The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-07
UTAH..

Special Correspondence of the
Salt Lake, Aug. 6.-Utah's political
affairs are in a chaotic state and no one
can foretell with confidence upon what
lines the campaign will be shaped, ex-
cept that there will be no such COM
plete fusion as has been urged by the
national silver leaders and accom-
plished in some other states. Political
conditions here are and always have
been peculiar. owing to the frequent
activity in politics of ec~clesiastic lead
ers, an uncertain element upon which
1t is difficult to calculate. A compari-
son OF the voting strength of the par
ties will assist to a clearer understand
ing Of the situation. At the election OF
1896 the straight democratic vote was
47.217; silver republican, II, 634; McKin-
ley republican, 13.461. The populist vote
was insignificant, about 1000.
These figures are accounted for in
the following way: In the 1896 election
the silver republicans and populists
voted for Bryan. Or congressman the
silver republicans united with the Nc
Kinley republicans, and the populists
had their own candidate. Bryan's to-
tai vote was s4.s51. The straight demo-
Ntdl " Ncii6ANSS
47,217. Deduct the democratic vote for
congressman from the total vote for
Bryan and the remainder. 1894. repre-
sents the silver republican and popu-
list vote. The populist candidate for
congress received 1000. Deduct this,
and the remainder, 1884, represents
the silver republican vote. The silver
republicans have never had a separate
candidate in the field for any office.
Since the election of 1896, many sill
yer republicans have gone over to the
democratic party and many others have
fallen back into the Mckinley camp.
and the strength Of the parties now is
estimated by democrats to be about as
| follows: Democrats, 10000; silver re
publicans, 1900; Mckinley republicans,
16. 900; populists, 1000.
Beyond a provisional state committee
the silver republicans are absolutely
without organization. Not a single coun
ty in the state is organized, and many
cannot be. There has never been a sill
yer republican ticket In the field at an!
election, general or local. Silver repub
licans voted for Bryan. but otherwis'
they have always Joined with the Nc
Kinley wing in fighting the democrats
1t was under these conditions tina
the silver republican provisional com
mittee some months ago extended
fusion invitation to the democrats an
populists. The democratic COMMITTEE
replied that the matter would be re
ferred TO the state convention. Tn
populist committee also referred tn
subject to it's state convention, but tn.
members OF the committee expressed
desire for fusion.
The election involves a member o
congress, a United States senator.
judge Of the supreme court, Legislative
and county offices. The silver republi
cans, with one-fourth OF the votinI
strength of the democrats and with n
organization. condition their fusion pro
posal upon the election of a silver re
publican as United States senator. II /
openly admitted by silver republican
that the reelection OF Senator Cannon
is the sole purpose Of fusion. This de
mand the democrats are reluctant I
concede. The democratic party leaders
with very few exceptions, have express
ed hostility to such sort Of fusion an
the Salt Lake Herald. organ of tn
party. Is likewise opposed. The demo
cratic leaders concede the wisdom Of fu