--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - J. M. Tanner collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 5 number: 1 published: 1901-11 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'J. M. Tanner, "Some Leading Events in the Current Story of the World," *Improvement Era* 5, no. 1 (November 1901): 51–62.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0501unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0501unse start_page: 51 end_page: 62 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1901-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0501unse publication_year: 1901 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1901, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Some Leading Events in the Current Story of the World FIRST GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF UTAH, HEBER M. WELLS. Hon. Heber M. Wells, of whom the Era herewith presents a splendid portrait, is the first governor of the state of Utah, and has also the distinction of being the first "son of the soil" elected as her executive. He was born in Salt Lake City on the 11th day of August, 1859, and is the son of Gen. Daniel H. Wells, the spe- cial friend of the saints in Nauvoo, and one of the staunch person- alities of the Church, and in the founding and early growth of our commonwealth. Like his father, Governor Wells is an unflinching supporter of those principles of government that he perceives underlie the growth and welfare of our state and country. His education was obtained in the public schools of the city of his birth, and in the University of Utah; while in Salt Lake City and in Utah, all his interests and ventures have been centered. Beginning with his earlier years, he was a favorite in public entertainments provided by the Home Dramatic Company, of which he was one of the founders, and in which he gained the reputation of being a clever amateur actor. He also supported famous stars, who in those days on occasions visited Utah. Roles of the heroic type were admirably sustained by him, though he displayed great versatility in other lines as well. He received some flattering offers for the stage, but his fondness for business and politics overcame his love for the drama, and he therefore soon abandoned the footlights, apparently forever, for business pursuits, and for the public service, in which he has been prominent for many years. From 1882 to 1890, he served as recorder of Salt Lake City, acting also at least twice during that period as chief clerk in the senate of the legislature. He has served two years as a member of the board of public works of Salt Lake City; was secretary of 50 IMPROVEMENT ERA. the constitutional convention of 1887; became the cashier of the State Bank of Utah at its organization in 1890; and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1895, which framed the consti- tution of our state. He was the Republican nominee for mayor of Salt Lake City, in 1892, but was defeated by the Liberal candidate, Hon. R. N. Baskin. In November, 1895, he was elected governor of Utah, taking the oath and entering on his duties January 4, 1896; he was also nominated by acclamation and re-elected by an overwhelming majority for a second term, in 1900, a rare distinc- tion which clearly indicates the confidence which his party and the people impose in his ability, discretion, and integrity, as their exec- utive. Governor Wells is justly recognized as a leader among men, a man who has been eminently successful in whatever enterprise he has enlisted his energies. His many friends admire him for his sterling worth and good fellowship. He is a warm supporter and an ardent advocate of the public school system, as a means for the perpetuation of those principles and ideas that create noble char- acters and good citizens. He is a staunch friend of law and order, and, while recognizing the cause of organized labor, he is opposed to all unlawful methods and violence in those seeking to redress real or imaginary wrongs. In matters pertaining to both religion and politics, he is a firm believer in the fullest individual liberty; and, as an advocate of home industry and protection to American industries, he ranks among the most enthusiastic of his party. Governor Wells has thrice been married. Twice, after a brief period of marriage, he was overwhelmed by the crushing sorrow that comes with the death of a loved companion. In each case the young wife who was taken from him was known for her beauty, excellent social qualities, and fine traits of character. He was married a third time on June 5, 1901, to Miss Emily Katz, a pleas- ing and accomplished woman, a former newspaper writer, who has made her way in the world by dint of her own industry and perse- verance. That Governor Wells has given satisfaction to all classes, as far as this can be done in his difficult office, was amply demon- strated by the great majority of votes which he received at his reelection to the office of governor. Still in the zenith of a young manhood, and with a good record behind him, his future gives promise of a bright career. SOME LEADING EVENTS IN THE CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. BY DR. J. M. TANNER, SUPERINTENDENT OF CHURCH SCHOOLS. President Roosevelt. It is something like twelve years since Theodore Roosevelt came into national prominence. He was only about thirty years of age when he was made chairman of the Civil Service Commission of the United States, by President Harrison. This appointment came to him in recognition of his efforts to better the civil service, both of the state and national government, by making certain offices a matter of qualification rather than a matter of political preference. Mr. Roosevelt was the author of the New York civil service law which became a model for the Federal government. Since then, Mr. Roosevelt has occupied the positions of chairman of police commissioners of New York City, assistant secretary of of New the navy, colonel in the Spanish-American war, governor vice-president of the United States, and, lastly, president. York, last twelve All of these important places have been filled within the years. This rapid career in the life of our president has been largely Those who the result of his untiring energy; honesty, and ability. struck by the have come in contact with Mr. Roosevelt have been seems to actuate him in all that he does. If restless energy that guiding principle in his life to which he has there has been one attributedthe highest importance, it has been work. Work comes fulfillment of a man's obligation to him as a sense of duty, as the It is the virtue he emphasizes in to himself and to his country. 52 IMPROVEMENT ERA. his public addresses, and has come to be a sort of settled religious conviction in his own mind. His present exalted position in public life is largely the result of his own ambitious efforts and high patriotic motives. Mr. Roosevelt is a man of rare literary ability, possessed of a direct and vigorous style of diction. As an illustration of his ex- pression, his first proclamation is in some respects a model. The following lines give us an excellent illustration: "President McKin- ley crowned a life of largest love for his fellow-man, of much endeavor for their welfare, by a death of Christian fortitude; and both the way in which he lived his life, and the way in which, in the supreme hour of trial, he met his death, will remain forever a precious heritage of our people." President Roosevelt's methods in political life have not been those ascribed to the ordinary politician. There has been a firm devotion to his country and a patriotic spirit he has carried with him into every station in political life which it has been his good fortune to occupy. He is completely trusted by the people, his enemies have never questioned his motives, no word of aspersion has been cast upon his integrity, whatever his enemies may have said concerning the wisdom of his conduct. As a man of a family, he represents a high ideal. His speech at the state fair, at Minneapolis, very clearly indicated that he had no use for a wilfully barren woman, any more than he had for an idle man. He is the father of six children. He believes in children. He thinks it the duty of every American to contrib- ute to the population of his country his full and honest share. President Roosevelt is the youngest man that has ever occu- pied the White House. The 27th of October was his forty-third birthday. Mr. Roosevelt is not an impetuous, hasty man, in the sense in which those words are usually understood. He is quick to action, not because of any impetuosity, but because he is quick to think, and when he reaches a conclusion as to what is right, he is equally quick to act. Unusual interest will be manifested throughout this and other countries respecting our President. He is an uncommon character, and, perhaps, cannot be said to resemble in any respect any man who has heretofore occupied the exalted position which he holds in CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 53 this nation. His conduct in office has always been of that inde- pendent kind which is based upon the theory that the office he holds is the last he ever expects to receive. The people of Utah are pleased to realize that our fair state has received a visit from the President; that he knows something of the people from personal observation and contact. Government Ownership of Railways. A considerable number of people in this country advocate the ownership and operation of our railways by the general Govern- ment, and, to support their argument in favor of such ownership, they point out the successful operation of the postal service under Federal management, and the further fact that railroads are operated in European countries by the governments. The United States and England are the only two countries in which railroads are not more or less under the control or management of the national government. In France, by an agreement in 1883, six large private railroads had their rights recognized by the govern- ment with a provision that French railroads, which had received large subsidies from the government, should go to the state in the second half of the present century; so that it is only a question of about fifty years, or a little more, when France will own its own railways. In Holland and Italy, the governments own the railways, but they are leased to private companies. This arrangement is not generally satisfactory to the people of those countries. Austria and Hungary own their roads; so does Russia. In 1882, there were fourteen thousand miles of railroad in the empire of the Czar, and only about forty miles were owned by the government. Re- cently, the mileage has increased to something like twenty-five thousand miles, and of this more than sixteen thousand miles belong to the government. In Denmark, out of one thousand one hundred and sixty miles of railroad, five hundred and twenty-five are private railroads. Sweden has two thousand three hundred miles of government, and four thousand three hundred and eighty- seven miles of private, railways. On January first of this year, the railroads of Switzerland were for the first time operated by the general government. 54 IMPROVEMENT ERA. It is by no means certain that operation of railroads by the governments in European countries has any distinct advantage over this country or England. Americans who travel in Europe, as a rule, prefer our own system, neither do they find the rates there cheaper than here. Our cars are very much superior, station accommodations are better, and there is more of an equality among those who patronize the roads. There is some classification in this country, but, as a rule, the great mass of people receive accommo- dations alike. It may be that the growing tendency of European countries to possess their own roads will in the future find favor both in the United States and in England. At present, however, there does not seem to be anything like approaching a majority in the United States ready to advocate government ownership. Transportation by Canals. The expense of transportation by water is so much less than that by railroads that countries of Europe are building canals at enormous expense for the purpose of developing internal commerce. Austria has just launched a scheme for the construction of a sys- tem of canals, which, it is said, will cost that country something like one hundred and fifty-two million dollars. The expense of these great waterways will be borne by the general government, and by the cities which derive the greatest benefit from their con- struction. Bonds are to be issued, and the work is to be begun at once. A glance at the map of Europe will convince one of the great task that country has before it, and the extent of country to be opened by these great waterways. In the first place, it is proposed to construct a canal from the Danube to the river Oder. This canal will open Northern and Central Austria, and bring the products of Northern Austria down into the Danube to be carried down that river to the Black Sea. The Oder river, as it is observed, will open traffic into the Baltic. Some distance west in the northern part of Austria, another canal is to be built connecting the Danube with the Moldau. The Moldau is chiefly in Bohemia, and this river will have to be deepened from Budweis to Prague. Then from the canal connecting the Danube and Oder, a third canal is to be built to the upper Elbe. The Elbe CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 55 itself will have to be deepened in order to permit navigation near its head waters. From the same Danube-Oder canal, another is 'to be built to the Vistula and some portion of Dniester in Western Russia. This enormous system of canals in Austria would open up navigable waters in that country extending over a distance of something like one thousand miles. It would increase vastly the productive powers of the country by enabling the people to get their products to the markets. Along with increased production, there comes the necessity of increased powers of transportation. The productive powers of millions of acres of land, both on the eastern and western continent, are at present almost wholly neu- tralized by improper means of transportation. When these great canals shall be opened in Austria, coal, lumber, and other products will find their way into the markets of the world. At the same time that Austria is launching its great schemes for canals, Russia is surveying an enormous canal from St. Peters- burg to the White Sea, in the north. This canal will cover a dis- tance of over five hundred miles and is to be of the enormous depth of thirty-one feet, and will have a surface breadth of two hundred feet, in order that the large cruisers may find passage. The canal will extend from the river Neva to Lake Ladoga, thence across the lake to Svir river, and through its entire length to Lake Onega- From this lake, a canal will extend due north to Sego Lake and then by canal to Vigzero Lake. From this lake, the canal will ex- tend to the Gulf of Onega and the White Sea. This canal is intended for strategic as well as for commercial purposes. The Russian fleet and the Baltic fleet can by it have direct communica- tion within the dominion of the Czar, and also the provinces about the Baltic Sea, whose fertile lands for wheat-raising are well known, and whose great timber belts will be opened to the markets of the world. Russia is truly opening the unbounded resources of her vast empire on such a gigantic scale as to make her one of the foremost competitors of the world, in furnishing to European and American markets the vast yields of her grain fields and mines. The Suez Canal and European Trade. Ever since the construction of the Suez Canal, the trade car- ried on between Europe and Asiatic countries, and the islands of 56 IMPROVEMENT ERA. the Pacific, has been through that celebrated waterway. A care- ful registry of ships and their tonnage has been kept so that the Suez Canal furnishes us some interesting statistics of the merchant trade which the countries of Europe are carrying on with the Orient. What is most striking in these statistics is the fact that England is losing ground, while Germany is now rapidly advancing. In the last five years, England's trade through the canal has fallen off about 227 vessels of 286,359 tons, while Germany's trade has increased 140 vessels of 926,650 tons. In 1896, Eng- land had sixty-seven per cent of the total trade. In 1900, she had only fifty-seven per cent. In 1896, Germany had nine per cent, last year she had fifteen per cent. It is to be noted that the German ships are larger than those of Great Britain. Twenty years ago, only fifteen German ships passed through the canal within a year; last year, the number reached 462. This shows that England is compelled to yield some of her supremacy to her great German rival. Germany is making unbounded efforts to capture as much as she can of Oriental trade, hence her showing on the Suez Canal. South Africa. England is still carrying on war by proclamations as well as by soldiers. The fifteenth day of September was the date fixed for the surrender of the Boer army or the subjection, when caught, of all Boer generals, to exile from their native land. The world has not been prepared to regard the contest going on in that country as merely a guerrilla warfare. Such tactics as the Boers have adopted are those common to some of the most important wars in history. It is not believed, however, that they can event- ually win; but the Boers are, at any rate, carrying out the promise made to England before the war began, that, if England precipi- tated war in that country, they would make it one of the most costly that England had ever had to endure. This country has reason, from a commercial standpoint, at any rate, to hope for its speedy termination. Our exports to South Africa have fallen off very materially, in consequence of the delay to which our merchandise is subjected when it reaches Capetown. English steamers carrying the mail from Southampton are of course CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 57 admitted to the wharfs in preference to the ships of all other coun- tries, in order that the mail may be landed. Of course, this permits ships which carry a little- mail and much merchandise to land their merchandise while other ships are waiting in the harbor. In order to avoid this, shippers in this country have been compelled to have goods shipped first to Southampton, and then put aboard a British merchant vessel bound for South Africa. It has been stated that the recent meetings of the Czar of Russia, the Emperor of Germany, and the President of France, had in view proposals of peace to Great Britain. There is, however, no ground for such reports, and it is wholly unlikely that any country will interfere in the least with the English program in South Africa. Affairs in China* After long months of delay, postponements, and much cere- mony, all of which are peculiar to the Chinese, the peace treaty between European countries, or the protocol, as it is diplomatically called, has been signed. Pekin has now been wholly evacuated by foreign troops. Indeed, there were only a few within the city. One of the most important changes that has taken place in foreign relations with that country has been in the provision made, that, hereafter, foreign nations will communicate their affairs through Prince Ching, who has been one of the Chinese negotiators in the difficulties between Europe and that country. With this prince, two foreign ministers will be associated, so that, hereafter, the great annoyance to which ambassadors to China have been sub- jected will be removed. Heretofore, the custom has been to trans- act all foreign business through a sort of cabinet called the Tsung- li-Yamen. The empress dowager, however, it would appear, is to remain with the emperor. This seems the most unfortunate condition of the treaty. Her influence is known to be pernicious, and the emperor will in all probability, remain, for some time yet, a mere figurehead. The universal opinion is that the empress dowager is a woman of ability, and it may be that recent events have taught her a lesson, and that hereafter she will respect the rights of foreigners in the empire. EDITOR'S TABLE. PRESIDENT LORENZO SNOW. How rapidly the veteran ranks are thinning! Presidents Wood- ruff, Richards and Cannon are recently gone; and a hundred aged leaders in the stakes of Zion it seems have only yesterday followed to their rest. And now the Saints are called to mourn the depar- ture of President Lorenzo Snow, who for nearly sixty-five years of his busy life has been an active minister among his people — sixty- five years, too, of wonderful achievement wrought in the midst of privation, toil and hardship, in all of which, with childlike confi- dence in God, and love for his fellow men, he fully, cheerfully, bravely, and with unwavering determination bore his share of the day's heat and burden. Lorenzo Snow, the fifth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away at his home in the Bee Hive House, Salt Lake City, Utah, Thursday, October 10, 1901, at 3:35 o'clock p. m. The cause of his sudden death was a cold con- tracted some weeks before which was not considered serious, but which later developed into bronchitis. He was unable to attend — more than one meeting of the semi-annual conference on Sunday afternoon of the 6th, when he gave his last address to a vast con- gregation assembled in the great tabernacle. The burden of his last message to the Saints was, "God bless you." Upon the presidents of stakes, and high councillors, he specially placed the sacred responsibility of the local government of the fifty stakes of Zion, enjoining them to regard and take an interest in the people in their various dominions, as they would EDITORS TABLE. 59 members of their own families, studying wherein they may best render them help, physical, spiritual and financial. He repeatedly cautioned them not to forget his words, and that they must remem- ber that it is their duty to look after these things. It is not the business of the apostles. They, with the seventies, are chosen to care for the interest of the world, as special witnesses of the gospel unto the nations. He also announced that he had chosen a counselor, in place of the late President George Q. Cannon, since he felt his age, and desired more help. At the same meeting, President Joseph F. Smith was sustained as his first counselor, and Elder Rudger Clawson as his second. President Snow was in the harness till the last day of his life. His last public signature was to the letter of introduction to the bishops and presidents of stakes, carried by the fifty-eight mission- aries of the Y. M. M. I. A. who were set apart for their missions on October 8. This he signed on Tuesday evening at 6:30. On Wednesday, he was seriously ill, and, as stated, he died in the afternoon of Thursday. It is a noteworthy fact that the signature to the document above referred to was the first and only one signed by the new First Presidency as sustained at the October conference. The young people, and particularly the officers of the Improve- ment Associations, have special occasion to remember President Snow because of the blessings which he promised to them at a con- ference held on the 30th of May, 1898. On that occasion, he spoke to them on the subject that seemed to be uppermost in his mind —the subject of tithing —and plead with the young people to observe the law of the Lord, that this might be a land of Zion unto them. His address is found in Vol. 2, page 792, of the Era. At the close of President Snow's address, the following resolution was presented by Elder B. H. Roberts: "Resolved: That we accept the doctrine of tithing, as now presented by President Snow, as the present word and will of the Lord unto us, and we do accept it with all our hearts; we will our- selves observe it, and we will do all in our power to get the Lat- ter-day Saints to do likewise." This resolution was unamiously adopted by all present rising to their feet and shouting, "Aye." 60 IMPROVEMENT ERA. President Francis M. Lyman arose and said: "President Snow, I believe this body of men is about as clear upon this law, and have about as faithfully met their obligations in regard to tithing as any body of men in the Church. It is a splendid thing, breth- ren, for us to be always in shape to accept the will of the Lord when it comes." It was at this moment that President Snow, visibly affected, arose and said: "Brethren, the God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, bless you. Every man who is here who has made this promise will be saved in the Celestial Kingdom. God bless you. Amen." We believe that the young men have kept their promise thus far, but it is their duty now and in the future to faithfully remem- ber their obligation, not only strictly to pay their tithing them- selves, but also to use their influence to get all the young people to do likewise. This is an important labor that should not be for- gotten. The blessings that have followed the observance of this law is perceptible in all parts of Zion. Not only is the Church prosperous, but as individuals, men are coming out from under the bondage of debt, and the blessings spiritual and temporal are upon them. With the promise so fulfilled, the duty of the future is plain. President Lorenzo Snow was born at Mantua, Portage County, Ohio, April 3, 1814, and entered Oberlin College at twenty-one years of age, where he received a good education. In 1836, he was baptized into the Church, and in the following year began his ministerial career. Three years later, he went with Parley P. Pratt to Europe on his first mission, and while in England pub- lished a religious pamphlet, "The Only Way to be Saved," a work that has served to familiarize more people, in more languages, with the first principles of the gospel, than any other publica- tion of the kind ever written; and through which, though dead, he will continue to bear his testimony to the nations. Returning to America in 1843, at the head of two hundred and fifty converts, he conducted, in the year following, a vigorous campaign in Ohio for Joseph Smith for President of the United States. Later, he taught the grammar school in Nauvoo, and finally, after much sickness and tribulation, arrived in Salt Lake Valley in 1848. On the year following, having first been ordained an Apostle on