The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-04
SALT LAKE. Feb. s-Rawlins -.

SALT LAKE. Feb. s-Rawlins -.
Thatcher p. Henderson /. Brown l.
This was the result OF the fifty-third
ballot OF the Utah legislature which
elected Joseph l.. Rawlins TO be United
states senator and closed one of the most
exciting political contests ever held in the
state. II was such contest as could not
have taken place IL any other state ow-
ing 20 the peculiar features which were
brought into the contest This was what
might De called church day In the joint
assembly. Church talk was injected into
the proceedings so often and 30 persist
emily that several times the presiding Of
Heer had 10 call attention 10 the fact that
II was civil body. for the purpose OF
transactlng state affairs.
Consultations between Henderson and
RaWllns men before the baloting this
morning showed that something import
ant would take place. on the first ballot
Thatcher lost one vote while Rawlins
gained six from Henderson, putting aim
at the top Of the list.
A recess wss taken until 2. m. and
when the assembly convened again over
an hour was lost In efforts made by the
Thatcher men trying 20 force an adjourn
ment. When the baliosing began nearly a
fourth Of the members took advantage of
the latitude allowed for explaining their
votes and delivered speeches in favor of
their respective candidates. Nearly all OF
the candidates friends made open charges
OF church influence against other candi-
dates. while their opponents were vehement
In denial of charges. Rldeout made a Wig
orous speech IN favor OF absolute sepaTa-
ton OF church and state lie referred TO
a block OF i've votes that had been
transferred By some unseen hand from
Henderson TO Rawlins and said ne ex-
pected to see more Of that kind of work
before the end OF the ballot. He closed by
saying that II under the conditions his
candidate CTbatcher9 should be defeated
and should take his case into the United
States senate. he could not be blamed.
Sloan. chairman Of the Democratic state
committee and one of the Thatcher lead
ers. made a ringing speech Tor his caadi-
date. He said ne had in his possession
a letter written by a member Of the legis-
lature In which he had said that he recog-
uized higher authority than his duty to
the state. Sloan served notice that IL a
United States senator vas elected by the
vote OF that member he would contest his
right 10 vote on the question. When the
roll call was finished Rawlius had 81 votes.
or within one OF election, while Thatcher
had sbou; "a
Several members changed to Thatcher
from other candidates until his vote was
brought ND 70 - Daring the time the
intense and the applause from the MEM
bers and galleries almost shook the build
ing Calls were made for Representattv
Wilson TO change and swell the Thatcher
vote bat without avail. Finally Repre-
sentative Hansen. Republican. who had
voted for Goodwin. changed 20 RawIins.
and his election was Officially announced.
Joseph Lafayette Rswlins IS Is years
old and was born in Salt Lake county.
Utah. He received rart Of his education
IN this city. graduating later from the
Indiana state university at BLOOMINGTON.
IL studied law In this city and was ad-
mitted 10 tire bar in 1870 He has always
been identified with the Democratic party
81 Utah. ard Is an advocate o. free coin
age 81 Silve-. lie WAS elected 70 congress
as delegate on the Democratic ticket
IN 1882. defeating Frank J. Cannon but
Was defeated by Cannon in 1894. He was
a delegate 20 the lest Democratic national
convention, and was member Of the
committee on resolutions. He Is a. pres
enf member ot the Jaw firm OF Rawlins
& Crltchlow in this city.