History of Salt Lake City, Part 56

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company
Number of Pages: 1194

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" Respectfully, " JOHN TAYLOR."

CHAPTER XLVII.

BIRTH OF THE UTAH LIBERAL PARTY. POLITICAL COALITION OF GENTILES AND MORMON SCHISMATICS. CONTEST AT THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION OF 1870. REPORT OF THE FIRST CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE LIBERAL PARTY.

In the beginning of the year 1870, in January and February, a political plan was devised to unite the Godbeites with the Gentiles. Both were few in number ; even when united they were but an insignificant minority, compared with the party since known as the " People's" party. The coalition, however, was consid- ered promising and prospectively formidable. On the one side, the schismatic Mormon elders and merchants were likely to have a large following throughout the Territory or, at least, it was expected that the schism would increase greatly and extend to every settlement, even though it should lack cohesion. Nothing seemed more probable than that there were thousands of men and women, who had grown up in the Mormon community, or been long connected with it, apart from any spiritualistic " New Movement " incubated at nightly seances at New York, who occupied similar positions, and entertained similar views regarding Mormonism, to those of Mr. Godbe and his compeers, and the Walker Brothers, Chislett and their class, who had left the Church years before. There were also

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many influential men who remained in the Mormon Church who said to Mr. Godbe and his friends, " You should have remained in the Church and fought out your issues. It was a great mistake to set up new a church."

And thus the " New Movement," or new " Church of Zion " was soon gen- erally looked upon to be in and of itself a failure, while to the faithful Mormons, whose head of the Church was so prominent and sound, whose will so strong and or- ganism matchless, this church of Zion, without a head, or even the power to organize a quorum of elders, was a thing of scorn. Henry W. Lawrence keenly felt this and forecasted failure in the object of the schism. The only resolution of any social potency was in a quick uniting of the Godbeites with the Gentiles, and the formation of a political party by such a coalition.

" The design was projected, and early in February, 1870, a political caucus was called, of the leading men concerned, to give birth to the party now known as the "Liberal " party. The meeting was held in the Masonic Hall. Eli B. Kelsey was chosen chairman, whereupon the leaders made their preliminary speeches, formulated methods for the city election close at hand, with Henry W. Lawrence at the head of their ticket for Mayor of Salt Lake City. The Gentiles, with political sagacity, kept in the background, merely playing the parts as ad- visers, helpers and voters Of course the object of this maneuver was to make their coalition party a political entering wedge into the Mormon Church, by call- ing out the Mormon friends of the men on the ticket. The preliminary work having been done, the meeting adjourned to be held next at Walker Brother's old store, where the " New Movement " held its service and public meetings ; Eli B. Kelsey was continued as chairman, and a committee was appointed to make a pub- lic call for the ratification of the Liberal ticket.

Accordingly the city was duly placarded, informing the public of the meet- ing and its object ; and the invitation given was " Come one, come all !" It was an unfortunate wording ; for it was addressed to the "PEOPLE " of Salt Lake City to " come one, come all " to nominate their municipal officers for the forthcom- ing election. The Mormons were " the people "-"The People's party "-a name, indeed, which came into political significance from that very election. The People's party resolved to accept the invitation, and give the Liberals a sur- prise. It was a party coup d'etat, perhaps, not quite fair, yet without that fell de- sign which the Liberal party has marked in the first chapter of its own history. It was in fact, merely a political move of party managers to show the people how futile an opposition party was, and how easily overwhelmed.

But it is necessary to the completeness of the historical data of our city, as due to the Utah Liberal party, which has since repeatedly contested the elections for Delegate to Congress to give its first chapter as presented by its own central committee at the time.

The Deseret News of February 10, 1870, thus called attention to " the Mass Meeting : " .

" By a placard which is posted up in several places in the city, signed ' many voters,' we see that it is the intention to hold a public MASS MEETING this, Thursday, Evening, at half past six o'clock, in the building known as Walker Brothers' original store, on East Temple Street. The object of the meeting, as

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set forth by the placard, is ' for the nomination of a People's Free and Indepen. dent Ticket for Mayor, Aldermen, Councilors, etc., to be voted for on Monday, the 14th instant.'

" The placard is headed in large letters, ' COME ONE, COME ALL." A full meeting is desired, and as the object is one of general interest to all classes of our citizens, we hope there will be a crowded attendance. We want to see a good ticket nominated for city officers and the occasion is one in which every citi- zen should be interested."

On Saturday, February 12, 1870, the following appeared in the 7th number of the Mormon Tribune, published by Godbe & Harrison :

"A CARD BY THE COMMITTEE.

" The Mass Meeting, called by many voters, in Walker Brothers' original store, Thursday evening, February 10, was overwhelmed by a characteristic maneu- vering on the part of the Church authorities. The Deseret Evening News promptly announced the meeting, and gave a significant hint for a grand coup d' etat. And we are well informed that A. Milton Musser went to the different wards of the city, and instructed the bishops and teachers to have the people of their wards turn out en masse, and defeat the object for which the meeting was called. The principal of the Deseret University, also instructed his pupils to be on hand. A large crowd took possession of the street in front of the building long before the hour appointed for the meeting. The pressing demand for admittance, ren- dered it necessary to open the doors a six o'clock, whereupon the crowd rushed in with screams and yells, jumping over and breaking the seats in the most reck- less manner. At the head of the crowd marched J. D. T. McAllister, acting bishop of the Eighth Ward and Territorial marshal, and Bishop J. C. Little. Mr. Eli B. Kelsey stated that this was an adjourned meeting of which he was the reg- ular chairman ; but as they took possession by force they were welcome to do so. Without a moment's delay, Bishop J. C. Little was nominated for chairman of the meeting, Mr. E. L. Sloan was elected secretary, and Mr. Grimshaw reporter. Bishop Little called for nominations, when the whole orthodox ticket was nomi- nated one by one by acclamation ; the more sober and thoughtful portion of the audience ignoring the whole proceedings, considering that a gross outrage had been perpetrated by the Church officials. We sincerely regret the unmistakable animus betrayed in the whole affair ; and we feel more than ever the need of a change.

" We call upon every free American citizen to rally to the polls on Monday next, and vote the Independent ticket, thereby manifesting their disapproval of proceedings rarely equalled-certainly never outdone in the Kansas elections."

"INDEPENDENT TICKET : Mayor-Henry W. Lawrence ; aldermen-First Municipal Ward, Samuel Kahn; Second Municipal Ward, J. R. Walker; Third Municipal Ward, Orson Pratt, Jr .; Fourth Municipal Ward, E. D. Woolley ; Fifth Municipal Ward, James Gordon. Councilors-Nat Stein, Anthony Godbe, John Cunnington, John Lowe, Marsena Cannon, Fred 'T. Perris, Dr. W. F. An- derson, Wm. Sloan, Peter Rensheimer ; city recorder, Wm. P. Appleby ; city treasurer, B. G. Raybould; city marshal, Ed. Butterfield.

" By order of the " CENTRAL COMMITTEE."

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The following correspondence passed between the Liberal central committee and the mayor :

" SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 12, 1870. " Daniel H. Wells, mayor Salt Lake City.

" DEAR SIR :- You are doubtless aware there is an Independent ticket nom- inated by many voters of this city to be submitted to the people for their suffrage, at the municipal election on Monday, the 14th instant. We, therefore, respect- fully ask, on behalf of those wishing to sustain said ticket, that one judge of election and one clerk be appointed from the Independent party, by you or the city council, to act in these positions at said election ; and would respectfully ask that John M. Worley, and William P. Appleby be appointed for those positions, which is according to the usages of the country.

" This committee is desirous that none but legal votes shall be cast at the coming election, and to this end ask of you the assurance that the usual challenges and ballot box shall be protected by you and the police force of this city. Will you please return an answer by bearer ?

"By order of the committee, " J. M. Orr, Chairman."

" MAYOR'S OFFICE, SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 13th, 1870. "J. M. Orr, Esq., Chair. Cen. Com.

" SIR :- Your note dated 12th inst. asking for a change to be made in the board of judges and clerks of election is just received, and I hasten to answer.

" Col. Jesse C. Little, Seymour B. Young and John Needham, Esqs., have been chosen judges, and F. A. Mitchell and R. V. Morris, Esqs., clerks of said election.

" These gentlemen were selected and appointed to act as said judges and clerks by the city council on Teusday, Ist inst., and, I am sanguine, command the confidence of the entire people, and will doubtless act justly and wisely in the performance of the duties thus devolved upon them.

" Rest assured that every protection will be afforded for voters to vote their respective tickets without partiality or hindrance.

" If, as is sometimes the case, during the day, the polls should be crowded, I would recommend the voters to be patient, for all will have the opportunity af- forded to them to vote during the day. And it is designed to enforce the strictest order.

Respecfully, D. H. WELLS, Mayor."

The municipal election on the Monday, Febuary 14th, was quite peaceful, showing on either side but little of the animus which the commencement seemed to promise. The Deseret News merely noted the result of the election, with an item relative to the counting of votes. The Liberal party were the speakers to the public on the occasion, as will be seen from the report of the first central committee of the Liberal party.

" To the editors of the Mormon Tribune :

" The undersigned, a committee representing the Independent voters of Salt

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Lake City and County, desire to state to the public the circumstances connected with the organization of the first Independent political party in this Territory, as also the facts of the recent election.

" On Wednesday, February 9th, a meeting was held at the Masonic Hall, of those opposed to the existing state of our city government. An organization was effected, a central committee was appointed to serve for one year, and a ticket for city officers, composed of old and respected citizens without regard to creed or religious belief, nominated by acclamation. A mass meeting was also appointed for the following night to be held at Walkers' original store, for the ratification of the nominations, and an exchange of views on the questions before the people. Long previous to the hour appointed, the street in front of, and the building itself, were taken possession of by a crowd of men, determined to defeat the purposes of the meeting. We have already stated in the Tribune the result of their endeavors, the same number of your journal, however, contained the original, regularly nominated Independent ticket, as submitted to the people on Monday last. During the election many irregularities, to say the least, were re- ported to us (by a sub-committee of challengers appointed by us) which we were and are powerless to remedy. They state that-

" Many voted who were not citizens of the United States.

" Many who were not citizens of Salt Lake City.

"Many who were not of lawful age ; and the ballot boxes when filled were set aside and not properly sealed or guarded.

" It is needless to recapitulate the numerous obstacles thrown in the way of those desirous of voting the Independent ticket, or the annoyances to which our challengers were subjected. Suffice it to say that without these, and the existing law of the Territory compelling the numbering and identifying of each vote, a system practically robbing every citizen of his freedom of ballot, the result would have been far different. The means used by our opponents to prevent a fair elec- tion and an impartial count prove their fears on this point.

" The result of the election, as announced by the judges-no member of our committee being allowed to be present at the counting of the votes-shows an average of about three hundred votes for the Independent ticket, and we regard our commencement in the great work of vindicating the rights of free speech, free thought and a free press in this Territory a promising one. To sum up the reward of five days' work : After twenty years of self-constituted city govern- ment, to which we have paid thousands in taxation, without an exhibit of receipts or expenses, and for that time not daring to express a sentiment in opposition to those held by the dominant party, we have in the election of Monday last demon- strated to the country the existence of American institutions in this Territory, and believe that the seed sown on that day will bear such fruits that before many months the STATE of UTAH, freed from all relics of past tyranny and oppression, will be found marching with the great sisterhood of States, keeping step with the progress of the Union.

" In concluding we would return thanks to those of our fellow citizens who have by their confidence placed us in our responsible and prominent positions before the public. The responsibility we realize,-the publicity was unsought.

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The duties of our positions we will discharge, as long as honored by their confi- dence, in the fear of God and love of humanity, unshaken loyalty to our country and with 'charity for all' who differ from us and ' malice towards none.' " Respectfully, " J. M. ORR, " J. R. WALKER, "' JOSEPH SALISBURY, " T. D. BROWN, " JAMES BROOKS, " SAMUEL KAHN, " R. H. ROBERTSON, " Central Committee."

The People's ticket of that year was :

Mayor-Daniel H. Wells; aldermen-First Municipal Ward, Isaac Groo ; Second, Samuel W. Richards; Third, A. H. Raleigh; Fourth, Jeter Clinton ; Fifth, A. C. Pyper. Councilors-Robert T. Burton, Theodore Mckean, Thos. Jenkins, Heber P. Kimball, Henry Grow, John Clark, Thos. Mclellan, John R. Winder, Lewis S. Hills ; Recorder-Robert Campbell; treasurer-Paul A. Schet- tler ; marshal-John D. T. McAllister.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

PASSAGE OF THE WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE BILL. GRAND MASS MEETING OF THE "SISTERS" PROTESTING AGAINST THE CULLOM BILL, THEN BEFORE CON- GRESS, EXTRAORDINARY RESOLUTIONS AND HEROIC SPEECHES OF THE WOMEN OF MORMONDOM,

The year 1870 was also signalized by the passage of the female suffrage bill, which event was destined to make Mormon Utah politically distinguished among all the advocates of woman's suffrage throughout the world.

The Phrenological Journal for November, 1870, in its biographical article on " William H. Hooper, the Utah Delegate and female suffrage advocate," says :

" Utah is a land of marvels. She gives us, first, polygamy, which seems to be an outrage against ' woman's rights,' and then offers the nation a 'female suf- frage bill,' at this time in full force within her own borders. Was there ever a greater anomaly known in the history of society? The women of Utah hold political power to-day. They are the first in the nation to whom the functions of the state have been extended, and it is just as consistent to look for a female member of Congress from Utah as a member of Congress sent to Washington by the women's vote. Let the women be once recognized as powers in the state as well as in society and in the church, and their political rights can be extended to 13

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any length, according to the temper of the public mind, of which the female element forms so large a part.

" There is in our innovative age much discussion on the abstract justice, and also on the practical propriety of extending political power to the women of America ; and the women of England have made the same demand in the polit- ical motions of our old Saxon fatherland. This may be caused by one of the great impulses of the times, for we are certainly living in an age of impulses. It is also an age of marvels; not merely in steam and electricity, but in our social states and philosophies of society. Indeed, until modern times, the phrase 'social science ' was not known ; but these new problems and marvels of society have led statesmen and philosophers to recognize a positive ' social science,' and the term sociology to-day is just as legitimate as the term geology. And it is very singular that those advanced minds who are beginning to reduce government and the social development to systems of positive philosophy, bring in the function of political power for woman. Of course your political gamblers and legislative charlatans are against the innovations which female suffrage bills would work out in the age ; but such philosophical lawgivers of society and government as John Stuart Mill, and also statesmen like Cobden and Bright of England, are contemplating the extension of political power to the women as one of the grand methods for the world's future good.

" Our present object is not, however, to contend for the benefits to accrue to society through the agencies of woman brought to bear upon the State, as they have been in the Church and in the general spheres of life, but to note the ex- traordinary circumstances of political power having been first granted to and ex- ercised by the women of Utah. We see that female suffrage is both accepted and strongly maintained as one of the great social problems of the future, not only to advance the world, but to assert the dignity and cause of womanhood ; that it is thus accepted and maintained by the boldest female reformers of America and the great masters of social science in England. That is one side of the case, and in that view we find no subject for astonishment, for the men and women whose very names represent mind in the reform movements of the times will be certain to be found in the vanguard of civilization; but that the women of Utah, who have been considered representatives of womanhood in its degradation, should suddenly be found on the same platform with John Stuart Mill and his sister- hood, is truly a matter for astonishment. And moreover, when we look upon the Mormon " kingdom of God," as the Saints denominate it, as the first nation- ality in the world which has granted to woman political power and created her the chief part of the State as well as the Church, one cannot but confess that the Mormons in this have stolen a march upon their betters.

" Three years ago a friend of the Mormons informed us that the Delegate of Utah was in New York, just from Washington, bound for Utah to lay before Brigham Young the extraordinary design of giving to the women of Mormondom political power. And the circumstance was the more marked from the singular facts that the legislative minds, aided by the American press, were proposing just at that time a scheme for Congress to force female suffrage upon Utah, to give to the women of that Territory the power to break up the institution of polygamy

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and emancipate themselves from their supposed serfdom and the degradation of womanhood. This done, the conclusion, of course, was that Mormonism and the Mormons would become converted and transformed into respectable mono- gamic problems, easy of solution by our multitude of Christian and other civiliz- ing agencies."

The incident referred to in the Phrenological Journal relative to William H. Hooper as the female suffrage delegate from Utah, may be supplemented with the narrative itself. Mr. Julian, of Indiana, offered a bill to the House in 1867 in substance, "A Bill to solve the Polygamic Problem." Upon its presentation and announcement, Delegate Hooper immediately called upon Mr. Julian, saying, " That bill has a high sounding title. What are its provisions ?" He replied. sim- ply a bill of one section providing for the enfranchisement of the women of Utah. "Mr. Julian," said the Delegate, " I am in favor of that bill." He in- quired, " Do you speak for your own leading men?" Mr. Hooper replied, "I do not ; but I know of no reason why they should not also approve of it."

When Mr. Hooper returned to Utah, he held a conversation with President Brigham Young upon this subject. " Brother Hooper," inquired the President, "are you in favor of female suffrage?" "I know of no reason why I should not be," he answered. No more was said ; but from that time the subject seemed to develop itself in the mind of the President and soon afterwards it was taken up by the Legislative body and passed by an unanimous vote.

The following is a copy of the bill :

" An Act, giving women the elective franchise in the Territory of Utah.

"SEC. I .- Be it enacted by the Governor and the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Utah : That every woman of the age of twenty-one years, who has resided in this Territory six months next preceding any general or special elec- tion, born or naturalized in the United States, or who is the wife, or widow, or the daughter of a naturalized citizen of the United States, shall be entitled to vote at any election in this Territory.

"SEC. 2 .- All laws, or parts of laws, conflicting with this act are hereby repealed.

" Approved February 12, 1870."

It has been charged by the anti-Mormons, that woman suffrage in Utah was only designed to further enslave the Mormon women ; that they took no part in its passage, and have had no soul in its exercise. Nearly the reverse of this is the case as the records will show. Here follow the minutes of a general meeting of the great Female Relief Society, held in Salt Lake City, February 19, 1870-just seven days after the passage of their bill :

"MINUTES .- Most of the wards of the city were represented. Miss E. R. Snow was elected president, and Mrs. L. D. Alder secretary.

" Meeting opened with singing ; prayer by Mrs. Harriet Cook Young.

" Miss Eliza R. Snow arose and said, to encourage the sisters in good works, she would read an account of our indignation meeting, as it appeared in the Sac- ramento Union; which account she thought a fair one. She also stated that an ex- pression of gratitude was due acting-Governor Mann, for signing the document

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granting woman suffrage in Utah, for we could not have had the right without his sanction, and said that Wyoming had passed a bill of this kind over its governor's head, but we could not have done this.

" The following names were unanimously selected to be a committee for said purpose : Eliza R. Snow, Bathsheba W. Smith, Sarah M. Kimball, M. T. Smoot, H. C. Young, Z. D. Young, Phœbe Woodruff, M. I. Horne, M. N. Hyde, Eliza Cannon, Rachel Grant, Amanda Smith.

" Mrs. Sarah M. Kimball said she had waited patiently a long time, and now that we were granted the right of suffrage, she would openly declare herself a woman's rights woman, and called upon those who would do so to back her up, whereupon many manifested their approval. She said her experience in life had been different from that of many. She had moved in all grades of society ; had been both rich and poor ; had always seen much good and intelligence in woman. The interests of man and woman cannot be separated ; for the man is not without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord. She spoke of the fool- ish custom which deprived the mother of having control over her sons at a certain age ; said she saw the foreshadowing of a brighter day in this respect in the fu- ture. She said she had entertained ideas that appeared wild, which she thought would yet be considered woman's rights ; spoke of the remarks made by Brother Rockwood, lately, that women would have as much prejudice to overcome, in oc- cupying certain positions as men would in granting them, and concluded by de- claring that woman was the helpmate of man in every department of life.

" Mrs. Phœbe Woodruff said she was pleased with the reform, and was heart and hand with her sisters. She was thankful for the privilege that had been granted to women, but thought we must act in wisdom and not go too fast. She had looked for this day for years. God has opened the way for us. We have borne in patience, but the yoke on woman is partly removed. Now that God has moved upon our brethren to grant us the right of female suffrage, let us lay it by, and wait till the time comes to use it, and not run headlong and abuse the privi- lege. Great and blessed things are ahead. All is right and will come out right, and woman will receive her reward in blessing and honor. May God grant us strength to do right in his sight.

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History of Salt Lake City, Part 56

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company
Number of Pages: 1194