--- 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: 5 published: 1909-03 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. 5 (March 1909): 403–408.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1205unse 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: improvementera1205unse start_page: 403 end_page: 408 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1909-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1205unse 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. Caleb W. West.— The last territorial governor of Utah, Hon. Caleb W. West, died on Sunday evening, January 24, at Providence hospital, Oakland, California. He was the son of Andrew Jackson and Katherine Murphy West, and was born in Kentucky, May 25, 1844. He was governor of Utah twice, from 1886 to 1889 , and from 1893 to statehood. At the beginning of his first administration, when he succeeded Governor Eli H. Murray, there were stirring times in the territory, and his coming heralded conciliation after the turbulent administration of Governor Murray. He signed the first bonds of the territory, and the acts of the legislature establishing the Agricultural College and the Reform School. A portrait and sketch of Governor West was published in May, 1901» in the Improvement Era. Gov. Caleb W. West. Uncompromising Hostility to the Saloon. — During the whole of January and February, the agitation for statewide prohibition continued with unabated interest. Over seventy-five thousand names have been sent to the legislators, almost every settlement in Utah contributing its practically unanimous quota asking for a law prohibiting the sale of liquors. Many private communications have been written to the legislators urging the measure. Mass meetings have been held; resolutions passed, and delegations appointed to visit the representatives and senators. Perhaps the largest gathering was the great mass meeting held in the Salt Lake Theatre on Tuesday afternoon, February 2, under the auspices of the women's clubs, Mrs. C. H. McMahon presiding. The building was packed, there being standing room only. Addresses were made by Hon. Nephi L. Morris, Mrs. Ruth May Fox, Mrs. P. A. Simpkin, Mrs. E, E. Shepherd, and Rev. Francis B. Short. A resolution against the saloon and liquor traffic, expressing the sentiment of the people gathered, was read by request by Hon. Heber J. Grant, and passed with a vim. As the campaign proceeded it became clearly apparent that the leading poli- 404 IMPROVEMENT ERA. ticians in power are opposed to prohibition. Heavy pressure was brought to bear upon the legislature, particularly the senators, against the proposed law, introduced in the House by Hon. Jos. J. Cannon and supported by the Anti-saloon League, on the ground that it was a Democratic measure, supported mainly by members of that party. This resulted in a number of leading Republicans calling a state mass meeting to be held at the Salt Lake Theatre, Wednesday, February 24, to protest against the assertion that it is Democrats alone, and not Republicans who want prohibition. In the meantime, the House passed the Cannon bill by an overwhelming vote of thirty-nine against four. The names of the four are: T. L. Holman, Hugh A. McMillen, Daniel McRae, and Claude Y. Russell. On Monday, 15th, the bill came up for reconsideration, and again passed the House. On the 20th, the bill was considered in the Senate and defeated by a vote of 12 to 6, as follows: Against, Carl A. Badger, Herschel Bullen, Jr., E. T. Hulaniski, J. A. Hyde, Rudolf Kuchler, Charles E. Marks, John H. Seeley,R.W. Sevy, Benner X. Smith, John Y. Smith, S. J. Stookey, President Henry Gardner— 12; For, Alonzo Brinkerhoff, Christopher Burton, Jr., W. C. Horsley, Albert E. Miller, W. N. Williams and James B. Wilson — 6. Lor:n Farr. — A Utah pioneer, Hon. Lorin Farr.born July 27, 1820, in Waterford, Caledonia County, Vermont, passed to his restinOgden, on January, 12,1909. He was sent to Ogden in 1850, by President Brigham Young, "to locate and take charge of the Northern Colonies;" was the first Mayor of Ogden City, acting for twenty-two years ; presided for more than twenty years over the Weber Stake of Zion, and for twenty-eight years represented Weber, Box Elder, and Cache counties in the Territorial Legislature; and was a member of the Constitutional Convention, which, in 1895, framed the state constitution upon which Utah was admitted to the Union. As a colonizer, a lawmaker, and an executive, he exhibited wisdom, honesty and integrity, and was among the fortmost of the hardy pioneers in enterprise and action. In religious affairs he was true and faithful in every calling, helpful to all, and a Latter-day Saint in every Lorin Farr. fibre. He was a witness to the whole wondrous history of the Latter-day Saints, from the time when, an eleven-year old lad in 1832, he was baptized, until the day of his death, in his 89th year. He lived EVENTS AND COMMENTS. 405 with the family of the Prophet Joseph Smith during the winter of the exodus from Missouri to Illinois. Railroads, canyon roads, saw and flouring mills, factories, farms and other enterprises in Weber county, are witnesses to his activity and zeal. For more than a quarter of a century while in the hey-day of his manhood's strength, he impressed his character, energy and thrift upon the citizens of his day and time, and made all who came under his influence better and happier for the contact. Since 1895. he has lived quietly at his home, much of his time, however, having been spent in travel among the Saints; and latterly in peaceful work in the temples. The funeral took place from the Ogden Tabernacle, Sunday, January 17. Among the speakers were President Joseph F. Smith, Elders George Albert Smith, Joseph Parry, President L. W. Shurtliff and Hon. Fred J. Kiesel. John Nicholson. — In the death of Elder John Nicholson, which occurred on the 25th of January a prominent and much beloved resident of Utah passed to his reward. His was a bright intellect and his attainments place him in the fore" front of the energetic workers of the Church. As a speaker and writer, he was well known among the people, and his clear, logical and concise method of expressing himself found great favor with both hearers and readers. He was the associate editor of the Deseret News for a number of years in the 80's, and was the first editor of the Ogden Herald, established in 1881, and later changed to the Standard. His writings for the Improvement Era, Juvenile Instructor and other Church publications are well known. He wrote several poems, and three of his hymns are found in the L. D. S, hymn book. He was the author of the Preceptor, the first systematic study adopted by the Improvement Associations of the Church. He possessed a high sense of honor, justice and right, and was a thorough Latter-day Saint, devoting most of his life to the building up of the Church. He was a native of St. Bos well, Roxburgh, Scotland, where he was born July 13, 1839. He joined the Church on the 8th of April, 1861, laboring thereafter as a missionary for three years, from 1863 to '66, part of which time he presided over the Birmingham Conferense. He filled another mission to England during 1878 to 1880, being associate editor at that time of the Millennial Star, and again visited Great Britain in 1891. He numbered friends among all creeds and classes of people and everybody who became acquainted with him respected him for his firm attitude towards the right and his hatred of wrong and error. He was a man John Nicholson. 406 IMPROVEMENT ERA. never afraid to express his honest convictions. An extended biography of him written by Elder Orson F. Whitney appears in the March and April numbers of the Era, volume six, 1903. The funeral was held in the 18th ward chapel on Thursday, January 28, and was largely attended. Among the speakers were Presidents Joseph P. Smith and John R. Winder, and Apostle 0. F. Whitney who paid glowing tributes to his character and labors. Charles R. Savage. — On the night of February 3, Charles R Savage, one of the old residents and best known business men of Salt Lake City, died unexpectedly at his home. Elder Savage was one of the big-hearted men of Utah, whose influence and personality were felt for good in the whole community, and it is not too much to say that owing to his kind personality and his labors with the old folks, he was one of the most beloved men in the state. He was the originator of the Old Folks' Organization which has brought sunshine and joy to the hearts of thousands of men and women who have reached and passed the summit of life, and he continued to be the leading spirit in these entertainments for the aged from the day it was first established, in 1875, until the day of his death. His labors in this direction alone have been enough to engrave his name in the memory and hearts of the people for many years to come. He was a native of England, having been born in Southampton, August 16, 1832. He had been a resident of Salt Lake City since 1856, and he came to America several years prior to that date. He opened the second photograph gallery in Salt Lake City, and for many years was practically the only person engaged in that line of work. He retired from the management of the book and studio business about three years ago, but was still the head of the firm of C. R. Savage & Co , up to the time of his death. In point of service and of years, he was the oldest member of the Tabernacle Choir, which he joined in 1860, and regularly attended up to the time of his death. Politically, and educationally he wielded great influence among the people, and he was beloved by all who knew him, for his kindness, sympathy, good cheer, and wise counsel. He contributed several interesting writings that have appeared n the Era, and was a frequent contributor to other Church publications. Charles R. Savage, Founder of the Old Folks' Outings. EVENTS AND COMMENTS. 407 New Mission President. — President Rufus K. Hardy of the New Zealand mission has been released, and Elder George Bowles of the bishopric of the Second Ward, Salt Lake City, appointed to succeed him. Elder Bowles, born in Redhill, Surrey, England, December 28, 1866, came to Salt Lake City in May, 1888, where ho was converted to the gospel and joined the Church in December following. He was mill foreman for the Taylor- Armstrong Lumber Company for several years. In 1893, he filled a mission to New Zealand where he acted as president in two different conferences, laboring principally among the Maoris. Returning in 1897, he actively engaged in Church work at home, being president of the Second Ward Y. M. M. I. A., second and first assistant and finally superintendent of the Sunday School ; and in May, 1906, was chosen first counselor to Bishop Heber C. Iverson in the bishopric of the ward. He was also president of the tenth quorum of Seventy for about five years. His knowledge of building will especially fit him to supervise the construction of the new agricultural school to be erected in the mission, and his experience in Church work makes him a strong man for the responsible work of his new calling as president of the mission. The mission has a fine chapel and headquarters already completed and a productive farm of 130 acres of first class land. The Netherlands-Belgium Mission. — From the report of Prest. Sylvester Q.Cannon of the Netherlands-Belgium mission, for the year ending December 31, 1908, appearing in the Millennial Star, it is learned that they have opened 11 new fields in that mission, and that the Relief Societies and Sunday Schools have increased in number and enrollment. There are six more Sunday Schools than at the beginning of 1908. Tithing has increaed five per cent over last year, and fast offerings 26 per cent. Many young missionaries have been received in the mission during the past eighteen months, but the president expresses a wish that they might get a few experienced men. In the five conference there are 80 missionaries laboring with a total of 2,543 souls belonging to the Church. During the year 240 baptisms were performed, and 89 souls emigrated. The elders held 55,797 gospel conversations, distributed 472,153 tracts and 32,532 books, held 3,652 meetings, and visited 128,590 strangers' homes. George Bowles. 408 1MPRO VEMENT ERA . Missionary Work in Great Britain. — From a very interesting review of the year 1908, of the European mission, which appeared recently in the Millennial Star, it appears that over five and one half million tracts were distributed in the thirteen conferences of the British mission, and 168,702 books; 13,880 meetings were held, and 396,349 gospel conversations; 1,308,271 strangers' houses were visited in tracting, and 43,507 by invitation. There were 1,234 baptisms during the year, 292 persons emigrated from the British mission, and altogether 1,297 persons were shipped through the Liverpool office, including elders returning, and infants. There are 6,220 officers and members and 1,003 children under eight years of age, making a total of 7,223 in the British mission. As an illustration of the activity of the publishing department, it is stated that no less than 6,123,000 tracts, 140,000 bound pamphlets, and 153,000 conference circulars were printed during the year 1908, in the Liverpool office; 1,225,000 Rays of Living Light were printed, and the Millennial Star maintained its circulation with gratifying increase. On the whole the British mission is prospering in every department, and has made a splendid record in the effort to enlighten the world concerning the gospel. President Charles W. Penrose has been very active in visiting conferences and missions and writing in defense of the Church. Engaged with him in the noble work are 28 high priests, 97 seventies, and 211 elders, making a total of 336 missionaries, all of whom are alive and active in the work of the Lord. Roosevelt off for Africa. — President Roosevelt will head an expedition to Africa immediately after his retirement from the presidency, and the inauguration of President-elect William A . Taf t, March 4. Three representatives of the Smithsonian Institution and his son Kermit will accompany him on the trip. The president will kill big game, but the general purpose of the expedition is to gather general collections in zoology and botany. Kermit will be the official photographer. Only those who know the president's forehandedness and zeal for work are aware how complete his plans for the out already are. He will sail from New York, it is announced, March 13. The year will be spent in British East Africa, about Victoria Nyanza, and it is expected he will come out of the Dark continent in 1910 at Kartoum. Progress of Woman's Suffrage.— In the British Colonies of Australia and New Zealand, and in the American states of Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming, women have now the complete suffrage. Norway and Finland have also granted this privilege to women. Tc this list of states and countries Sweden must now be added. On Feb. 13 a bill passed the Swedish Diet by a vote of 134 to 94 and 120 to 98 in the two chambers amending the electoral law and providing for proportional representation in Parliament, and granting all persons over 24 years of age the right to vote without discrimination on account of sex.