Statehood and How It Was Achieved, Concluded

STATEHOOD AND HOW IT WAS ACHIEVED.

BY HON. WM. H. KING, UTAH'S REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS.

IV.

The next effort to secure statehood was memorable. The Mormon people felt that a continuation of the territorial system was almost unendurable. They felt that the federal officials were oppressive and unjust; that bigotry and intolerance characterized their administration of the laws. When the territorial legislature met in January, 1872, a bill was passed providing for a constitutional convention. It was vetoed by Governor Woods, but a joint resolution embodying the provisions of the bill was hastily passed. In pursuance of the resolution, delegates to the constitutional convention were selected, and on the 19th of February of the same year, the convention organized. The strongest men of the territory were elected, among them being Mormons and non-Mormons. From the former were Hons. George Q. Cannon, Orson Pratt, John Sharp, John T. Caine; and from the latter Judge Hayden, Gen. Connor, Gen. Barnum and Hon. Thomas Fitch. The convention was animated and earnest. All the members, except Judge Hayden, entered into the spirit of the movement and were sincere in their desires for statehood. Mr. Fitch and others urged that concessions be made, and provisions inserted in the constitution regarding polygamy, that would meet the approval of the nation. He stated: "There is no safety for the people of Utah without a state government; for under the present condition of public affairs, their property, their liberties, their very lives, are in constant and increasing jeopardy."

Though the constitution did not contain the provisions desired by Mr. Fitch upon this question, yet it provided that whatever terms might be prescribed by congress as a condition precedent to admission, if ratified by the people, should constitute "apart of this ordinance. " Upon submission to the people the vote for the adoption of the constitution was nearly unanimous.

Hons. Thomas Fitch, George Q. Cannon and Frank Fuller were selected to present, in connection with delegate Hooper, the constitution to the president and congress.

Again congress refused to admit Utah, nor was there any suggestion upon what terms admission could be secured. The legislative assembly in 1882, by joint resolution, again authorized a constitutional convention. The people responded and selected delegates. The convention met and, in due time, drafted and adopted a constitution. For the first time "Utah" was chosen for the name of the proposed state. The vote of the people for the adoption of the constitution was overwhelming. Hons. John T. Caine, W. H. Hooper, F. S. Richards and other able and representative men were selected as delegates to present the constitution and memorial for statehood to congress. But their efforts, like those previously made, secured no response, and Utah was still denied that to which she was entitled.

To many the refusal of congress to confer statehood, when it was sought by Utah in 1887, was inexplicable. It is known that the President of the United States and many high officials, including congressmen and senators, were willing, if not desirous, of opening the gates and bidding Utah welcome as a sovereign state. The constitution which was adopted by the convention, July 7th, 1887, contained a provision as follows: "Bigamy and polygamy being considered incompatible with a republican form of government, each of them is hereby forbidden and declared a misdemeanor."

The practice of plural marriage by a portion of the members of the Mormon Church, had for j^ears been urged as a reason for refusing statehood; but now when the fundamental law forever prohibited it, objections ought to have ceased. And this view is strengthened by the procedure of the church

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in relation to the "Manifesto" issued by President Woodruff, in October, 1890. But the abolition of the system of marriage against which the nation had so long inveighed, and the evident and unmistakable purpose of the people to fully conform to the law, did not move congress to favorably consider their petitions. By many of the people of Utah, it was thought that the only solution of the problems vexing her, was to secure the active intervention of the national political parties; and this it was conceded could only be secured by the formation of national parties within the territory. Accordingly, in 1888, a few of those entertaining such views called a Democratic convention and nominated Hon. S. R. Thurman as delegate to congress. Though receiving but 512 votes, the seed had been planted and the fruition of the labors was soon realized. The elections of 1891 found the people in most counties waging their political contests upon Democratic and Republican lines. The People's Party had disbanded and the Liberal Party was in the throes of dissolution. The legislature, which was strongly Democratic, passed a memorial asking congress to grant what was familiarly known as the "Home Rule Bill." It was thought that even with the progress made, there would be opposition in congress to the bestowal of immediate statehood upon Utah. This bill was designed to obliterate many of the evils suffered under the territorial system; and as it gave a large measure of local self-government, it would demonstrate the capacity of the people for the enjoyment of the rights of a sovereign state.

The changes occurring in Utah commanded the attention of congress and the nation; and the former, by its committees, instituted an investigation with a view of determining what, if any, change should be made in the territorial system. The national political organizations which had so long ignored the Mormon people, awakened to the importance of securing their support, and so aided the local party leaders in spreading their principles.

The local issues and questions which had so long distracted the people were forgotten; political orators no longer talked of "church and state," of "Mormons and Gentiles," of

the "People's" and "Liberal" parties; but the tariff, and silver questions, the construction of the federal constitution, the centralization of power and the achievements of the Democratic and Republican parties; these, and other national issues were earnestly discussed and eagerly considered by the people. The old prejudice faded away; all felt that a brighter day had dawned, that all were citizens of this grand, God-given Republic, and that with statehood conferred, this beautiful, virile commonwealth would go forth, with the errors (if any) forgotten, "with her virtues shining like rubies upon her breast, to clasp hands with her sister states, and march with them along the highway of empire, which stretches from sun to sun."

Gradually the opponents of statehood were silenced. Confidence and trust existed among Utah's people, and with substantial unanimity theyjoined in the request for statehood. On the 1 6th day of July, 1894, President Cleveland approved the Enabling Act, providing for Utah's admission into the union. Pursuant to this act, delegates were elected to a constitutional convention, which met in Salt Lake City, March 4th, 1895, and continued in session until May 9th, of the same year. Of this great convention much could be said. Hon. John Henry Smith was President; and many of Utah's most illustrious citizens were its members. Gentiles and Mormons mingled freely together, and felt that the hour of fraternal union had come.

From such men as C. C. Goodwin, Heber M. Wells, Moses Thatcher, Fred J. Kiesel, B. H. Roberts, F. S. Richards, David Evans, S. R. Thurman, C. S. Varian, Richard Mackintosh, Aquilla Nebeker, and others of no less distinguished ability, much was expected. A calm, dispassionate review of their labors, justifies the confidence reposed in them. The constitution framed by them was submitted to the people and by them ratified. For its adoption 31,305 votes were cast; the opposing vote was 7,687.

The proper certification of facts was submitted to the President of the United States, and on Saturday, Jan. 4th, 1896, at 10:30 A. M. Washington time (8:03 A. M. Salt Lake City time) the proclamation admitting Utah into the Union of States was signed. The joyful news soon reached every

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portion of the state, and was received with universal rejoicing. The following Monday, January 6th, had been fixed for the state officers to enter upon their duties. Elaborate arrangements had been made and imposing ceremonies provided for the occasion. The great Tabernacle, constructed under the direction of Utah's immortal leader and first governor, Brigham Young, had been selected for the exercises, and at 12:00 o'clock, noon, the mighty procession entered the sacred portals. The ceremonies were simple but most impressive. Upon the stand were seated leaders of the Mormon Church and eminent divines of other churches in the state, and the recently elected state officials who were about to assume great civic responsibilities. And there, too, were those who were about to surrender the authority held in virtue of laws soon to be inoperative. The tomb was to receive the cold form of inchoate, imperfect government; and from the brow of our mighty nation was to spring, full panoplied, the beauteous State of Utah.

The acting governor of Utah Territory, Hon. C. C. Richards, in a felicitous speech, began the exercises. A most touching and eloquent invocation by President Woodruff (read by President George Q. Cannon) was offered. Hon. J. L. Rawlins, whose untiring efforts had contributed so much to the achievement of statehood, read the proclamation of the President. The moment of death and life now came. Acting- Governor Richards declared "that the time has arrived when the federal power withdraws and yields up to the native son, who has been chosen as governor of the State of Utah." Thereupon the executive power was surrendered to the first governor of the new state, Hon. Heber M. Wells, and the oath of office was administered by the first chief justice, Hon. C. S. Zane. And so Utah took her place in the American union of states.

All hail our glorious state! May the God of our fathers watch over her for ever and ever —

"O fair young mother, on thy brow, Shall sit a nobler grace than now, Deep in the brightness of thy skies,