The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-02-11

been IN error. l am very anxious TO
know it, and 1 will be ready to make
the necessary recantation. 1t has been
charged that certain influences have
been exercised upon members. and
these charges have been denied. II it
be true that no such influences were
exercised, then the only ones who can
| suffer by this investigation are those
who made the charges, and those who
have denied the charges should be
most anxious for the investigation to
be made.
q shall count the vote of every man
who does not dare to meet the issue,
and it will be so counted by the people
of the state. This is a serious matter
RumorS are going out over the state
that those who made these charges
have nothing behind them. Once it is
proven that there is nothing in the
charges. no one will be more willing
to acknowledge that an injustice has
been done than l.
Shepard was heartily in sympathy
with the resolution and expressed his
views with a vigor approaching We
| hemence. Il heartily concur in the res
olution," said he. 1T is extremely easy
to fiaunt church influence IN the face
of the people. 1 want an investigation,
and while the investigation is going
I on, l want the acts of all the So-called
apostles of liberty investigated. 1 will
offer an amendment, calling for an in
! VeStigatiOn of the acts of every Sena-
torial candidate.
In regard to my own conduct" pro-
ceeded Shepard, with much warmth,
1T has been openly charged that all
the men who voted for Rawlins and
! Henderson were induced TO vote that
way BY church influence. AS far as
my action is concerned, I invite the
! fullest and freest inquiry into every
act and every vote of mine. They have
/ thrown down the challenge to every
member who did not see fit to vote for
/ Moses Thatcher. court the fullest in
vestigation that can come, and those
who stood with me in the fight for
Joseph L. Rawlins court the same in
vestigation. My vote was free from
any influence whatever except the die
! tates Of my own conscience and my
! own judgment. I was acting, as l be-
| lieved, for the best interests of the
state os Utah; for the best interests
! of the Democratic party of Utah. 1
/ want TO see an investigation of every
! act Of mine. not only at the Rawlins
! headquarters. but also within the con-
/ fines of the Knutsford hotel. You can
not make it too full, as far as I am
! concerned. 7 am with Mr.. Sloan from
start 20 finish.
I want to include another PROPOSE
ton in my amendment, that the in
vestisation show to the fullest extent
/ the amount of money spent by each
candidate in the campaign"
Shepard'S amendment was seconded
from the Thatcher side. He was given
leave TO reduce il to writing after ad-
jcurnment, and it was ordered printed
in the journal.
ROBINSON'S JOKE.
Robinson, the Republican joker. Of
fered an amendment directing that it
be ascertained what undue church in
fiuence induced the minority to vote
for Arthur Brown. His contribution
received no second.
l. Kenner wanted the resolution fixed
as the special order for Friday at
O'Clock. He was decidedly in favor of
the investigation. but he believed there
should be a full discussion of the sub
ject.
4 think we ought to appoint this
church and state commission right
now said Wilson.
Taylor suggested that the matter be
hxed for Friday night, and Shepard
moved that it be taken up today at 10
o. clock.
Romney was for full hearing on
the floor of the house, land let the gal
leries hear what is to be said"
Bennion was opposed TO the investi-
cation. He was not fearful of the in
vestigation in the least degree but the
legislature had already frittered away
a great deal of precious time that
should have been devoted to the serv-
ice Of the people. He was convinced
that the great majority of the people
did not favor a further waste of time
over this matter.
Parry declared there had been much
said, in certain quarters. about church /
influence. and he asked that the people /
to prefer charges against individual
members, and let the accused mem bers
clear themselves. He was IN favor OF
an investigation.
Hardy courted an investigation, al
though he believed the resolution was /
recklessly drawn and would make Sc
riOus inroads or the time of the legis- /
lature. The hackers of the resolution !
had evidently expected that the reso- |
luton would be defeated, and he would /
like TO see them disappointed. He |
wanted to see the investigation made. /
but was not in favor of wasting the |
funds of the state to crafty the wishes |
of those back of it.
Taylor thought the resolution should
be considered il a regular manner and /
passed upon by a special committee /
appointed by the chair.
WANTED NO DELAY.
Shepard opposed any pOstponement. /!
The other side wants a speedy in /
vestigation," said he. and 1 favor |
making it just as speedy as possible"
4 would ike to know what the gen (
teman means by referring to the other /
side in this matter" inquired Sloan
You know l was on your side for !
half a day." replied Shepard. with a
grim smile.
Hanson thought both sides should be !
heard and the members given an OPP I
portunity TO clear themselves of these /
charges.
BenniOn favored consideration in the /
evening, in order that committee meet /
ings might not be interfered with
1t was finally decided that the mat I
ter be taken up this evening at 1880.
THE AMENDMENT.
Mr. Shepard last evening reduced his /
amendment 10 writing and some very |
sensational charges are implied by its /
language. AIr. Shepard expressed the /
belief that the amendment was fully /
justified by the circumstances, and de- (
clared that the investigation must go /
on. his amendment is to strike out I
all the portion commencing, BE it /
further resolved, and to substitute, the /
following:
Il As to whether or not there was /
any influence, ecclesiastical or other
wise, used for or against any person
who was d candidate for United States
senator from Utah before the legis-
lature of 1897 or whether any such (
influences were used to coerce, intimi-
date or otherwise control the vote of
any member Of said legislature on said /
question