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Show THK THE BEE. J. N. Editor POWERS... E. S. CARROLL... Business Manager lvt Ofllee at Salt Lake City, for transmission through the mall, an second class matter. Entered ut the Kates ot Subscription: Any part of the United States. Canada or Mexico, one year, istagc paid - 12.00 'Eagland, Franca. Germany, and all ooun-trie- s embraced In Universal lostal Union, one year, postage paid - - 2.50 New Subscriptions may commence at any time during the year. If the Paper Is not desired beyond the date subscribed for, the publishers should be notified by letter, two weeks or more before theterm expires. Discontinuances :UememlKT that the publishers must be notified by letter when a subscriber wishes his paper stopped. All .arrears must Ik? paid. Address all communications to BEE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 307 Auerbach Block, Salt Lake City. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1899. Utahs Grand Old Man is Moses Thatcher. In order to break the tleadlock and settle the senatorial question, he was asked by a majority of the present legislature to become again a candidate for United States senator. TThls was Ically a tender of the oflice. It meant his election to the United States senate for a term of six years as the successor of Frank J. Cannon. No doubt, the tender was made in good faith and all sincerity. Hut Moses Thatcher declined the offer, and has written a letter which should be read by every man and woman in Utah. Mr. Thatcher, in declining the honor, thus cast aside an honor which, excepting only thM of president of the United States, is the highest of any in the gift of the people. Honesty, sincerity and frankness shine all through it. It breathes a spirit of toleration and fairness whUh is refreshtj7i-ac- ( ing. iff Those people, in and out of this :state, who have of late seen fit to interest themselves in the affairs of Utah should read it. It might broaden them out, kill off some of their false prejudices, and break down the bigoted barriers that surround them. There is no man in this state more than is Moses loved ar.d respected Thatcher. Many disagree with his religion and with his politics, but his sincerity, his honesty and his loyalty are doubted by none. He has had ambition to represent Utah in the senate, and came within one vote of being elected two years ago. But whatever ambition Mr. Thatcher has had he now casts aside forever, and closes his the following earnest words: , let-ler- 9tr a6W Jn And now I beg of you and each op you to consider what I have written, and In connection therewith take Into account statement made by me to numerous friend that I would not enter thl contest a a candidate. It would seem unfair, and. I think, dishonorable, to do ho now, my friend in the race having entered It with the that I would not do ho. The Hon. Joseph L. Haw linn and the Ihn. It. II. Huberts, each having received from our party the honor foreshadowed at tin Ogden convention of 1SI5, and tin same having been virtually tendered to me, have you not cleared the way for a speedy adjustment of an important duty that of electing a United States senator for a term of six years? May wisdom and patriotism direct the proper solution of that question. For the good of Utah, in times past a religious, social and political storm center, now peaceful and prosperous; In the interest of all her people Gentile, Jew and Mormon" without distinction of creed, color or previous condition; in devotion to the Almighty, loyalty to country and fraternal affection for our fellow citizens throughout the Union; in behalf of devoted friends, tried and tested; and, as I believe, for the best good of the state and all interests within its fair borders, please accept the sacrifice I gladly make in declining your tender of support. With a heart filled with emotion and gratitude, yet a sense of duty to you, the state and the nation compels me to respectfully, but definitely and irrevocably, to decline the distinguished honor you have so generously tendered. Were the legislature assembly to unanimously elect me to the high office named, my answer would be the same. Patriotism and the respect I entertain for the views of the people of the Union; loyalty to Utah and love for her. citizens; fealty to party and, what seems, under present conditions, wise, all cry out against it. It should not cannot be! By a very harrow' majority the treaty of peace negotiated by the commissioners of the United States and Spain at Paris was on Tuesday ratified by the senate. This is the end of the war with Spain, or will be as soon as that country approves the treaty. Spain has withdrawn from the Philippines, Cuba and Porto Rico, and this government has assumed the mighty responsibility of governing or providing a government for those islands. While there was a great deal of con- llict of opinion as to the wisdom of approving the treaty, we believe it is best that it should be approved, and that the great majority of the people HICK But Jn support of hi theory Hubert country are glad that we have to made an opin manly fight. He fought settled with Spain and that she have no further control of thl terri- against great odds, and the applause tory. But our war with Spain In itself that greeted hi word showed that wa an insignificant matter compared there were other who believed a he with the perplexing problems that this did, but who lacked the courage to government has had thrust upon It as oppose a measure that might make a result of that war. It Is going to them future trouble. If we remember tax all the resources of this governright 'even our own Tribune did a litment to meet the situation. The moot tle chirping favorable to Hoberts posiour best and ablest tion at the time. But It soon fell In profound wisdom of statesmen will be. required. So far s line with the majority and has done no Cuba and Porto Hico are concerned, chirping that the public know of they are close at hand and cun be since. easily managed. But how about the It may well be questioned, however, Philippines? They are thousands of whether women have gained anything miles away. Inhabited by barbarous or whether the State has gained anysavages, who have no Idea of thing by woman suffrage In Utah. They are centuries behind Maybe women will Improve as they us, so far as civilization Is concerned. become more schooled In the ways of Under such circumstances, annexation politics but If they have shown any seems out of the question. It Is going tendency to be less partisan or broader to take generations to get them up to In their politics than men it is not yet the point where they can govern them- observable in this State. We do not selves. In the meantime it will take believe a body of men however partisan a large army and cost many lives and they might be could be got together millions in money to keep matters reg- in Utah who could have done anything ulated over there. If Uncle Sam is as unreasonable or silly, or unbecoming going into the missionary business, he themselvf as did that Womans will find plenty of work right at home. Club the other night. They But we have them on our hands now, passed resolutions asking Senator and have to do something with them. Cannon to resign an office, the term of Why would it not be a good plan to which expires by limitation in less arm them with rapid-fir- e guns and get than a month. They base these resoluthem to fighting among themselves, tions on rumors of immoral conduct with our Uncle Sam as referee, and on the part of the Senator which are let them fight to a finish, with a result not supported by a particle of evidence, similar to that of the famous Kilkenny and which were maliciously started cats? Or we might turn the whole when Mr. Cannon first became promibusiness over to a syndicate for, say, nent in politics, and have been repeated a hundred yeans, and put it under con- at eveiy campaign he has been intertract to manage the whole concern and ested in since. turn over what is left of the inhabThree years ago every one of those itants at the end of that time, civil- women enthusiastically supported Senized and ready for American citizen- ator Cannon. Now that he has parted company with them politically, and ship. However, this is a serious question for petty partisan reasons and for and should be considered on its merits, nothing else they revive those old apart from the future of any party or slanders and give publicity to unsupindividual. The question of expansion ported street rumors. And it is all is one that is bound soon to be a party done under the pretext of benefiting question, but every one should inform public morals. Such an exhibition of himself and choose to support that partisan malice is not a credit to the which seems best for the country, re- ladies or to their Club. Their resolutions can in no way affect Senator gardless' of any man or party. Cannon, while they may prove a bad That women have precedent, as there are others whom to vote the right and some headstrong member may in fuin public ture want to make the subject of participate affairs is a fully established fact in resolutions. The proper thing for that Utah. That they should have that Club to do, if looking to its own interright, if they wanted it, was never est, is to expunge the whole nasty questioned except by one man in this business from their records, and act State. He made a vigorous fight with a little more deliberation and against it and notwithstanding the fact with less patent malice in the future. that it was predicted at the time that A prominent theolohe was digging his political grave by gian of New York City so doing, he was elected to Congress this week startled some last fall and now an attempt is being of his reverend friends by declaring made to deny him his seat because it is claimed he has more than his share that saloons were a necessary evil and of wives. will exist until the people become more of thi 1 a-- self-governme- nt. ; He-public- an |