The Republican journal., 1892-01-21
Letter from Utah.

ISDtCldl correspondence VI lHO coulllti.
A stranger can have but little concep-
ton of the variety and abundance OF U tab S
natural resources. 1t is rapidly pushing
to the front as rich mining district. One
of her mines has already paid in dividends
SD, 900, 600, and continues to yield, with no
sign of decrease. A few years ago a
street vender exchanged his horse, cart,
and load of vegetables for claim on what
was then barren desert: later it proved
mining city Of 25OOpeople, and the former
street vender is a millionaire. The noun
tains are still rich with the precious min
eral which has lain in darkness for end
less ages waiting for some enterprislng
hand to bring it out from its bed Of stone
that it may shine under the pure sky.
Our mining industry is still in it's infancy
The sulphur deposits of Utah are ap-
parently inexhaustible, in places o5 per
it can be obtained with very little eX-
Dense. 1t is said that Utah alone can fur
nish sulphur enough to supply this coun-
try for an indefinite period. | do not
know as this suggests that Utah is any
nearer the lower regions than some other
places with less of the article characteris-
tic OF that locality.
The asphalt deposit of Utah is not only
the purest but in the greatest quantity of
nish the asphalt for paving the streets of
every city in America. The veins of this
valuable mineral are literally inexhausti-
bic
Utah is also favored with rich deposits of
mineral wax which are of great industrial
value | believe there is no other place
in this country where this wax is found in
such purity and such quantity. This in
dustry is as yet undeveloped, but time and
capital will soon reach it, and it will bring
millions to the increasing wealth OF Utah.
The coal and iron deposits Of Utah have
long since received national attention.
There are coal veins from p to so feet
thick. extending for miles, and sinking
into the earth to depth unknown. The
iron is the purest in the world, and of suf-
! ticient quantity to meet the demands OF
the West for centuries to come.
Marble is found in nearly every form
and variety, unsurpassed by any in the
world for beauty. 1t seems as if nature
has outdone herself in her generosity fol
this beautiful spot, dotted with lakes, and
hemned with mountains. Utah has beer
slow in developing. capital has been eau
tious about coming here: but now all cause
for fear has passed. people are t1ochln2
here, capital is being invested. and great
prosperity is sure to follow. | know OF
no State with brighter prospects, nor OF
better openings for investments.
But | suppose our eastern friends are
more interested IN the social and political
questions which have given Utah an TN
enylable position among her sister States.
1t is quite well known that Utah is now
passing through transition, the final re-
suit of which will be interesting as it Will
lave much influence in moulding the SEN
timent OF the people.
Polygamy. without doubt. has had its
day. and Il glorious reign it had before the
tide Of civilization came in. when the
Lord 5 chosen We're excluded from the
rest of the world, surrounded as they were
by high mountains, The march OF ci}ili-
cation. however, soon reached them. the
railroad came, the mission school. and a
Christian church soon followed: cnterplis-
ing business men came, Professional men
came. United States marsnals, deputies
judges and commissioners came. ciyiliZa-
ton in its true sense came and as the
liyl.t shonc in over the mountain tops the
institutions of MoTmol1ism began to de-
cline For the last decade tne rotten sys-
tenn of polygamy has been gradually
crumbling and little more than yearaeo
it received! what is believed to be its death
blow, when at the great gathering Of the
Mormons, in their yearly conference at
Salt Lake City, before an audience of II, :
600 people, the President of the church
advised that there be no more polygamous
marriages. A few days later the church
by unanimous vote accepted this mani
festo as direct revelation from the Lord
That polygamous marriages are still form
ed in some obscure towns, may be true
but the system is doomed: it must 90
down, it is going down, and believe the
majority of the Mormon people, especial
ly the younger and more progressive ele-
ment, hail with joy the day when this
piece of barbarism will be entirely forgot
ten. Many of them have tasted of it's bit
ter fruit, and felt the pain Of its poison.
The crowded Mormon immigrant trains
are something of the past. The present
increase is ten to one against Mormonism.
The young people are breaking away from
the power of the priesthood. Individual
ism is asserting itself. Progression is the
watchward. The people are beginning to