Evening star., 1900-09-18
REPUBLICAN HOPES
Confident in Their Ability to Garry
Utah.
INTELLIGENT DRIFT TO M'KNLEY
Influence of Mormon Church to
Determine the Result.
THE STATE PROSPEROUS
INTELLIGENT DRIFT TO M'KINLEY
IE STATE PROSPEROUS
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
SALT LAKE CITY. Utah,
September Ii, 1900.
The republicans of Utah are most conf
dent as to their ability to carry the state
in the coming presidential election. This
confidence arises from the strong drift
away from Mr.. Bryan and his platform
which is in evidence in every voting dis
trict. It must be remembered, however,
that Bryan carried Utah In 1896 by a very
large proportionate majority, receiving
about 5000 votes out Of total of about
1900, or about SO per cent of the whole.
+ Whether the change which Is now 80
noticeable is sufficiently far reaching to
bring about republican victory is a ques-
ton. Utah will be very close state. though
the chances still favor the democratic party
In the final result. There are several rea-
sons for this one being the free silver
sentiment which still exists among the
mining population. There is no attempt on
the part of the democrats here to put that
Issue in the background. AS in Colorado, 1t
is looked upon as a personal matter of par
ticular local Importance, and no matter
how deeply the people may feel on other
national issues, free silver will be the domi-
nant idea in the minds of those who vote
the Bryan ticket.
The intelligent vote of Utah which was
swept into the Bryan camp in 1896 on the
free silver tidal wave Of that year has ap-
parently regained it's self-control and is
prepared to weigh the platforms Of the
two parties carefully and conservatively
before taking sides. 1t is this vote which
has returned will return largely to the
republican party. The danger to the repub-
lican ticket is from the ignorant rural and
Mormon vote. which Is essentially sympa-
thetic with the Kansas City platform.
The Mormon Influence.
Leading republicans profess to believe
that the silver issue has become so quiet,
thus leaving the democrats without any
stirring call to arms, that the republican
nominees stand an excellent show Of carry
ing majority of the vote. This Is based
upon the return to the republican party of
a large proportion of the silver republicans
and the dissatisfaction which exists among
the allies of the democrats with the course
of the latter In the distribution Of the
fusion offices. The attitude of the Nor
mon. Church is the most important ques-
ton in Utah politics, and whichever way
the church decides to exercise it's infu
ence will, in view of the even balance be-
tween the parties, determine the result.
No man can tell which way this influence
will be thrown. and even those best in
formed upon Utah politics do not attempt
to even make guess as to the position the
leaders Of the church will take in this cleo
ton.
Both republican and democratic tickets
are Mormon, so one has no advantage over
the other in its call upon church sympa-
thies. The democrats are making q great
deal Of capital out Of the prominence as
sumed by ex-senator Frank Cannon in
democratic affairs. Senator Cannon pre-
sided over the recent state democratic con-
vention and announced his allegiance to
the democratic party with more or less
sensational effect. His position might be
taken to mean a great deal as to the atti-
tude of the Mormons toward national poll
tics this year, except for the fact that 1t
is generally understood he desires to be
returned to the United States Senate. and,
believing that victory would rest with the
fnsionists, he has taken occasion in a man
ner which would bring him into sharp
lief against the political horizon and bring
to his support many Independent influences.
There is one consideration, however, in
defining the political attitude Of the Nor
mon Church which must not be forgotten
and that Is the desire of the church to be
in favor with the administration in Wash
ington.
Belief in McKinley's Reelection.
In Utah, as we'll as in nearly every other
western state, 1t is believed by party lead
ers, regardless OF which party they belong
to, that President NICK nley will be
elected. Some of the best Informed gen
tiles in Salt Lake City argue from this that
in the end the weight Of the Mormon
party. The Mormon leaders are most skill
full politicians. They have way of making
both sides bel eve that their sympathies are
with them and ii is not until the vote is
cast that the public is able to say just how
the church voted. Both democratic and
publican chairmen have been known to
make the statement the night before cleo
ton day that they We're all right they
had received Information from church head
quarters to the effect that the church
with them. The truth Of the matter is that
the policy of the Mormon Church is direct
ed by not over two three men, and these
men keep their plans to themselves until
the time comes to make strike, and even
when this strike is made, it Is done in such
a way to make 1t very difficult to de-
termine exactly who it was who brought
the pressure to bear.
The woman vote of Utah, with the excep-
ton Of that in a few gentle communities, is
a church vote, and a candidate Of the
church generally receives the full benefit os
female suffrage in the state 1t is a fact
we'll known in Utah that the women have
given strong support, not only to the church
when attacked but to the institution of
polygamy which is still far from being
eradicated in Utah.
The democrats are making something OF
the trust issue. in view Of the operations Of
the smeter combine, but there does not
seem to be any widespread opposition in
Utah. nor is it so outspoken as it is in
Colorado. Anti-imperialism is not strong
card with the people of Utah, for to them
1t Is a very intangible sort of thing. The
soldiers Utah sent to the Philippines COW
cred themselves with glory and brought
honor to the state they represented. These
men are now scattered throughout every
community and majority of them are ex-
pansonists. The same lack of personal
alteration of Bryan is manifest in Utah this
year as 1t is in other western states. In
strong contrast to the enthusiasm which
prevailed four years ago.
The state Prosperous.
The state whole IS very prosperous.
Mining development has proceeded in
most satisfactory way, and the stockmen
and farmers have done better during the
past two years than they ever have before
since Utah was organized as a territory.
Prices for agricultural products have been
high and the market ready. The sheep busi-
ness is especially profitable and the in
creased price Of wool is credited to the re-
publicans, for wool Is now more than dou-
BILE what 1t was four years ago.
Utah, more than any other state In tho
west. has received the benefit Of the pros
perity of the east, for the past season has
been record-breaker in the number of