 |
| 45 Star Flag ~~ Utah Became A State |
STATEHOOD
Norma Smith Wanlass
Manti, UT 84642
Before admitting Utah to the Union, the United States Congress turned down six statehood petitions
from the territory, and the six petitions are only the efforts that got as far as Washington. For 45 years
Mormons deliberated, petitioned, politicked and intrigued almost constantly to achieve it.
Why should statehood be successful in 1895 and a failure in 1849, 1856, 1862, 1872, and 1887? The
answer, Polygamy.
1
If Congress had admitted the State as in the original petition almost all of Utah and Nevada, as well as
large parts of Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Oregon, were within the
boundaries of Deseret. It took Congress two years to decide what to do. When it finally acted, it rejected the
petition for statehood, instead creating the Territory of Utah.
As a Territory, the Mormon settlers were less
able to control their own affairs than they would have been as a state.
2
When the Mormons came to Utah it was still in Mexico, yet part of the problem was that the Mormons
had settled the land without authority of the United States government. They granted tracts to their members
to farm, and gave vast water and timber rights to their leaders to administer to the community. Because they
held their land without title from the United States, some gentiles claimed the property of their Mormon
neighbors. This resulted in court battles and street fights.
3
Women were given the right to vote in Utah in l870, the first in the nation to exercise that right. The
first votes cast by women in municipal elections in the United States were in Salt Lake City. In the EdmundsTucker Act of 1887, Congress revoked the right of women to vote—to reduce the political power of the
Mormons.
4
Stiff new penalties were prescribed for polygamy by the Edmunds Act, and co-habitation with more
than one wife was defined as a separate criminal offense.
Over 1200 persons were convicted and served time
in the territorial penitentiary.
The common law rule that a wife may not testify against her husband was declared inoperative in the
case of polygamous wives. Many went to jail for contempt when they refused to give evidence against their
husbands.
5
In 1887 Congress struck the final legislative blow with the Edmunds-Tucker Act. That law:
—Disincorporated the Mormon Church and the perpetual Emigration Company.
—Declared all church property in excess of $50,000 forfeit to the government, and gave the
courts power to ferret out actual holdings of the church, setting aside devices such as the "trustee in
trust."
—Abolished woman suffrage in Utah, disinherited children of polygamous marriages, and
required al] marriages be certified by the courts.
—Required an expurgatory oath of all prospective voters swearing they did not belong to or
support an organization which advocated polygamy. Thus, any Mormon would have to forswear
himself to vote.
6
After passage of this Act, the Mormons surrendered over $1 Million in property to the federal
government to facilitate a court test of the constitutionality of the legislation. Temple Square in Salt Lake City
was one of those forfeited properties. The church continued to occupy the block, but
paid rent to the government.
7
The Edmunds-Tucker Act was morally wrong when it took the franchise from women. Unjust as it was,
the provisions of the Constitutional Convention defining the qualifications for voting could not go into effect
until Utah became a state. This legislation was violently in opposition to the Constitution of the United States.
This act illegally confiscated the real estate property belonging to the church. Nine years passed before the
enormity of the crime was realized.
"Resolved, that all of the real estate now in the hands of the receiver of the 'late' Corporation of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and all the rents, issues and profits arising there from, are hereby
granted and conveyed to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." This resolution was approved by the
House, March 24, 1896, and signed by President Cleveland, March 28, 1896.
8
For 42 years Utah had been
called wicked. Now they were vindicated.
33
"Utah is a State"
The click of the telegraph instrument conveyed the news that the people had long been waiting for. At
9:03 A.M. in Utah, on Saturday, January 4, 1896, Utah assumed the robes of State sovereignty.
To other states, statehood came as a matter of course; to Utah it came as a sacred deed of trust put in
the hands of the people. The joy was too deep for any outward violent demonstration; but that did not
disguise from any looker-on the truth that the people were immensely, intensely moved.
9
MANTI, HOW WE CELEBRATED
January 6, 1896
Early on Monday morning the booming of cannons, ringing of cow bells and blowing of whistles
gratified the ear, or otherwise, with the noise. In every direction flags and bunting met the eye. Uncle Sam
paraded the street accompanied by as many noise-makers as could be raked together.
At 11 A.M. the citizens met at the Tabernacle and crowded it to its limits. The meeting was well
warmed up by the stove brought from the SPV round house.
—Call to order at 12 P.M. by Master of Ceremonies, Mayor Alder.
—Music - Double Mixed Quartette
—Invocation - Anthony W. Bessey
—Music - "America ", by school children.
—Address - Honorable C. P. Larsen
—Music - Guitar and Mandolin Club.
—Speech - Bishop Win. T. Reid.
—Song - by the Schools.
—Speech - Pres. J. B. Maiben
—Speech - Mrs. A. L. Cox
—Song - Misses Billings
—Speech - Mrs. Adelia Sidwell
—Speech - Bishop Hans Jensen
—Male Quartette.
—Speech - "Pioneers" , George P. Billings
—Speech - Daniel Henrie M.W.V.
—Music - Orchestra.
—Speech - Pres. J. D. T. McAllister.
—Music - Choir, Schools and Audience.
—Benediction - Rev. G. W. Martin.
The Program was carried out in a splendid manner. The speeches were good particularly that of
President Maiben. The singing was excellent and the double quartette was all right. There were too many
speeches which made the meeting too long, but we scarcely see how it could be shortened.
In the evening the dances were well attended, and a good time was spent by the participants.
Altogether the whole affair was a genuine success.
Eddie, son of Judge Cochran had his eyes filled with burnt powder and it was feared that his eyesight
would be permanently injured, but he is doing all right under Dr. Morrey's care.
One thing lacking about the decorations was a picture of President Cleveland. The committee secured
the services of Oliver Christiansen, to make one, but the work was not considered good enough and it was
reluctantly laid aside.
The Sentinel—January 8, 1896
34
GUNNISON
Inaugural Day at Gunnison was celebrated in a manner which will never be forgotten. The citizens
seemed to be out in masses to show their appreciation of the boon of Statehood.
Just before 11 o'clock on the morning of January 6, 1896, commenced the firing of artillery and ringing
of the bell while the brass band paraded the streets.
The people gathered at the R.S. Hall and soon filled the building to overflow. The hall was beautifully
decorated and the stores, as well as many residences were bedecked with bunting and flags. Large flags were
displayed over the R.S. Hall, Co-op, Presbyterian chapel, and premises of W.H. Gribble, Mrs. Julius Christensen
and Edmund Sandersen.
The city tendered free to the public, three dances that night. Each hall was thronged and merriment
reigned supreme. Last night the smaller children danced at Johnson's.
Gunnison is elated over the prospect of one of her citizens being entitled to the Salt Lake Herald's gold
and silver cup, as well as the honor attached if decided, that she has the first born son in the State of Utah.
Anton Jensen will send in a claim for the cup in behalf of a son, GROVER JAMES JENSEN, born on Saturday
morning, January 4, 1896, at 8 o'clock and ten minutes local standard time, just seven minutes after President
Cleveland signed a proclamation of statehood. Mr. Jensen is a Democrat and it is hoped he will be the winner.
Sentinel—January 8, 1896
It is noted that in the regular session of Manti Council Meeting held January 7, 1896, a bill was
submitted by Marshal Billings amounting to 25c for flags for decorating on State Day. Bill was allowed. Council
adjourned.
Signed—Ferdinand Alder
Mayor
JESSIE WINTCH JENSEN, of Manti, Utah, was nine years old when Utah was admitted to the sisterhood
of States. She remembers the gunners and their 45 salutes, the noise, the flag and bunting decorating the
Tabernacle and Main Street, the band, the choruses, and the speeches. One speaker explained what
statehood meant and this impressed her. It was a somber, joyful occasion.
Mrs. Jensen was the only person I found who remembered this historic day first hand. There were
several others whom I contacted—all in their nineties, but they had no remembrance of it.
Mrs. Jensen will be 96 years old on September 24, 1982. She has lived a good productive life, highly
esteemed by everyone. Her sense of humor is wonderful, and she considers it a great privilege to vote in all
elections. Just think, if you can, of all the changes during her life span.
Sources:
7Deseret, p. 198.
1History of Utah, Vol. I, p. 490, by Wayne Stout. 8 & 9 History of Utah, Vol. 2, p. 8 and Vol. 1, p. 519. By Wayne Stout.
2Deseret, p. 189.
3Deseret, pp. 189-191.
4Deseret, p. 191.
5Deseret, p. 196.
6Deseret, p. 197.
Meeting held in Social Hall July 8, 1877
