The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-12-24

thusiasm. This led to some measures
that were indefensible. The Republican
candidate was the son of a leading and
respected Mormon who had himself been
a Delegate to Congress. The Democratic
candidate was of Mormon parentage, but
well known as Mormon lawyer for
many years. Pamphlets were printed and
distributed by the Republicans with the
intent of conveying the impression
that the Church leaders had al
ways been 'protectionist Republicans
or Wings, and that the source of all Nor
mon troubles and prosecutions was the
Democratic party. The Democratic can
didate was denounced as an apostate and
a traitor. Some local subordinate church
leaders intimated that it was the wish of
the authorities that the Republican cam
didate should be elected, and that the
election of the Democratic candidate would
be a great disaster.
The votes for Delegate by official count
figured as follows: For the Democratic
candidate, 10, 211; for the Republican,
u, 400; for the Liberal, 1883; total votes,
"a. 6o5. This was gain for both Republi
cans and Democrats over the vote of 1891,
and a small lossIto the Liberals, greater
however than it appears because the in
crease of the population should have in
creased instead of lessened their vote.
The larger Republican gain is to be ac-
counted for by the diligent work that was
done and to some extent by the influences
heretofore alluded to. The Democratic
plurality of 2,SO6 however was highly
satisfactory under the circumstances and
proved that the great body of Mormon
voters were true to their convictions and
to their party obligations.
The Liberal party, Notwithstanding its
great defeat in the Territory, and in Sum
NIT county its oldest and greatest
stronghold, yet held its own in
Salt Lake county and so main
tanned it's position of hostility to
the local Democratic and ReDub-
lican parties. 1t has kept up
its objections to statehood while adj
uniting that condition to be imminent.
Still pretending to fear ''Mormon DOM
nation it announces it's intention to
fight against the admission of Utah into
the Union. A prominent ex-Liberal, now
a leading Democrat, on being asked why
it is that the Liberal party and organ
still cling to that dead issue, answered,
Because it has nothing else to hang to.''
This aptIy describes its present position.
The political situation in Utah today is
Democratic preponderence of voters and
sympathizers sufficient to maintain the
supremacy OF that party in the event of
immediate statehood. When the time
comes that the Liberal party shall divide
"a period that cannot possibly be far off,
the larger section will undoubtedly
gravitate to the Republican party. But
there are a sufficient number who are
known or profess to be Democrats, with
the voters who We're unduly influenced to
support the Republican candidate at the
November election, to form good Dem
ocratic majority on territorial vote and
a fair proportion in the various counties
and cities.
The great obstacle to Utah's progress
now is her territorial condition with pc
culiar disabilities. Not only is the gov
ernor appointed without consent of her
citizens, but he holds the power of
absolute veto over all her legislation.
The Utah Commission appoints all the
registration and election officers and is
partisan body in its spirit and acts. The
executive and judicial officers OF the terri
tory, and even the probate judges in the
counties, are appointed by the Federal
power. Restrictive congressional laws
still regulate the local affairs, although
the conditions that were thought to JUS
tify their enactment have passed away.
Statehood alone is Utah's hope of poiiti-
cal redemption and permanent material
welfare.
The future, however, is pregnant with
promise and radiant with coming glory.
Prejudices that have injured Utah for
many years are rapidly passing away.
Her people are becoming better known.
Her resources and capabilities are world
famed. Her fitness for seIf-government
is acknowledged. Only the action of
Congress on bill already presented is
necessary to cut the cords that bind her,
and to lift her up, free and untrammeled,
and fully prepared to join with the rest
of the nation in the grand march to the
perfection of political liberty and power.
IItah1s NIGHT of nolitical bondage has