Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-08-30
TALMAGE TALKS
ON PORTLAND FIGHT.
Found That Prejudice Was Strong
Even Before the Delegates
Arrived
O2ECONIAN WAS VERY BITTER.
Utah People We're a Unit in All Mat.
ers Calculated to Bring the Head
quarters to Salt LaAe

Or. James r. Talmage Of the Uni
Scrsity Of Utah returned home this
afternoon from Portland where be went
as "a delegate to attend the session of
the Mining congress at that place, Ask
ed by the Deseret News for statement
concerning the fight that was waged
against Utah by LATE Pence the po-
litlcal nomad, he said
u reached Portland some days ahead
Of the delegation proper and even at
that early day, discovered q strong
undercurrent of prejudice against Salt
Lake city and Utah Indeed it was
freely stated 80 me that the Mormon
question would surely be brought into
tie proceedings in some way or an
other. expressed surprise and disbe-
lief. inasmuch as the speakers named
on the program to appear in behalf Of
Denver viz Galbreath and Hamblin,
were known to me to be straghtfor-
ward and honorable men, and / felt as
sured they would make fair fight.
For several days before the opening of
the congress the Oregoniau showed
its anti-Mormon bias by publishing,
usually IN the form Of short paragraphs,
rather than as leading articles,
illusions to Utah intended TO be con-
temptJous
OPENING or THE CAMPAIGN,
On the arrival Of the delegation from
Utah, campaign work was begun IN
earnest, and In a manner strictly open
and honorable in every respect, Under
the efficient leadership of Mr. John
Dern, chairman Of the Utah delegation,
the organization worked az n unit and
the almost harmony and singleness Of
gpurpose prevailed I'm all their delibera-
tons ON motion introduced by Judge
Powers, Thursday afternoons session
was set apart as early as the preceding
Monday, for the special consideration
Of the permanent headquarters ques-
ton. The Utah delegation went 10 the
convention hall at the time OF the spec
cial order IN a four horse tallyho, with
other carriages, the whole headed by a
brass band and accompanied by boys
bearing banners. BY the way, the Utah
men had decorated the assembly hall
with banners and mott0s, and thus
made their presence and purpose
known
JUDGE POWERS" FINE ADDRESS.
When the question at issue was
brought fairly before the congress,
Judge Powers, who had been officially
announced on the printed program as
the speaker chosen to represent Utah,
and TO speak IN behalf OF salt Lake as
the place for permanent headquarters,
took the platform and delivered mas
tery address which we all considered
was absolutely free from any obiec-
tionable sDrdsAent or reference what
soever, He was followed by Lafe
Pence. who prefaced his address by an
nounCing that Mr. Hamblin of Denver
was absent and that he appeared by
request I'm Hambins place. His entire
speech was directed to criticism OF Utah
and her people and was practically de-
void Of even a pretense Of reason or
argument I'M favor OF Denver.
When he so far forgot HIM
self as to make sneering in
situations intended TO reflect ON the
honor and morality OF the people OF
Gtah several members Of the delega-
ton sprang TO their feet in anger
PENCE THE COWARD,
Judge Powers, to whose address
ltlltt 'lhlllfN " w lllh hillk an lfIlNt
demanded, that the speaker drop In
slnuations, and state plainly what he
meant. With "a coWardice that was
dcspicable Pence tried 10 dodge the
question. Personally ] had Intended
TO say nothing ut the session. but 80
the request OF Chairman Dem and 9TH
en- members of the Utah deega ton, /
took the floor to reply TO Pence. Judge
Richards the president of the congress,
stated TO me personally, after the ses-
sion that he had stepped M behind
Pence while the latter was delivering
his TRADE and told him ne was going
too far; and that he would De called
down II he did not cease, but the chair
man failed to exercise his authority,
and stop the mouth OF the sanderer
HOW SALT LAKE LOST.
The Utah men fought hard to have
the vote determining the location OF
the permanent headquarters, taken that
afternoon, but Denver saw the advant-
ugc attending the postponmnent, aud
worked 10 secure H.. moreover the
members Of tho congress were hy this
time weary and y motion to- CITY
the special order over until the next