Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-01-07
THE STATE OF UTAH.


lowed by the Inauguration OF state
Omcers
Salt Lake, Utah, January 6.-AnOther
State has been added to the Union and
the rights Of self-government have been
extended to a quarter Of a million in
dusuious, law abiding and intelligent
people
The oath Of Office was administered
TO the State officials of Utah at noon to-
day. and a new State. with her vast
resources. starts of with the promise
Of a bright and glorious future.
The city was crowded with people
from an parts Of the State Acting
Governor Richards had, by proclama-
tion, declared the day a holiday All
business was suspended. and the build
ings a,ong the principal streets were
decorated with the national cOlOrs
The day was ushered in by the ring
ing of bells and the sounding OF all the
steam whistles in the city.
AT IL o'clock the street parade, under
the direction of Grand Marshal Burton,
moved from the corner of Main and
South streets. The parade included
Gen. PenroSe and staff. Federal troops
and the National Guard Of Utah, mem-
bers of the Legislature. civic societies
and citizens.
While the parade was taking place
the artillery on Arsenal Hill was firing
salute of forty-fye guns Acting
Governor Richards. as master of cere-
monies. called the House TO order ana
prayer was offered by Wilfred Wood
ruff president of the Mormon church.
He prayed for the welfare of the nation
to which Utah viii ever be loyal and
for the prevalence Of justice, mercy,
truth and peace, so that every soul
might Doe free 90 worship as he sees tit.
The star Spaugled Banner" was
rendered by chorus Of one thousand
voices. After this the proclamation of
the President of the United States
granting Statehood TO Utah was read
by eX-Delegate Joseph L. Rawlins.
The oath of office was admin stored 70
. -he governor and the state officers by
Chief Justice Zane OF tle supreme Court
OF he State
GOV. Wells then delivered his inaugu-
raj address. He sad, Let US con-
gr3ula-e the p.oneers-that heroic
band of patriots who blazed away for
western civiLzaion-wh0 turned the
waters upon tle burning soil and wruug
from desoiac.on the bountsous harvests
which we are re2D.ng-whO planted the
stars and stripes on y0nder peak and
.n the name Of freedom began the work
which we are cOnsummat.ng now.
AS for these of MS who followed in
7 their wake. whether we came TO Utah
/ .u the slow moving prairie schooner Of
frontier days. or IN tle lightning eX-
press train Of more recent years, or
whether bern upon the SOL. le, us clasp
hands upon The natal day and COngat-
u.ate each other upon the happy solu-
tom of an past contentious and our
success. on to the full rights and privi-
.eges of citizenship IN a free and SOW
e-a gn state Of the grandest republic
the world has ever known.
"Ali while fe.ictating ourselves and
our State upon aer admission to the
Union let us not omit 10 congratulate
The union upon the acquisition Of anoth-
sr commonwealth Of magnificent proper
lions and superb possibilities
eff I were asked 10 enumerate in more
specific terms the riches that Utah af-
f0rds the country as recompense for her
statehood. I could say she offers the gold
and silver. lead and copper and iron
of her mountains; the luxurious soil of
her valleys; the matchless l.fe-saving
climate. a most efficient public school
system and the gratitude of a happy,
homogeneous and patriotic people
The Governor then reviewed in detail
the many efforts made by Utah to Sc
cure statehood from 1S47 to the present
day.
Continuing ne said: "What better evil
duces of the entire sincerity Of all the
people IN their present convictions could
De given than that Chief Justice Zane,
who .n the past. acting under a cOnsci-
e1tous regard for duty, has sentenced
hundreds of Morm0ns 10 the peniten-
-'3ry now SITS upon this platform as
the h0nOred choice Of the electors of
Utah for the highest judicial office N
the State. and that a Mormon born and
reared should be delivering from the
same platform this address as the Cow
an0r of Utsl?"
The Governor then gave an exhaustive
review Of the financial and industrial
condition Of the State. The ceremonies
closed with patriotic music.