The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-29
A Fair Territory That Is Rich
in Resources and At
fractions.
IT'S WONDERFUL PROGRESS
The City Of the Saints as 1t Is To-
Day-Changes Which a Few
Years Have Made.

the coming State. The political and social
interests of its people will now find voice
in the halls of National legislation and
commerce, while the sparks of achieve
ment, long smoldering, will burn with
ever-increasing brightness when famed by
the prosperity which will surely come with
Statehood.
The eyes of many have recently been
turned upon this fair Territory, not only on
account of its coming importance in the
political issues of the Nation, but also
from the fact of it's changed social oondi-
tons, it's resources and attractions and its
growing financial relation to the surround
ing States in the West.
The changes in its political, social and
financial condition during the last few
years have been most marked, and to-day
Utah is passing through the most impor-
tant epoch in its history, endeavoring to
enter the Union as free and independent
State, having passed through the late finan-
cial storm with but little damage; and for
the first time the people of the Territory
have recently appeared at the polls under
the banners of Republicanism and Democ-
racy, with signal victory for the first
named cause.
For years the political fight in Utah
was kept up on religious lines-the Peoples
party (Mormon) against the Liberal party
(non-Mormon). With the disbanding of
the Peoples party some years ago, and the
more recent disruption of the Liberals, the
two great National parties slowly raised
their heads, and the old fights, the bitter
ness of the past, faded into memory. It
was generally supposed that the Peoples
party was Democratic, and that the Lib
erals were mostly Republicans. This was
partly proved in the election of 1892, when
the fight was made between Democracy,
Liberalism and q small array of faithful
Republicans. The People's-Democrati
candidate was elected to Congress as Del
egate from Utah, and the prognosticators
smiled. In the more recent election, that
of last November, when only the National
party lines were drawn, the Republicans
elected their candidate, and many came
to the conclusion that there was heavy
percentage of Republicans in both the old
local factions. Be that as it may, the rea-
sons which made Utah Republican can be
ascribed to the silver and wool legislation,
combined with the present policy of the
administration.
In accordance with the provisions of the
enabling act the Constitutional Conven-
ton is now assembled in a magnificent
and new city and county building framing
the laws which will govern the new State.
The constitution will first be submitted to
the people, and then presented to Con-
gress with the petition for the admission
of Utah into the Union.
The complexion of the convention is Re-
publican, and it's sessions so far have not
been characterized by any serious disturb
ances ON party issues, although the
woman's suffrage question called up a
lengthy discussion. From the first it was
known that the woman suffrage plank
would be introduced, but it was not
deemed party issue, as the convention
was divided on the subject, and many
wanted the question submitted to the
people in a separate article. At present it
| is pretty certain that it will form an article
in the constitution, and if the people want
it they will vote for it.
The convention has just closed a severe
struggle with prohibition. This question
has been hanging fire for some months.
In Salt Lakes social life can be seen the
most striking changes of all. In the past
there was little utilization between Mormon
and gentle, but to-day this has been en-
tirely forgotten and the utmost cordiality
exists between all, the leading set in the
city being equally made up of the wealth,
education and refinement of the inhabi-
tants, with no thought of religious ideas.
The dozen or more schools which have
been erected here but recently are source
of pride to the whole Territory, while the
system, generally speaking, is revelation,
owing to the short time it has taken to
build it up.
The growth of churches and religious
bodies has been noticeable for the last
few years, and on Easter the services were
of high order, while the music in many
was really excellent, and the congrega-
| tons were not only large but the number
of strangers seen in attendance upon that
day in the various churches proved con-
clusively that there is a steady influx of
good Americans into this portion of the
West.
The evolution of architecture in Salt
Lake is most interesting study. Stand
ing in the upper part of town is little
hewn-log, Undiscovered house, one of the
first built here in 1s47. 1t is a famous old
landmark and the first place where the
tourist is driven. Directly opposite, on an
other corner, commanding a perfect view
of the valley, is the handsome residence of
leading banker built few years ago,
and often the scene of an up-to-date recep-
ton, german or other entertainment. The
contrast is striking and shows at a glance
the difference between then and now.
Two dozen homes could be mentioned
which have been erected in the last five
years, with all the modern ideas of luxury,
comfort and artistic effect. The number of
less pretentious homes is also very large
houses which, in cost, range from $4,000 to
$4,000, and are erected by the solid bust
ness class of men These homes have done
much to encourage the entertainments and
social functions which go so far toward
making city an attractive place for a
stranger to settle in, and the cordiality
shown visitors who come with an intro
duction or on a visit to local friends, is
marked for its sincerity and has often been
the subject of pleasant comment by those
who have enioved STAY in Salt Lake