Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-12-31
Nine Years Of Statehood Under Gov. Wells
How fho boy Execut Mel Questions
The Affairs OF State-War Ei Hour Law, Strike
Grave Problems a Examples

On Monday next the man who has
been at the helm as chief executive
since statehood was conferred upon
Utah, a period OF nine years, viii re-
enter the ranks Of those who are de-
scribed as occupying the post Of honor
in the private station, Within that
period such additions have been made
TO the history not only OF this COM
monwealth, not only OF the great west.
but Of the country at large, as make
review OF the retiring governors career
an indispensable adjunct to the arch
ives at large.
II Is scarcely necessary to enlarge
upon the record Of Heber NJ. Wells
prior to his induction into the executive
Office Of the state nine years ago. Most
Of the readers OF the News are no
doubt quite familiar with II, and this
means that the public at large with but
few exceptions know something OF his
earlier career OF his being a native
son Of the state and the offspring OF one
OF It's grandest pioneers, OF his educa-
ton within It's borders. and after varied
experiences in business, and political
life, eyentuating the launching Of his
gubernatorial career at the early age
OF 36-these things need not be recount
ed In detail but they are nevertheless
an Indispensable prelude to the recital
which follows,
BIRTH OF STATEHOOD
There never was. perhaps, brighter !
January day In this latitude than that |
Of the sixth OF that month in the year /
1886 Although at q time when the |
weather Is usually forbiddlng there |
was not q cloud In the sky and the
sun, like those he shone upon, was all .
smiles. 1t was en- occasion OF general
reyelry and oil manner OF demonstra-
tons were rife. Cannon doomed, Wills
ties screeched, bands played flags float
ed and everything that was demonstra-
lively indicative Of the appreclative Joy
OF a dsenthTalled people was noisely
and even obsuuctiyely IN evidence
with but little, II any, complaint. The
boy governor rode IN the grand pro-
cession that was formed and entered
upon the discharge OF his duties with
no more OF ceremony than the occasion
demanded Our ship OF state was
our captain was at his post
During the nine wears succeeding
that epochal event, there have been
many eyentful issues brought into ex-
Istenoe and either disposed Of or
In process OF disposition, not
only as relates to our own
state. but 10 the other states and
the world at large, and Utah's part as
10 the later, under the guidance OF tho
retiring governor has al times been
anything but lnconsequential. Chief
among these events may be mentioned
the war with Spain and the subsequent
struggle With the insurgent Fillpnos.
As commander-ln-chief OF the military
forces OF the state, Gov. Wells was
In duty bound TO see 10 e that Utah's |
1uota OF troops was promptly filed
md Il would be idle 10 say that ne
performed this duty IN a perfunctory
)r routine manner, he went al Il as
me whose heart and soul were enlist
I'd IN the cause. as one whose native
Amercanism was aroused and whose
signal purpose was the alignment Of the
rfant state In full and complete march
Ing order with the older eovereigutles
the grand phalanx Of the
republic. Every company was filled on
all: IN fact there were more responses
han places. No fayoritlsm was shown
Those who were deemed best qualified
'or particular stations were so as
dgned. and this wholly without refer
nee to political, religious or social
Itatus or inclination There never
.ould have been IN any age Of the
world or any place troop sent aheld
With such an unalloysd feeling OF god ,
poed and such heartfelt expressions
4 goodbye to one and oil from each