The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-02-23
UP TO DATE.

Hon. j. L. RAwLINs, of the Democratic
delegation which went to Washington in
the interest Of the Home Rule bill, has re-
turned and fetches with him the gratifying
assurance that the bill is almost certain to
become a law. The situation may be
briefly stated: Every Democratic Senator
with solitary exception, Is in favor of the
measure, and number of Republican SEN
ators have declared they would vote for it
while others are openly working for it.
The western Senators generally can find
40 good ground upon which to base opposi-
ton. They recognize the right of the peo-
pie of Utah to govern themselves, provided
those people employ their power
properly, and they say that this
bill will give an opportunity
to show whether or not we can be trusted
to enjoy and perform the duties of Ameri-
can citizens. Practically all the Democrats
and several Republicans say they are ready
to admit Utah at once, having the con-
tidence in the ability, the integrity and the
patriotism of our people which all Ameri-
cans should have in their countrymen; and
yet, they say statehood bill cannot be
passed in the face of the Presidents op-
position and the popular doubt and distrust
throughout the east as to the sincerity of
the Mormons.
In the House not a word of opposition to
the bill has been heard. The sentiment
there is SO strongly in favor of the
measure that members do not hest
tate to say that the bill will be
promptly passed over the Presidents veto
in tue event of veto being interposed
However, it is not thought the President
will resort to his constitutional objection to
defeat the bill. The measure exactly
meets the conditions which he suggested in
his message, and being favored by both
Republicans and Democrats it is believed
that he will approve it, and thus give the
Mormons the opportunity to demonstrate
that they are scandalized by those who ex-
press doubt as to their honesty and sincerity
in politics.
1t may be added that everybody seems to
understand that within a year or two the
territory will be admitted to the Union.
That is the universal sentimentin Washing.
ton, and even those who are now pronounced
and unreasonable in their opposition to
statehood say that If matters shall work
well under the Home Rule law the next
Congress, no matter what its political
complexion, will be absolutely certain to
admit the state.
In conversation with Mr. RAwLINs, hi
expressed the surprise of himself and the
other members of the delegation at the
hearty and cordial manner in which they
were received, and the warm interest
which Congressman manifested in the Utat
question. The delegation found eager
listeners everywhere, and as our readers
are already aware, the territoris
committees of either house de-
parted from the usual custom
and held meeting after meeting, giving all
an opportunity to be heard. The commit
, teemen were not merely courteous to thu
= petitioners but were themselves earnes
t searchers for facts, and when the hearings
closed it is safe to say that SO far as tn
members of the committees were oncernet
they were thoroughly familiar with the
anomalous condition of things prevailing il
this territory.
AS matter of fact this very Utah ques
ton is to-day one of the most importan
things before Congress. Heretofore tn
mention of Utah suggested "Mormons'
and "polygamy," and nobody from thi
territory could command attention o
WELD influence. Today a quarter of
million American people are appealing 70
emancipation and their rights as citizens
they do not appeal as Mormons and polyg
e amy no longer figures in the bushes:
They go up to Congress as brave an
brainy men and women, patriotic an
: proud CT their country and its institution!
and they ask that justice be done them i
their recognition as loyal, progressive pei
d pie, bent wholly upon making this countr
great and glorious. Only the narrow
minded and the bgoted now sheer mo
L mon," and the cry of 'polygamy," whic
t. was once sufficient excuse for denyin
even respectful consideration for any re
Il quest which went up for Utah, is no MOI
d heard.
The hearings before the committee
having closed The HERALD compliment
d the Democratic delegation upon the
Is splendid presentation Of the case, and col
graduates the people of Utah upon tt
circumstance that their cause has bee
u laid before Congress in most satisfaction
N manner. We are also pleased by the pro
'e pect that in the near future the people wi
have what they have never before posse
sed-Home Rule-and by the certaint
IS that before the coming Congress adjourn
T. Utah will be member Of the great feeders
u ton Of American states, part of Il
mighty republic, its people Americans
something besides birth and education.
IL
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