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

was that the Peoples party was formally
dissolved. Some of the county organiza-
lions commenced to disband. The terri
torial central committee met on regular
call, and, after discussing the question,
decided to recommend the disbanding of
the party. This advice was followed
throughout the territory and the Peoples
party was gradually but speedily dis
banded.
The Democratic and Republican organi-
cations were placed on a new footing.
Former Liberals united with former Peo-
ple's party men and invited all to come
within their ranks. A campaign of poll
teal education was inaugurated and
party politics became the popular topic
in every settlement in the Territory. The
two purported objects of the Liberal
party had been accomplished, and as a
logical and consistent sequence that
party should also then have been dis
solved.
But this did not suit the purpose and
design of the great body of the Liberal
party, dominated by few radical leaders,
They pretended that the movements of
the Mormon people were not sincere.
They were not willing to join in the di-
vision movement. Unless they could
control the political body they would not
unite with it. They therefore stood aloof,
| fighting with shadows, scoffing and scold-
ing at the ghosts of dead issues, and
vainly striving TO make past conditions
an excuse for present hostilities.
The revolution effected in Utah affairs
could not go backward. Gradually many
of the most influential Republicans and
Democrats came out from the Liberal
ranks and joined the division movement.
Leading Mormons stepped forward and,
side by side with Gentle advocates, took
the platform to promulgate the principles
of the respective parties.
In consequence of the Democratic ten
denotes OF the former Peoples party,
evinced in its platforms and declarations,
it was supposed that the great body Of its
adherents would go over to the Demo-
cratic party 1t was further surmised
that the church would cast its influence
in the same direction. But on applica-
ton to the Mormon Presidency for their
political views and intentions, they pub
lished most emphatic declarations that,
as far as they were concerned. the mem
bers of the Church were perfectly and en-
pleased. And also that they would exer-
else no sacerdotal authority whatever in
party affairs They expressed the opin-
| ion that it would be better for Utah if the
people were divided as to national parties
than ii they were all members of the same
party. But they avowed they wonld alb
stain from using any ecclesiastical infu-
ence whatever as to party affiliations.
The first territorial election after the
division took place was scarcely q full
test of the strength OF the national par
ties in Utah. 1t occurred in August 1891
and resulted in the election to the terri
torial Legislature OF "a Democrats and u
Liberals. Out of a total of q, 600
the Democratic vote was Ia, 157;
the Liberal vote 7,4O4, and the
Republican vote $3.50. The Liberals
polled their full strength. But great
many voters who desired to see the
Liberal candidates defeated and believed
that it was impossible to elect the Re
publican nominees, and having not yet
declared themselves on either side, cast
their votes so as to make sure of the cleo
ton of Democrats instead OF Liberals.
Thus the Republican strength could not
be fully estimated by the returns of that
election.
At two or three municipal elections
that followed, the Republicans gained a
victory by small majorities. This was
effected by diligent work and by the al
legged use of church influence on the part
of some persons who, without authority,
intimated that they conveyed the views
of the Mormon leaders. That such in
fuence was used there can be little doubt.
That it was unauthorized by the Mormon
President is undisputed. And that it
succeeded only in few instances is evil
dent from the figures and the increase of
accession to the Republican party from
the ranks of those who had been unde-
cided.
The most recent test OF political strength
was at the general election OF November
s, 1892, when in addition to the voting for
local officers a candidate for Delegate to
f7ono,rese 1pac nominated bv each of the