The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-01-20
AGAINST BOTH BILLS
Senators Disapproye of the
Faulkner and Teller Plans.
PLATT TALKS VERY FRANKLY
The Territory not Prepared for Statehood
Attention Will be Drawn to Changed
Conditions Little While.
HERALD BUREAU,
Cor. 18th and g. Streets, n. W.
WAGuJNGTON Inn IL

| l talked today with number of Sen
ators regarding the bill introduced yester-
| day by Mr.. Teller, of Colorado, to provide
an enabling act for Utah, and the home
rule bill which Mr. Faulkner, of West Vir-
ginia, introduced a week ago. Some of
those | spoke with were Republicans and
some were Democrats. All Of them talked
freely, the understanding being, with one
| exception, that they were not 10 be quoted.
The conversations developed
A GENERAL SENTIMENT AGAINST BOTH BILLS.
| This opposition is not based so much on
fear of Mormon domination as it is that
longer time should elapse since
the changed attitude of the Mormon
church before statehood should be
demanded. Although the Senators believe
that the Mormon leaders are sincere in
their professions, they don't think that the
country generally is prepared as yet to give
the territory statehood. The point was
made that the introduction of the bills
would have good effect in drawing atten-
ton to the
CHANGED CONDITIONS IN UTAH,
but that any attempt to put through a
statehood bill would cause more or less
bad blood; that deeds of violence commit
ted score or more of years ego would be
again referred to, and that the conflict
would be detrimental rather than helpful
to the aspirations of the Utah people.
Mr.. Platt, of Connecticut, chairman of
territories committees, to whom both the
foregoing bills were referred, said: 81 dis
like to say in advance what my attitude re-
garding these measures may be inasmuch
as shall be called upon as member of a
committee to pass upon them. 1t has
been tacitly understood that this question
of statehood
WAS TO sLUMBER FOR WHILE
and think that course had better be fol
lowCd. When the Faulkner bill was first
introduced 1 was told that its consideration
ought to be delayed until It's opponents
could be heard from. We therefore post,
poned the matter until February II, when
both its friends and opponents can appear
before us.n
Don't you think the Utah people are
entitled to statehoodl" 1 asked.
"No," said Senator Platt with grave de-
liberation, mot just now. The Mormons
are fulfilling all their promises satisfacto-
rily, but had rather wait a while before
giving them the power which statehood
would confer upon them"
But" interrupted, 1.-THE Mormons are
no longer voting as a unit. They are di-
vided on party lines, and some of the num-
bert especially the younger men, are
among the
MOST ARDENT OF REPUBLICANs.n
THAT may be true,' Senator Platt con.
tinued. ''But there would be a terrible
temptation for both sides to bid for their
vote. There is no hurry; we can afford to
wait While longer and so can the people
of Utah"
Beyond this the Senator was not dis
posed to talk. 1t was evident, however sc
far as a state is concerned there is strong
sentiment against both measures and tina,
the outlook for their passage is far from
favorable.
| THE SALT LAKE PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Through the inadvertency of Senator
Stanford's committee clerk yesterday the
Salt Lake public building bill was reported
to the Senate with an appropriation of only
s2OO,OOO. This was mistake which will be
rectited by Senator Carey when the bill is
taken up from the calendar for considera-
ton. The amount ought to be $500, 000