--- 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: 12 number: 4 published: 1909-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Anderson, Edward H., "Events and Comments," *Improvement Era* 12, no. 4 (February 1909): 324–328.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1204unse 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: improvementera1204unse start_page: 324 end_page: 328 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1909-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1204unse publication_year: 1909 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 1909, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Events and Comments EVENTS AND COMMENTS. BY EDWARD H. ANDERSON. Donald G. Mitchell Dead.— On December 15, "Ike Marvel," aged 86, author of Reveries of a Bachelor, and Dream Life, published more than fifty years ago, died. He wrote eighteen books, the last of which was published in 1897. His reflective essays were full of charm and attracted many readers in consequence of their splendid literary style. Turkey Hails Liberty. — The assembling of the Turkish Parliament, December 17, by the Sultan, in person, marks the fulfilment of the recent promise of a constitutional government in Turkey. The Sultan was present in person, and the day was observed as a general holiday. Children sang the Hymn of Liberty as the Sultan drove by, and all the ceremonies were impressive. The lower house was elected by popular vote. Postal Deficit — The United States postal deficit for the year ended June , 1908, as announced by the Postmaster-General amounted to $16,910,279, the largest in the history of the department. Ten millions are accounted for in the increase of compensation of employees. The postmaster-general believes that the establishment of a special local parcel-post on rural routes would ultimately wipe out the deficit, and make the rural delivery self-sustaining. Cost of the Presidential Campaigns. — From official figures filed at Albany by the respective treasurers, it is made public that the late Rupublican National Committee for the recent campaign received in contributions $1,665, 518.27; and the Democratic Committee $620,664.77. This, of course, does not include state, county, city, precinct and other local contributions which if known would doubtless swell the cost of the campaign many millions. The Eighth Legislature. — Following close upon the heels of the inauguration of Governor William Spry and other state officers, January 4, came the opening of the Eighth Legislative Assembly, on January 11, at noon. Senator Henry Gardner, of Utah County, was elected president of the Senate; and Representative E. W. Robinson of Cache County, speaker of the House. Among the many important measures that will likely come before this Legislature, will be the questions of Prohibition, the regulation of railway rates, and good roads. EVENTS AND COMMENTS. 325 The Remodeled 14th Ward Chapel.— The old, hiscorical 14th ward meetinghouse in Salt Lake City, built in 1862, has been remodeled, the work of change having begun last September. Special services were held in the new building January 3, and on the 6th a sociable, with a fine program in the chapel, and dancing in the amusement hall in the basement, was successfully carried out, and which was a reunion of the old and young members of the ward, as well as for former members, for whom it was a joyous "home coming." The Atlantic Fleet.— The battleship fleet left Manila December 1, 1908. It touched Colombo, Ceylon, and proceeded to Suez, thence to Port Said, after which it was divided into squadrons, and it was expected it would make a series of calls at Athens, Trepoli, Marsailles, Genoa, Malta, Naples and other Mediterranean ports. Three of the ships took part in the relief of the earthquake sufferers at Messina, and other Italian ports. It is expected that the ships will reach New York on Washington's birthday, after having circumnavigated the globe, a distance of more than 42,000 miles. Cuban Election. — The general election held in Cuba on Nov. 14, last, resulted in the choice of the Liberals, Jose Miguel Gomes, president, and Alfreda Zayas, vice-president of the Cuban republic. Strong liberal majorities were also elected for the Senate and House of the national legislature. Gomez was a leader in the Cuban revolution, and was a candidate for election in 1905, but withdrew because he said it was impossible to conduct a campaign under existing conditions. This led to a rising, to the resignation of the late President Palma, and to the intervention of the United States, whose troop3 withdraw from the country and leave its government to the newly elected officers. Fourth-class Postmasters Under Civil Service.— By an order from President Roosevelt, 4th class postmasters in the New England States, and in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan have been placed under civil service rules. Fifteen thousand officers are affected, and as many postmasters, who have heretofore been appointed by political preference, usually by grace of the state Representatives to Congress or by Senators, will hereafter, as vacancies occur, be appointed from elegible lists established after competitive examination by the Civil Service commission, and remain in office daring efficiency and good behavior. The Vote for Presidential Electors. — The popular vote for Presidential Electors is an interesting study. On account of each state electing its own electors it frequently happens that the electors are chosen by only a comparative small majority, or that a very large majority for electors from any state appears to be votes thrown away. In the last election the popular vote stood: Republican, 7,637,- 676; Democrats, 6,393,182; Socialist, 448,453; Prohibitionists, 241,252; Independence League, 83,186, People's Party, 33,871; Socialist Labor, 15,421. The Democratic vote was 1,315,211 larger than in 1904, while the Republican was 14, 190 larger. The Populist and Prohibitionist votes were smaller, and the Socialist only a little larger than four years ago. 326 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Pioneer Monument at Lehi. — Recently a pioneer monument was unveiled at Lehi, Utah. The movement for the erection of the monument was initiated by school teachers of the district aided by the trustees, city council and a committee of citizens. A mass meeting was held on the 21st or April. 1908, at which a general committee was authorized to carry the idea into execution. The monument was designed by the Elias Morris & Sons Company, Salt Lake City, and was erected in time for dedication on Thanksgiving day, November 26, 1908. An appropriate program was prepared and rendered on the occasion at which speeches were made by leading citizens, with W. S. Evans master of ceremonies Mrs. A. Cox Hardwick, who was Lehi's first child, unveiled the monument, and Elder John Henry Smith offered the dedicatory prayer. David Evans was orator and among the speakers were John Henry Smith, T. R. Cutler, and Jacob Bushman. President Abel John Evans acted as master of ceremonies at the monument. The monument is set on a cement foundation six by six feet and two feet deep. The base is composed of Utah gran* ite and is four by four feet. The shaft, of Vermont granite, is sixteen inches at the base, eleven inches at the top and ten feet high, making the total length of the monument sixteen feet. On the south side is a design of Fort Lehi and wall; in raised letters on the east side are the words "Fort Wall;" on the north side of the monument the following is engraved: "Lehi settled 1850; organized a ward 1861; David Evans first bishop, incorporated as a city February 5, 1852, Silas P. Barnes first mayor; erected 1908." On the east side in raised letters appear the words, "Lehi Pioneers." The total cost of the monument is $650, and it is erected on the Primary School The Pioneer Monument, Lehi, Utah. EVENTS AND COMMENTS. 327 grounds on the line of the old fort wall. The general committee on erection were: W. S. Evans, chairman; A. Fjeld, ^secretary; G. N. Child, treasurer; M. B. Bushman, A. B. Anderson. One of the creditable results growing out of the event was the adoption of a resolution to write a history of the settlement. The resolution was proposed by Hon. Abel John Evans . President Castro Deposed. — President Castro after his trouble with Holland found his affairs in bad shape in Venezuela, and went to Europe intending ostensibly to raise funds. He met with failure, and his own people went against him. There were several riots, but finally acting President Gomez, on December 20, took possession of the government, arrested the conspirators, dismissed Castro's ministers, installed a new cabinet, and proclaimed his intention to enforce the constitution and the laws. He suspended the decree against commerce with Caracao which was the chief grievance of Holland which caused her to seize the Venezuelan ships and otherwise threaten Castro. President Nord Alexis Deposed— A periodical revolution in Haiti has been headed by General Antoine Simon who succeeded in deposing President Nord Alexis, who has tyrannized over the people for some years, and in proclaiming General Legitime the new president. President Nord with some money and personal belongings escaped from the rioting populace at Port au Prince on December 2. He took refuge on a French warship and narrowly escaped assassination. On December 17, General Simon was unanimously selected President of the Republic by the Haitian Congress, and took the oath of office on the 20th. The new government has been recognized by the United States. Says an American: ' 'Of all the tragic and comic attempts to set up a civil order, Haiti presents the most grotesque example." Only four out of twenty-one rulers in Haiti's century of freedom, have served full terms. The New Reign In China.— Pu Yi, the two-year-old Emperor of China, *vho succeeded to the throne on December 2, 1908, after the death of the recent thirty-six-year-old Emperor Kuang Tsu, November 14, and the seventy-four-yearold Dowager Empress, Tsu-hsi, the next day, November 15, will reign under the name of Hsuan-tung. Edicts were published on the day of his enthronement granting amnesty to certain offenders, and pledging the Emperor to carry out the program for the grant of a constitution at the end of nine years. Since then, however, it is reported that there is a reactionary movement in the government, and fears are expressed that the somewhat liberal and modern ideas of the late Dowager Empress by which the institutions of China were to be remodeled in accordance with Western ideas, will not be carried out by the present regime. Prince Chun is regent of the empire, and he was requested by the dying Dowager Empress to seek advice of the new Dowager Empress if serious questions should arise. Closing Session of the 60th Congress. — The short session of the 60th Congress which must close before March 4, opened December 7, and the day fol- 328 IMPROVEMENT ERA. lowing the president's message was received. Among the many "recommendations made by him was one for more forcible laws regarding combinations of capital. He also urged that railways should be put entirely under the interstate commerce commission, and that telegraph and telephone companies in interstate business should also be under the jurisdiction of the commission. He also directed attention to the inadequate salaries of judges; to delays in the administration of justice; to the need of safeguards against the abuse of the power of injunction; to the duty of protecting the forests and improving the internal waterways; to the desirability of establishing postal savings-banks and extending the parcels-post on rural routes; and to the necessity of adding to the navy four first-class battleships. The special session of the new Congress will likely begin about March 18. The terms of thirty senators expire March 4, but a number of Ihese will have been re-elected, or new ones chosen by the opening of the special session. The Earthquake in Italy.— The year 1908 closed with one of the greatest calamities in themodern history of the nations— the earthquakes, sea- waves, fire. and destruction of life and property in southern Italy, and the island of Sicily. The quake and sea- wave occurred in the early morning of December 28, 1908. Two large cities, Messina in Sicily, and Reggio in the province of Calabria, are reported, the first entirely and the second almost entirely, destroyed, and the damage to property and the destruction of life in many other cities are almost incalculable. It is reported that from 150,000 to [200,000 lives were lost, and many of the people died in fearful agonies amid the ruins of the cities The ruins of Messina were razed to the ground and quicklime covered over them to prevent pestilence. This beautiful and historical city of 150,000 inhabitants thus became a mere burial mound, where 130,000 men, women and children found their sepulchre amid untold suffering and agony. The nations are offering such aid as can be given. Battleships are carrying food and supplies to the destitute. The United States leads in the work of succor. Congress appropriated $800,000 for the relief of the sufferers, and eight of the battleships of the Atlantic fleet, then in the Mediterranean, were placed at the disposal of the relief authorities. Besides government aid, subscriptions were taken in all parts of our country, and the Red Cross organizations sent vast sums to the relief fund; the American Red Cross gave 1,538,509 lire; the California Red Cross $10,000; New York branch, $54,000, and John D. Rockefeller gave $10,000. In many if not all the states contributions are received for the relief of the sufferers by popular subscription, Utah doing her share. On December 30, the following central committee appointed by Governor John C. Cutler, Governor-elect William Spry, and Mayor John S. Bransford, to solicit and receive contributions were named: William J. Halloran, Charles W. Nibley, P. A. Simpkins, Joseph E. Caine, Antonio Jachetta, Frank Lettieri and Moses Paggi. The Trustee- in-Trust for the Church contributed $100 t« head the list.