The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-03-05

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George @. Cannon's senatorial boom
is assuming greater proportions.
Republican leaders are as much
alarmed at the prospect of his election
as any Democrat. Much more, in fact,
for they see in his candidacy, if sue
cessful. the COMPLETE obliteration Of
PARTY lines in Utah. Inquiries made
yesterday by Republicans developed a
startling condition. Practically the en-
tire Republican membership of the leg
islature is already pledged 10 support
President Cannon
The fusionists. it was said, will go in
a body under the leadership of Senator
Shurtliff, who is believed to prefer the
Cannon father to the son under any
and all circumstances. AS to the Dem
ocrats, several have confessed to pref
erence for George Q. Cannon, notvith-
standing his opposing political belief.
There are political managers who as
sert they do not believe George q. Can
non can be elected, but they show indi-
cations of nervousness, even while dis
counting the churchman's chance of
success The entrance Of Cannon pere
into the race has upset all plans and
made uncertain many things previously
regarded as certaintieS. 1t has prac-
tically made necessary new align
ment so say those who are wise and
skilled in matters political.
Ii was said yesterday that Represent
alive Callister of Willard county would
present the name of George q. Cannon
at tomorrow's joint session. Then the
slump CannonWard is expected to be-
gin.
President Cannon has a. notable and
variegated corps of workers, according
to report. Chief of all is w. w. Ritter,
gold Republican and non-partisan.
Next. possibly, in order of merit as a
believer in gold recommendation is
George Y. Wallace, gold Democrat
Then follow such lesser lights as o. ].
Salisbury, hitherto reputed a staunch
silver man: Bishop H. b. Clawson,
James Sharp. United States Attorney
Whittemore and others, all EXCEPT Mr..
Salisbury alone pronounced gold Re-
publicans.
Mr.. Cannon has very recently, it is
said, had interviews in the church Of
fees with more than score Of the
members OF the legislature. To nearly
all, il is said, he has been able to find
a satisfactory explanation of his posi-
ton on the silver question. "Of course
I'm for the money OF the constitution,
he is quoted as saying to each, and
then follows with a talk about ratio
and so on. Mr.. Cannon tells the Demo-
Gratis the tariff isn't an issue, and some
of them it is believed, have accepted It,
although they were elected last fall
when the Republican party in Utah
was declaring with one voice that the
tariff was the only issue.
The appearance of the CannonS,
father and son, as candidates for the
same office is no new thing. In 1896
both wanted the senatorshfp, and if the
ache for the Office was greater in either,
the senior Cannon was the man. On
hot -ffN 1,sf1I M do NJ
Frank at a critical moment won him
the victory and his father never APP
peared openly in the fight His lieuten-
ants, the same then as now, canvassed
the legislature, including the Demo-
Gratis, but found that their choice could
not be elected.
Even after his defeat by his son,
George Q. Cannon still retained the
ambition TO be senator. One year later
the second state legislature was elect
ed. 1t was the fall of 1896. OF the six
ty-three members only three We're Re-
oublicans, and of these one was sill
yer Republican. SiXty-one were elected
pledged TO support for the senatorshio
a staunch and certain advocate OF BIZ
metallism as exploited by the Chicago
platform. This array of silver men
might have daunted an ordinary man.
but it didn't feaZe George q. Cannon.
Before the legislature convened a men,
Der u lIlG SLdlG SeHdtt. E1EtLtu 10
Democrat and silver man, traversed the
state from north TO south, from east to
west, labcring with the members to
vote for George @. Cannon. He was
unable TO receive the encouragement
necessary TO bring him out into tie
open, an acknowledged candidate, and
his name was never publicly mentioned
during the fight that resulted ultimate
1y in the election of Joseph L. RaWlins.
But, it is said, there was never a mo-
ment Of that period when he was not
hoping for a favorable opportunity TO
become the compromise candidate of
the warning Democratic factions, in
spite of his acknowledged Mckinley
RepubIcanisTn.
Amusingly enough the argument that
a senator should be chosen who will be
able TO secure the retention of his seat
for Congressman Roberts, is being
made to do service for George Q. Can
non just as il has in the past, first for
o. w. Powers and then for the junior
Cannon. But different logic is en-
ployed. This congress is strongly Re
publican" said. a Cannon (seniOr) ad-
Vocate yesterday. "and it viii be con-
trolled by administration Influences. OF
course no good Republican senator of
the Hanna. stripe VIII vote against the
seating of George @. Cannon. The Re-
publican party needs every vote 1t can
get in the senate and will forget readily
enough that George @. was even re
fused admission TO the house because
OF his living his polySamous faith. The
senate having established the prece-
dent, of course The house viii follow
suit by accepting Mr.. Roberts. George
O. Cannon's election viii compel the ac-
ceptance by the house Republicans of
Mr.. Roberts, whose term is only two
years anyway, and the whole thing is
settled. The storm bureau viii shut up
shop and the political atmosphere be-
come clarified at once.
Il am for Cannon first, last and all
the time. Not because l think he de-
serves the place. but because the whole
question, involved in Roberts election,
must then be settled in such a manner
as will determine the sincerity of the
people VINO have been fighting Rob-
erts"