The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-13
GEO. Q. CANNON ON POLITICS.
Church Official Gives Some surpris-
ing Information.
anaconda Standard.)

George @. Cannon of Salt Lake, one
of the most eminent dignitaries of the
Mormon church, was in Butte yester-
day, accompanied by his wife and two
sons, DR.. W. T. Cannon and Sylvester
@. Cannon, and Judge Young and Mr.
and Mrs. Crismon. Judge Young and
Mr.. Crismon are also prominent in the
Mormon church, and the parties are on
their way to Alberta, b. c., to visit
the Mormon colony there, the church
having a considerable settlement at
, that place.
George Q. Cannon has been promi
nent in the country for many years as
| a leader of the Mormon church and as
| delegate in congress from Utah some
years ago. He is a well-preserved old
man and very pleasant gentleman to
meet. In Utah he is power in the
church. and also in politics, notwith-
standing the fact that, during an in
terview a Standard reporter had with
him yesterday, he disclaimed any ac-
! tive interest in the politics of his state.
II leave politics TO Others" he said,
but sometimes they call on me as
sort of reserve force
Mr.. Cannon probably referred to the
| eleventh hour effort made by his fol-
e
! him United States senator to succeed
his son. Frank Cannon, the present SEN
ator from that state. In speaking of
Utah politics, Mr.. Cannon said the
straight Republicans We're, of course,
for Mckinley and approved his admin
istration and his conduct of the war in
the Philippines. The silver Repub-
licans still maintain an independent or
ganization. but in the opinion of Mr..
Cannon they seem to be drifting back
into the old party, as they are doing
in Montana. Mr.. Cannon himself is a
Mckinley Republican and recognized
as gold standard man. while his son.
Senator Cannon, is very strong and
uncOmpromiSing silver Republican.
The silver Republicans of Utah."
said Mr.. Cannon yesterday. ARE dis
gusted with the Democrats. They
sought TO unite with the Democrats in
the last Legislature, but the Democrats
rejected their offers and overtures and
regarded them as rivals, with the re-
suit that the legislature failed to elect
a senator on my way east | travelled
with three very prominent silver Re
publicans from my state, one of whom
holds a state office. We talked about |
the future of the silver Republican |
party and 1 asked him what his posi- !
ton was. He did not commit himself, |
but spoke for his two companions, and |
bdlI bIty NOuli Dt lOuuu SupROI llli5
the straight Republican ticket in the |
next campaign. They are men who |
have given their time and money to the |
silver Republicans, and their return to /
the old party indicates to me the way
the silver Republicans of Utah are GO
ing"
Mr. Cannon gave it as his opinion
that the silver sentiment was not as
strong in his state as it had formerly
been, and that 1t would not be n lead
ing issue in the next presidential cam
paign. My own belief is, though I
must say it is not shared by many men
in my state. that silver. while it is not
dead, has. ceased to be the paramount
issue in this country 1t has been over
Swallowed by the question of expansion
and the war policy of this country. In
Utah the Republicans support President
Mckinley and his policy. The silver
are divided on the question
of expansion and the Democrats are
not entirely united
Mr.. Cannon was asked few ques-
lions about the renewed anti Mormon
subject upon which he cared to talk.
1T is deplorable.' he said. land l re-
greet it very much
The agitation is the result of the
election of Mr.. Roberts to congress
and in line with the effort to unseat
him. admitted Mr.. Cannon Mr. Rob
erts, he said, is an able man and has a
large following in Utah. He is ambi-
tious made hard fight and won.
Mr.. Cannon turned questioner and
inquired about politics in Montana. the
of ex-senators and ex-congress-
men, the health of the p; lie of Butte,
expressed himself pleased with the
sool weather he found in Montana and
asked about Major Maginnis, with
whom he served eight years in con-
yress. and to whose abilities he paid
tribute. Mr.. Cannon and his party left
'or the north at $3.50 last evening.