibly discrimination against individual
members of the church might ensuc. The
result To our party would be the same as to
any other strong party under such circum-
stances. Political defeat Is not always per.
manent. The day might come, and that
quickly, when classes OF decent citizens
would help our party back to power. Ont
year ago, the liberals carried Ogden. anc
soon there rcigned such satumalia OF
gliskcy. women and gambling thet the
United States officials were obliged to inter
fere and enforce police regula' IONS. Mora
liberals Of Ogden expressed disgust with
their own party and wislcd the people once
more in control.
AEt Hlt lut -ftFNlHFA 'A+NAAA Hat1 NAAN
people party oneY'
Certainly they are not; the idea Tint
they ure is circulated for political purposes
in order thnt the enactment agniust the
church may be operated ngainsi the purity.
Membership or uihliatlon with the church
is uot requisite for the peoples party stand
ing OF candidacy
Are the Edmunds and Edmunds. Tucker
acts used for political purposenFi
"Yes; anu that wns the cause Of their dc.
mand by the liberal party. Anywhere else
g political minority is compelled 10 wait un-
iii II can reverse public sentiment or gam
a majority by icRtmate accretions
of new citizens; bat the Liberals were toc
impatient for such ordinary methods. They
wanted measures which would give then
Immediate CONTROL and brcauao ot the un'
popularity of the name Mormon inev have
obtained acts dislranchising q large mum
ber of pioneer citizens ana al thc woneh
and now they are striving. under the SAINT
cover, to get congressional Legislation 70
take outrage from every inau who IL not
member Of the liberal party.
what Of Tumors alleging liberal irauusi
"EtuuUaud usurpati0n have been rampant
All registration md election machinery y
IN the hands II the liberals, and speclR
registration chr was run 20 the Colurnd,
line and gangs OF lebprers who never saw
salt Lake were piled with whisky and req
ister,d. Scores Of the peoples party voter
we're struck ch the lists IN deilnncc oi th'
ruling Of the supreme court OF the lnitct
states. Others of our voters who have liyot
here thirty years were challenged ON th'
ground Of non residence. others, who were
past 30. on the ground Of being under age
The registrars, four Of whom are enndidhte'
on the liberal ticket, are declared 10 he So
preme, aud We are told that we have no re
dress. Inspector John Bo9nheld, oi Snica
20, came here and exposed their frauds.
(;oy. Arthur l.. Thomas, the most promi
rent leader of tho liberal party, a Resident
of Utah for II years and probably the best
posted man in territorial politics, was IN