New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-10
UTAH AND STATEHOOD.
THE MORMON INFLUENCE AND ITS POSI-
BILITTES.
A QUESTION AS TO woMEN's RIGHT TO voTI
on THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FOR

| QUESTION AS TO woMENs RIGHT TO VOTE
on THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FOR
THE HOUSE AND SENATE
| Salt Lake city. Sept CspeciaD-with the party
! control Of the United States Senate depending.
extent at least. upon the two additional
which Utah will furnish when she becomes a State
1t is surprising that attention is turning from all
parts Of the country TO this point and the election
! which is TO take place here in November. While
| the election OF Senator'S does not occur that time
the Legislature which is to be chosen will elect two
United States Senators.
one question which Is being asked with much
anxiety here is the attitude Of the leaders OF
! the Mormon community in regard TO National
| politics The fact that nearly two-thirds Of the
voters OF Utah-three-hfths at least-are Mormons
or subjec, Mormon influence makes this an i'm
| portant question. Not only but the Mormon
| influence extends far outside OF Utah There
| Mormon communities all through the adjoining
States and Territories. The Mormons are especially
an agrcu tural people. and when they have in the
! past found fertile spot unoccupled in any OF the
adjoining territory their policy has been occupy
| It, Little hands OF young men and women have
| been sent year by year 10 occupy the land
and have done so persistently and faithfully. The
result is that there are thousands OF Mormon votes
to-day In Colorado. Wyoming. Idaho Arizona and
New-Mexico. There not enough TO control those
States and prospective States directly, but sufficient
in nearly all OF them TO hold the balance OF power
between the two great parties. 10 give to either
one with whom they may decide 10 cast their lot
the control OF the State In which they are located.
HOW WILL THE MORMONS VOTE?
other things being equal /, is natural that the
Mormons should their lot with the Repuoi-
cans They naturally protectonists That great
principle was the one upon which they built up their
prosperous community and its prosperity. in the
midst OF this desert has been something wonder
full Not only So but there are other reasons why
they seem likely 70 favor the Republican party.
The recent Democratic legislation taking the tarin
Off OF wool was serious blow TO them for Utah
IS great sheep and wool producing country. There
was prior TO the removal OF the duty on wool. no
surer Investment here than large flock of sheep
But the removal Of the duty wool changed all
that and has strengthened Republlcanism az the
time. Then. too, the repeal or the bounty on
sugar was serious blow 10 the Mormons. They
had established a beet sugar Industry and just got
It on a paying basis with prospect of great sue
cess. when the Democratic Congress swooped down
upon them and took the bounty away Now sugar
by reason OF the overproduction abroad is cheaper
than ever before. and they get no bounty on what
they produce Besides this the three leading men
OF the Church. William Woodruff Joseph smith ana
George O. Cannon. Republicans In sentiment
The first two are outspoken Republicans. and 1t Is
understood that Mr. Cannon's sympathies and views
are with the Republican, although he sat on the
Democratic side when he delegate In Con-
gress Going even further back II is asserted tnat
the first Joseph Smith was a Protectonist' ana
his writings this subject have been made use OF
TO align the Mormons with the Republican party
| In former elections
While the Democats recognize the fact that there
is a tendency in the direction OF Repubicanism in
the views and surroundings OF the Mormons they
| do not concede that the Republicans are going 70
carry the coming election that the Mormons are
likely to cast their lot wiki that party as a class
II tim IN he fact
| publican platform cassed polygamy and slavery as
| twin relics OF barbarsm" that the Republican
| party originated the legislation under which the
Mormons we're not only compelled to give UP polyg-
| amy but under which many hardships were endured
| and that the Republicans time after time refused
| admttance 70 Utah as a State. even opposing II In
tho last Congress They also point out the fact that
until the last election there has been little evidence
OF Republican strength In the Territorial elections
| There are many strong and prominent Mormons
| closely identified with the Democratic party. The
| fight which Delegate Caine. a Democrat. made
! for the Mormons while in Congress strengthened
the party here and that which Delegate Rawins.
| who Is not a Mormon. but Democrat. made In the
| last Congress strengthened the Democrats materi-
| ally with the Mormons mass. 1t will be re-
| rnembered that Mr.. Rawlins made a sharp and Wig
orous reply 10 the speech OF Congressman Morse OF
Massachusetts, who had attacked the Mormons In
the discussion OF the bill for the admission OF Utah.
| This has endeared Rawlns TO the Mormons and
strengthened the Democrats accordingly. There are
Others who believe. 100. that the Influence OF the
| Mormons will be cast in favor OF Democratic
legislature at the coming election for the sake OF
| making sure that President Cleveland issues the
| proclamation admitting the State the En-
| aiding act is adopted It doubtless Will be.
| WOMAN SUFFRAGE A FEATURE.
| Woman suffrage is to cut quite an important fea-
ture in the coming election in Utah. and might
prove a serious factor in the admission o. the Ter
| ritory State and in the admission Of Senators
| to seats in the Senate. The situation is some
| what complicated and interesting one. Women
| formerly voted IN Utah. but they were disfranchsed
| several years ago for the purpose OF making the
control OF polygamy difficult for all the Mormon
women voted In the interests OF poygamy. When the
Constitution for the proposed new State was framed
| It provided that women should have the right to
| vote In the new State should have all the rights
that men have in voting. holding office. etc. This
new constitution is be voted upon at the Novem-
| Der election and the time the voters TO
vote for officers Governor. members OF the Legs-
| lature etc, who 10 assume .-e duties OF the
Offices provided the constitution Is adopted and the
! President issues his proclamation making Utah
| State.
| Curously. II Is assumed that the women have the
right TO vote at the election which the proposed
| constitution Is 10 be voted upon. 1t is only that
constitution which makes them voters II adopted.
| yet II is assumed that they may vote, not only on
It's adoption. but also for members or the Legislat
| ure Governor and other State officers at the ap
| preaching November election This proposition.
strange as II seems has been submitted TO the court
| OF the Territory. n United States court. and the
| Democratic Judge has decided In favor OF the
women. The has been appealed. for the sake
OF final decision before the election TO the highest
Territorial court. and the decision is awaited
with much interest Meantime the women are reg
istering and preparing 20 vote. What the effect OF
this may be- either on President Cleveands procla-
nation admitting the State or on the reception OF
the Senator's elected by Legislature chosen by the
| aid OF womens under these peculiar circum-
stances Is hard TO say. II might result In a contest