The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-11-18
Especial to The Herald

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE Her
aid correspondent saw Governor West
at the Riggs house last night and asked
him some questions in reference to the
report that he had stated that The
cry of church interferences in Utah was
entirely uncalled for, and that the in
lection of this issue into the campaign
defeated the Democrats" He was
asked:
do you wish tc be quoted as saying
you believe there was no church inter
terence in polfttcs?"
What 1 mean is this said he.
.sThere was interference in politics
fibm individuals of the church, as
there has been all along. 1 do not
know what George Q. Cannon has done
in this way. for he is secretive and
works in ways that are sometimes
mysterious. 1t devolved upon Joseph
=. Smith 10 rebuke members Of the
church for violating church rules This
may be regarded by some as church
interference, hut whether or not, l say
it was unwise for our party to make
an issue of this matter The first mis-
taGe our people made was in nominal
tnssYsenators. It was not true, as some
tried to make it appear, that Richards,
Henderson and myself had a comblna-
ton, but it is certain there was q COM
bine made by Rawlins with Thatcher.
They precipitated this thing last spring.
/ told them it was a, mistake. l knew
it would cost US the legislature, al
though 1 hoped we might elect state
officers, but when they injected the
Mormon church interference issue in
to the campaign. Democrats only pro-
vided the Republicans with ammuni-
ton. Both Powers and Roberts under
stand we'll enough how feel for told
Powers that it was a mistake. Powers
conceded that it would be difficult to
make out a case of church interior
ence, under all the circumstances. and
he backed down from his anti-state-
ho49 resolution, and it would have
been far better for the party if wiser
counsel had prevailed and nothing been
said about church interference
at have thought. and think now, that
the bulk of the GIormons favored the
Democratic party, and believe that all
would have gone we'll if our campaign
had been managed right What right
had we to raise the cry of church in
reference when it was well known
that we were nominating good church
members like Thatcher, Game and Rob
erts. in order to influence Mormons to
cast their influence for our ticket?"
declared Governor West.
But was not the action Of the Trib-
une IN defending the church sus-
melons circumstance that should have
wArned and did warn the Democrats
and influence their action?' the cor
respondent asked and Governor West
replied:
s.The Tribune naturally seized hold
of the ammunition which our side
FURNISHED.
n far as the Tribune is concerned.
thy Utah people understand we'll
enough that its editors do not like
hair of my head because they have
never been able to control me. IN
any criticism / make OF the way the
Democratic campaign was conducted l
mist not be understood as endorsing
the Tribune or its utterances on any
question:
Governor West expressed the opin-
ion that Utah Democrats would not
seek to influence President Cleve-
land 20 withhold his statehood procia-
NATION.
81 wanted Utah a Democratic state"
said he, but would rather have Re-
publican Utah than no state at all.
president Withholding his proclama-
ton"
Governor West will remain here
week or two longer 1t is reported
that he would like a federal judicial
position when Utah becomes a state.
If Judd is made judge. Governor West,
it is understood, would like to be
United States district attorney.
S&me of Governor Vests friends
here are inclined to the belief that
while he would like to be honored with
a judicial appointment when his term
as governor expires, in NORTH or
two. he is looking forward to IL next
senatorial election in Utah. It is the
understanding that Utah's senators
will serve for one and two years re-
spectively, according to lot, and it is
thought Governor West may have as
piratiens TO succeed the one whose
term expires first. 1t is certain that
ne was very much disgruntled because
Rawlins and Thatcher were nominated
10y the convention. and mis- interview
with The Herald representative is GER
tai1ly calculated to create the impress
do.s that Governor West has hope Of