--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Anderson, Edward H. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 9 number: 4 published: 1906-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Edward H. Anderson, "Events and Comments," *Improvement Era* 9, no. 4 (February 1906): 341–344.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0904unse 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: improvementera0904unse start_page: 341 end_page: 344 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1906-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0904unse publication_year: 1906 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 1906, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Events and Comments EVENTS AND COMMENTS. BY EDWARD H. ANDERSON. Distinguishing Events of the Year 1905.— The year 1905, in the United States, was exceptionally prosperous. Many events occurred, also, to call attention to the political significance of our country: among these the foremost was President Roosevelt's movement for the Russian- Japanese peace conference, followed by the peace agreement at Portsmouth at the end of August. The November elections indicated a popular protest against boss rule, the country over. The Philadelphia peoples' action against the gas ring began a wide-spread revolt against municipal misrule in many cities. The insurance mismanagement and investigation in New York, has begun many reforms, and will doubtless lead to good results in matters of life insurance. In the Philippines, there were several severe revolts, and fighting in several provinces. The visit of Secretary Taft, Miss Alice Roosevelt and several Congressmen to the islands and the East, in August, led to better feelings; the Secretary explained that it is our policy to retain the islands until the people shall develop capacity to govern themselves, which will require at least one generation. American settlers in the Isle of Pines set up a claim that the island belongs to this country and not to Cuba, a claim disapproved at Washington. The greatest foreign event of the year was the conclusion of the struggle between Russia and Japan. Russia, in consequence, suffered a crushing defeat, followed by unparalleled internal strife in which race feelings, religious hatreds, industrial interests and political aspirations were leading factors. The results are far-reaching, and no end is yet in sight. Norway separated from Sweden, and chose a new King, the revolution occurring without physical conflict. Japan's victory aroused China to a sense of its importance as an eastern power, and this will doubtless result in the early adoption of modern civilization among the Chinese. A strong anti-American boycott was inaugurated, owing to our country's restrictions upon Chinese students and merchants visiting this country. The political event in England was the fall of the Balfour cabinet and the return of the Liberals to power, Dec. 4, under the leadership of Sir Campbell-Bannerman. The resignation of Lord Curzon as Viceroy of India, owing to the encroachment of Lord Kitchener's military power, came second. France had the Morocco incident on its hands, and for a while it threatened the peace of Europe. In Spain there were great financial 342 IMPROVEMENT ERA. and industrial difficulties owing to the serious famine in Andalusia. Turkey was forced by a naval demonstration of the powers to adopt financial reforms in Macedonia. The abolition of the Concordat between France and the Pope was the greatest religious event of the year, and resulted in the separation of Church and State in France which had been one under an agreement which had existed since the time of Napoleon. In our country, the meeting in November of 500 delegates chosen by 30 denominations representing 18 million communicants, to organize a Federal Council, was an important step towards the union of religions. The raising of a $25,000, memorial to Joseph Smith, the prophet of tlie nineteenth century, at Sharon, Vermont, on his 100th anniversary, Dec. 23, was a notable and far-reaching event. Death of President C. D. Fjeldsted. — On Saturday, December 23, President Christian D. Fjeldsted of the first council of Seventies passed away at the L. D. S. Hospital after a protracted illness. He was born February 20, 1829, in Sundbyvester, a suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1851, shortly after the opening of the Scandinavian mission, he first heard the Gospel, and after a thorough investigation was baptized on his birthday anniversary, February 20, 1852, by Christian Samuel Hansen. After his baptism he began to preach the Gospel to his fellow workmen for which he was discharged by his employer. In July, 1853, he was ordained an Elder by Peter 0. Hansen, and in the fall of 1855, was called to labor as a traveling elder in the Copenhagen conference, which duty he performed for about one year, when he was called to preside over the Aalborg conference. He emigrated in 1858, and made his home in Sugar House Ward; later he was ordained a Seventy, and in 1867 was called on a mission to his native land. He presided over the Aalborg conference, and later over the Christiania conference, while on that mission, and returned home in 1870. In 1881 he was again called to take a mission to Scandinavia to preside over the mission, and after his return, jn 1884, was ordained one of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies. Since that time he has spent eight years in the mission field in his native land, presiding over the mission from October, 1888, to September, 1890; and again during the past year. He was a lovable man, firm in the faith, cheerful to a degree, spreading jolity and sunshine wherever he went. The Scandinavian Saints loved him like a father, and his memory will live and be cherished in the hearts of thousands. Died. — December 2, in Wilford, Fremont county, Idaho, Matilda E. Dayton, a pioneer of southern Utah. — Sunday, 3rd, in Sevier county, Charles C. Cowley, born Nov. 17, 1834, and a veteran of the Church. — Monday, 4th, in Escalante, Garfield county, Thomas Heaps, a pioneer of southern Utah, born in England 69 years ago. — Monday, 11th, in Salt Lake City, William White, a Patriarch in the Salt Lake Stake.— Tuesday, 12th, in Mill Creek, William D. Park, a pioneer of 1847, born in Canada, November 25, 1837, immigrated to Nauvoo with his parents, and crossed the plains in 1847, arriving in Salt Lake Valley Oct. 2, of that year. — In Peterson, Morgan county, Wednesday, 13th, Jesse Haven, a pioneer of Utah and a veteran Church worker. He was one of the first missionaries to South Africa, going to that land in 1852. He was born in Hollinston, Mass., March 28, EVENTS AND COMMENTS. 343 1814. — In Provo, Thursday, 14, Mary John, wife of President David John of the Utah Stake. She was born in Merkin, Glamorganshire, Wales, Dec. 23, 1831, and joined the Church in 1857.— In Ogden, Saturday, 16th, John Pincock, one of the early pioneers of Utah, born in Exton, England, July 27, 1837, and joined the Church in 1840, immigrating the following year.— In Provo, Tuesday, 26th, T. E. Fleming a pioneer of 1849, he was bom A.ug. 10, 1835. Sheep Industry in Utah. — The state sheep commissioner reports that there are nearly two million sheep in the state valued at $5,000,000, and that diseases are being held thoroughly in check. Stjte Experiment Farm. — It was decided on January 6 that this farm of sixty acres be located at a place midway between Lehi and American Fork. There is an $8,000 appropriation available for the establishment of an experimental station, in orchard, garden and field crops, to determine the most profitable varieties and the best culture. There will also be studies in drying, canning and preparation of fruits for market. One report of 6,000 copies will be distributed free each year for the benefit of farmers. Law Makers in Session. — There are in session now, twelve State Legislatures in the United States. In five of these states, viz: Iowa, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Mississippi and Virginia, senators are to be chosen. Among the living topics that are to be discussed is life insurance. The New York Legislature is occupying its time to devise laws for the better protection of policy holders in the life insurance companies, and to restrain extravagance and dishonesty in the management of these great corporations, so that it appears there will be more required of them than the resignation of some of its presidents, and the reduction of the salaries of their successors. Awakening of China. — It appears that the great Chinese Empire is awakening from its lethargy. Commissioners have been appointed by the Empire, to visit many of the civilized nations, and study the political, military, naval, educational and industrial methods in vogue in the world outside of the Celestial Empire. Such commissioners will reach Washington, to study Americanism, some time during the latter part of January. The purpose of this study is to ascertain to what extent new ideas of the outside civilized world can be adopted in China. Football Reform. — There is a movement on foot among the Eastern college^ and universities, to reform the game of football, and make it more civilized and less dangerous. Sixty-two colleges and universities were represented at a conference in New York, on December 28, and this conference appointed a committee of seven, to revise the rules of the game. Several Eastern Colleges have since then declared positively against the game. In "American" Hands. — On Januan' 2 of this year, the government of Salt Lake City, passed from the hands of Mayor Richard P. Morris, to Mayor Ezra Thompson. All the general officers were changed, and the following are now the city oflScials of Salt Lake City; mayor, Ezra Thompson; attorney, Ogden Hiles; recorder, J. B. Moreton; auditor, Rudolph Alff; treasurer, Frank Swenson. The new 344 IMPROVEMENT ERA. city council also met on that day, for the first time, a majority of whom are members of the "American" Party. A. J. Davis was made president. Later in the month, the former fire and police and other officers of the city, were supplanted by "American" appointees. Changes in municipal government in many other cities of Utah were made, but they were changes in the two leading parties, Democratic and Republican. Utah's Gold and Silver. — For the year 1905, according to the report of the Director of Mints, the production of gold and silver in the United States, shows a gain of $6,000,000 in gold, and- 1,000,000 ounces in silver over the product in 1904. Utah's product was $4,000,000 in gold; and 12,000,000 fine ounces of silver, at 61 cents, which is a gain of about $400,000 in all, over 1904. The Isthmian Canal. — Both houses of Congress were occupied prior to the holidays, mostly with the affairs of the new canal. The charge of extravagance was freely made, and the emergency appropriation was cut from $16,000,000 to $10,000,000. The need for economy is demonstrated, when it appears from the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, that there was a deficit of $23,000,000 in the revenues of the government, for the fiscal year 1905. It is estimated, further, by the Secretary, that there will be a deficit of $8,000,000 for 1906. He estimates the total receipts for this year at $738,000,000, while the receipts last year, 1905, were $697,000,000. Mission Work. — Elder A. M. Musser,inthe Elders' Journal,s'^eaks as follows of missionary labors of himself and family, which we think many of the readers of the Improvement Era will enjoy: "My sons and I have put in over thirty- three years of missionary work. We have preached the gospel in Asia, Africa, Europe, and in twenty States of the Union, and on six islands of the Pacific ocean, and we are consummating arrangements to keep the equivalent of at least one of my descendants in the vineyard and another working in the Temple, till the Second Advent of our Savior. Each of my children is putting into a family fund a monthly sum for the consummation of these purposes. What do you think of these aims? Do you approve them? (We do, indeed, most heartily. Ed.) I will add that from October, 1852, to October, 1857, — five years — I circumscribed the earth in the capacity of a Mormon missionary, absolutely without purse or scrip. I took no funds with me, nor did I receive a cent from home during my absence. About three years of my time I spent in Hindoostan. Food, clothing, shelter and transportation were all seasonably furnished me by the Father. I do not refer to these grand providences boastingly, but present them as object [lessons, and for the encouragement of the elders. 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow.' "