OCR Text |
Show OOVEKNOIt THOMAS' REPORT. The Times today prints in full the annual report of Governor Thomas, and it congratulates him upon the manifold evidences of material progress pro-gress made in the territory under his executive care. On reading his report the anomalous condition of Utah presents pre-sents itself anew. There never was a part of the union having a population of over 200,000, an assessed valuation of nearly one hundred and five millions mil-lions of dollars, and a revenue of live hundred and twenty-three thousand dollars in round figures, with the vast and varied resources capable of multiplying multi-plying these figures, in territorial organization orga-nization before. When compared with some of the newly admitted states, or with several states of any age.the superior super-ior claims of Uta h for statehood in all but her political condition will become boldly manifest. Of course we are in complete accord with the governor's recommendations regarding the matter of irrigation. It is indeed a momentous question not only in Utah but in all the western countries. So likewise is bis position regarding the outrageous and pestiferous pestifer-ous domand for the removal of the Ute Indians to the territory unassailable. unassaila-ble. And his reference, to the growth of the public school system, the prosperous pros-perous business condition and the spread of liberalism are gratifying in everyway.'' ' It is only when the governor touches upon the domain of politics that his calm mood forsakes him and he becomes partisan . Taki ng his own data for a basis and hU own statement to the effect that "the two most important cities in the territory, in point of population and wealth and educational and commercial commer-cial interests, are now controlled and governed by. the non-Mormons," that "much will depend upon the manner in which the Liberal party will administer the affairs of theso cities," and "that if they are wisely managed it will strengthen the party In other portions of the territory," for a text, we would ask the governor if in consideration of the fact that every ageucy is working, as he shows, in tho interest of a redemption redemp-tion of Utah, it. would not be wiser to allow the. Liberal, party to work out its own salvation. A host of Liberal voters oppose any attempt to disfranchise dis-franchise the Mormons. Since the decision de-cision of Judge Anderson in the celebrated cele-brated endowment house trial their main Bource of reinforcing their voters by importations from abroad is cut off, while the large and constantly increasing increas-ing influx of Liberal cili.ens is daily tending to overcome the Mormon majority. ma-jority. It is safe to say that unless dissensions dis-sensions occur within our ranks, the Utah delegate to congress in 1892 will be a Liberal, and then tho question of statehood will be speedily sottlcd. By forcing the issue on the lines of the Cullom or Struble bills we violate, in the opinion of some of tjie most judicious judic-ious of our citizens, a vital principle of self-government without gaining a corresponding cor-responding benefit. Before any laws could be passed and applied, Utah will be ripe anyway for a political change. The last two years have wrought wonders, won-ders, the next two will surpass them. The governor's report is the best proof and involuntary commentary upon the fairness of our position. |