pendent men from the Congress. The Chamber elected in November, 1896, was composed entirely of his creatures. Having assumed despotic power, Borda was held responsible by the people for all the evils that had befallen the country. A youth attempted to assassinate him in April. After the failure both of the military campaign and of the peace negotiations, which he had abruptly broken off out of sheer obstinacy and ill temper, there were many who were ready to kill him. The civil war was resumed vigorously in the interior by the Blancos, and the Government forces met with severe losses in sharp skirmishes fought on Aug. 21 and 22. Borda refused to send medical aid to the wounded because he did not wish the extent of the calamity to be known, for he had arranged an elaborate official celebration of the anniversary of national independence on Aug. 25, accompanied by a great military parade and costly operatic performances, although the Government was nine months in arrears in its payments. Borda laughed at the warnings of his friends, who told him that it would be dangerous to expose himself in public. When he issued from the cathedral after the official Te Deum and, accompanied by his ministers and followed by a train of diplomats and officers, passed through the plaza between the files of 4,000 soldiers, a respectable grocer's clerk stepped out from the crowd of spectators and with a revolver shot the President through the heart.

No disturbance of public order ensued. The Vice-President of the Republic, Juan L. Cuestas, at once assumed the presidency. He had been known as a decided partisan, and therefore anxiety was felt regarding the policy he would pursue toward the rebel Blancos. Moreover, it was feared that he would advance the candidacy of Dr. Julio Herrera y Obes, who had been President from 1890 to 1894 and had implanted the system of corrupt and arbitrary party rule that was the source of the national misfortunes. Señor Cuestas adopted a course that won the approbation of the commercial and foreign communities and relieved the popular tension of mind. He resumed negotiations with the rebels, and called an immediate extraordinary session of the Chambers. Confirming Gen. Perez as Minister of War, he announced the other Cabinet appointments on Aug. 29 as follows: Minister of Finance, Dr. Juan Campesteguy; Minister of Public Works, Eduardo Maccacheu; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mariano Ferreira; Minister of Public Works, Jacobo Varela. The rebels displayed extraordinary activity in extending the zone of their occupation. Although the Government was supposed to have 20,000 men in the field, Gen. Tajes, who had recently assumed command of operations, was unable to prevent the rebel groups from moving freely in all directions, even in the immediate vicinity of his headquarters at Nico Perez. They again appeared in the neighborhood of the capital. Their bands were augmented by fresh adherents wherever they appeared. Soldiers and policemen went over to them, taking Government arins and ammunition. Señor Ramirez, the official delegate of the Government, on Sept. 10, came to an agreement with the rebel leaders, who promised to cease hostilities if their party were confirmed in the control of six departments, and if the Government paid them an indemnity of 200.000 pesos, reinstated the army officers and administrative officials who had joined the revolution, and reformed the electoral laws and procedure, introducing the representation of minorities. The rebels threatened to attack the capital with an army of 5,000 men, when the Government accepted these terms after its generals had demonstrated their incapacity to suppress or even check the movement. The Cham

bers ratified these terms of peace, which did not even oblige the rebels to surrender their arms. From being little more than a name for a quarter of a century, the Blanco party became a strong factor in politics through the terms which it dictated to the Government without having won any signal battle. The craving of the country for tranquillity, the financial straits of the Government, which Borda had left with a deficit of 6,000,000 pesos, the stoppage of trade and of revenue receipts, and the imminent loss to the country of most of the wool crop and grain harvest if the rebellion continued, led the new President to accept the conditions demanded and the Chambers to ratify the peace convention unanimously. The local banks advanced 500,000 pesos to pay the indemnity and meet other pressing obligations.

An entirely new political situation arose out of the peace and the attitude assumed by acting President Cuestas toward Dr. Herrera, the Colorado candidate for the presidency, who had the unanimous support of Borda's Congress and a strong following in the army. Señor Cuestas himself was proclaimed a candidate for President by all political parties except the former adherents of Borda. Sustained by the moderate Colorados who had opposed Borda's methods and by the newly enfranchised Blancos, the President threatened to dissolve the Chambers and to mobilize the national guard in case the army should manifest a mutinous disposition. Meeting with opposition in the Cabinet, he appointed Dr. Salterain Minister of Foreign Affairs upon the resignation of Señor Ferreira on Dec. 2. The whole civil service was reformed with a view to economy, and a host of supernumerary officials were discharged. Several officials were arrested and prosecuted for malversation. On Nov. 18 an attempt was made to abduct and depose President Cuestas. In November Dr. Herrera and other leaders of the Opposition were arrested, and the ex-President, Gen. Tajes, Major Brian, and Dr. Aguirre were exiled by a decree of the President. On the next day a man attempted to kill President Cuestas with a knife. A Cabinet crisis was occasioned by the assumption of a dictatorship by the President, who on Dec. 22 appointed Gen. Gregorio Castro Minister of War and 'Dr. Mendoza Minister of Finance.

UTAH, a Western State, admitted to the Union Jan. 4, 1896: area, 84,970 square miles. The population in 1890 was 207,905; the estimated population in 1895 was 247.324. Capital, Salt Lake City,

Government.-The following were the State officers during the year: Governor, Heber M. Wells; Secretary of State, James T. Hammond: Treasurer, James Chipman; Auditor, Morgan Richards, Jr.; Attorney-General, A. C. Bishop: Superintendent of Public Instruction, John R. Park-all Republicans; Adjutant-General, John Q. Cannon; Coal-Mine Inspector, Thomas Lloyd, resigned, and succeeded in October by Gomer Thomas; Surveyor-General, G. W. Snow, succeeded in September by Jacob B. Blair; State Engineer, Willard Young; Fish and Game Warden, John Sharp; Fruit-Tree Inspector, H. J. Faust, Jr.; Regents of the University, Rebecca E. Little, James Sharp, T. R. Cutler; Board of Arbitration and Conciliation, John Nicholson, E. A. Wall, W. S. Willis; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Charles S. Zane; Associate Justices, George W. Bartch and J. A. Miner-Republicans; Clerk. L. P. Palmer.

Finances. The financial statement covering the first half of 1897 shows the following items: Amount of legislative appropriations, $987.777.76: warrants drawn to June 30, 1897, $257,992.58; unexpended balance of appropriations, $729,758.18;

balance in treasury, Dec. 31, 1896, $420,950.38; receipts from all sources, six months, $282,266.99; total, $703,217.37; less warrants paid, $637,366,86; balance on hand, June 30, 1897, $65,850.51; outstanding warrants, June 30, 1897, $149,118.91.

HEBER M. WELLS, GOVERNOR OF UTAH.

The total of the State's liabilities, including bonded debt and outstanding warrants, is $1,098,681.75. The current deficit appears to be $105,541.90. Compared with the same period of 1896, the current deficit in the State's financial affairs shows an improvement, being then $127,764.52.

The receipts of the office of the Secretary of State for the whole year were $31,612.67, of which $9,449.52 was from the tax on premiums of insurance companies.

The valuation of the State by the returns to the State board was $102,570.000. The Board of Equalization raised the assessment of Salt Lake County 5 per cent.

In a case involving the limit to the debts of counties, the Supreme Court held that, according to the law, each year's debts must be paid by each year's taxes and revenue, and that no debt or liability can be created except such as can be liquidated by the taxes and revenue of that year.

Education. The school population is 81,882, a gain of 2,489 over that of 1896. The amount for the first apportionment of 1898 on this basis will give $2.97 per capita. The schools of Salt Lake City show an enrollment of 10,719, and an average attendance of 9,397.

Provision was made for a branch normal school to accommodate the southern part of the State, and Cedar City, in Iron County, was selected as the site. The city is to have a building ready for the opening of the school in September, 1898, and meantime temporary quarters are furnished.

The State University granted the degree of B. A. to 2 graduates this year, and B. S. to 3. Certificates for the four years' normal course were granted to 21, and for the three years' course to 25.

The attendance at the Agricultural College for the year ending June 30 was 488, a slight falling off from the previous year, when it was 497.

There were 14 graduated with the degree of B. S., compared with 7 of the preceding year. Three graduated with certificates in a two years' course.

The receipts during the year were $22,000 from the State, $37,000 from the Federal Government, and $5,811 from other sources-a total of $64,811. The expenditures were $65,135.

Ground was broken May 4 for the new Brigham Young College building at Logan. The gymnasium and 6 class rooms were to be ready for use at the end of the year. At the nineteenth annual commencement, in June, 25 were graduated, and in October 250 were in attendance.

The School for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, at Ogden, sent out 2 graduates in June.

Insane Asylum.-The number of patients, Oct. 31, was about 254.

Militia. The National Guard was in camp at South Cottonwood, Salt Lake County, five days in September.

At a meeting of the Western Federation of Miners in May, the president, in his address, urged that members see that "ways and means are provided so that every member can be furnished with the latest improved rifle, which can be obtained from the factory at a nominal price." He added: "I entreat you to take action on this important question, so that in two years we can hear the inspiring music of the martial tread of 25,000 armed men in the ranks of labor"; and further said: "The constitution should be also amended, so as to declare all members of the National Guard ineligible to membership, and withhold our patronage and assistance from all companies and individuals or organizations where any member of the National Guard is employed or admitted to membership."

Railroads.-The sale of the Oregon Short Line and the Utah Northern under the consolidated mortgage of Aug. 1, 1889, was made Jan. 1, for $5,447,500. The Utah Southern was sold to the same bidders, representing the reorganization committee, for $763,000, and the Utah Southern Extension for $975,000. The separation of the firstnamed road from the Union Pacific and the establishment of the headquarters of the reorganized road at Salt Lake City means much for the prosperity of the State. In May an arrangement was entered into by this road and the Rio Grande Western, by which they were to combine on a division of through-freight rates on all business from the territory south of Ogden. Announcement was made that on June 1 the Ogden gateway would be opened to all connecting lines. It has been closed since 1891. This is a move of great importance in the matter of freight facilities, and will give the capital and the surrounding country the benefit of a great amount of through-passenger traffic between Denver and the Northwest.

Three short roads-the Salt Lake and Fort Douglas, the Salt Lake and Eastern, and the Utah Central-were bid off in May for $272,600.

Banks. The condition of the 11 national banks, as published Jan. 8, showed that since the previous report the average reserve held had decreased from 43 12 per cent. to 3764 per cent. Loans and discounts had increased from $2,461,804 to $2,573,598. The reserve had decreased from $1,618,383 to $1.403,376, of which gold holdings decreased from $699,262 to $686,376, and local resources decreased from $7.208,783 to $7,093,901. The deposits increased from $3,925,321 to $3,935,242.

In December the ex-president of the late American National Bank of Salt Lake was convicted of making false entries upon the books and false representations in a report to the Comptroller of the Treasury, having reported overdrafts amounting to $5,575.53, when they amounted to $14,497.82.

Products.-Notwithstanding increased activity in mining in certain portions of the State, there was a material falling off in the total value of the metals produced in 1897. This decrease is confined to silver and gold; in lead and copper there was a decided increase. The total value of the output of the four metals was $9,347,383 in 1896, and $8,263,685 in 1897.

The gilsonite deposits have attracted much attention of late. They cover considerable territory in the Uncompahgre reservation, extending into Colorado. The report of the United States Geological Survey says there are 7 distinct veins, which vary from 1 to 18 feet in thickness, and it is estimated that their total contents will amount to 23,744,528 tons.

The same report quotes the price of this material in Chicago at $40 to $50 a ton. It is a sort of asphaltum, and is described as a black, tarry-looking substance of most brilliant luster, normally of absolutely homogeneous texture and exceedingly brittle.

One of the uses of gilsonite is the manufacture of mineral paint. It is expected to afford complete protection to the bottoms of ships against animals, as it will make impossible the boring into them by the creatures that now cause so much expense for repairs. It is also an absolute nonconductor of electricity.

The figures for the wheat crop of 1896 gave that of Utah as valued at $1,906,552, representing 2,803,753 bushels, raised on 105,802 acres.

Indians and Public Lands.-A table of railroad lands patented during the year in the mountain States shows that the Central Pacific Company received patents for 285,858 acres in Utah, and the Union Pacific for 255,120 acres. Three coal land patents, embracing 355 acres in Utah, were issued. A schedule of vacant lands shows that Utah has 9,828,581 acres of surveyed land, and 34,366,489 acres unsurveyed.

By the bill passed by Congress in June, all lands on the Uncompahgre reservation will be thrown open for settlement except the mineral lands, the title to which will remain in the Government. This will go into effect April 1, 1898. Commissioners were appointed to allot lands in severalty to the Indians.

Several Ute Indians who were off their reservation with a large party, hunting game in northwestern Colorado, were killed Oct. 28, by game wardens. The number killed was 2, or 6, or 8, according to different reports, and some squaws were wounded. Much indignation was expressed at what was regarded as wanton killing, but an investigation which was ordered resulted in the vindication of the wardens.

Judicial Decision. In a case of the settlement of an estate, the Supreme Court decided in June against the law of 1896 regarding the right of children of polygamous marriages to inherit. The act giving such children the right to share in property left by their father was declared invalid, because in its passage the Legislature assumed to exercise judicial powers, and also becau e they assumed the right to require the courts to regard judgments as impeachable that were unimpeachable under the laws in force at the time they were rendered and by which vested rights were established and evidenced.

The Semicentennial.-The event of the year in the history of the State was the jubilee in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the entrance of the pioneers into the Salt Lake valley, July 24, 1847. An incident of the festivities was the presentation to the survivors of the 146 who entered at that time of gold badges, on which were por

traits of Brigham Young. The week of jubilee began July 20. The national colors were raised on Ensign Peak, on the spot where the first American flag was raised by the pioneers in 1847. Among the incidents of the celebration were religious exercises, addresses, and the reading of a prize poem by N. A. Sherman, the unveiling of a statue of Brigham Young, a parade of children, a cowboy tournament, and processions representing the history and progress of the State. Striking features of the processions were the Leadville drum corps, the marching Indians, 200 or 300 in number, a beautiful float representing the gulls and crickets, the handcart brigade, the first locomotive ever sent over the Union Pacific Railroad, the fire department, the first street car in Salt Lake, a silkworm float, a telephone float, and that with 27 girls representing the counties. In the pioneer parade on the last day were shown some of the wagons in which the first settlers arrived, and a representation of the original pioneer train as it first entered the valley. The 'old sow" cannon, which was brought across the plains, was in line. The pony express riders called forth great applause by their wild gallop through the streets accompanied by the firing of revolvers. A hall of relics was established, modeled after the Parthenon. The attendance of visitors was estimated at 60,000.

66

Political. At the Trans-Mississippi Congress in Salt Lake City, July 15, a resolution declaring for free and unlimited coinage of gold and silver at the ratio of 16 to 1, and without the co-operation of any foreign government, was adopted by a vote of 244 to 46. Resolutions were adopted also favoring the Nicaraguan Canal and Hawaiian annexation, and the following: "Resolved, That it is the sense of this Congress that the Pacific lines should be foreclosed as they become due, and that the Government should adopt such measures as will secure to the patrons of the Pacific Railway the use of said roads upon the payment of rates which yield a reasonable return upon the present value of the roads measured by the cost of reproduction."

Much comment was caused in October by a discourse of President Woodruff at a semiannual Church conference at Salt Lake City, in which he advised his hearers to lay aside party ties and vote together as Mormons. Following is the report, in part, from the "Deseret News":

your

“I prophesy, in the name of Israel's God, the day has come when the mouths of Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith and these twelve apostles, should not be closed because of the opinions of the children of men. There have been feelings that these men holding high positions-the twelve apostles and presidency-should say nothing about politics. I want to say to you here, the day has come when God Almighty requires at hands to unite together in your temporal business, and in your politics, so far as it is wisdom. I do not care whether a man is a Republican or a Democrat, in that he is free; but it is your duty to unite in electing good men to govern and control your cities, your local affairs, and I will state that when you do not do this you are losers of the blessings of Almighty God. My mouth shall not be closed upon these principles. I know it is the duty of the Latter-day Saints to unite together in your local affairs, the election of your city councils, the election of men to act for you in the affairs of State. I take the liberty as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of making these remarks. No matter what the feelings of men may be toward me, I shall not stay in this country very long. But I realize very well that this people are groaning under poverty, under affliction, under taxation, and in positions that they

ought not to be if they would only unite together and do their duty."

At the municipal election in November the candidate for mayor on the citizens' ticket was elected, while the Democrats carried most of the other offices. Their defeat on the vote for mayor was ascribed to Church influence. Democratic mayors were elected at Ogden, Mercur, Logan, and Eureka, and Republican at Provo and Brigham.

It appears that the women who were candidates for office in Salt Lake City were badly scratched by the woman voters. Miss Joanna Sprague, the candidate for recorder, was defeated by women, although a local paper says that practically every lawyer in the city supported her, because she had been a successful deputy in the district court clerk's office. She had no criticism to encounter from any source, and an informal canvass of the business district before the election justified the general belief that she would run ahead of her ticket. So also Mrs. La Barthe and Mrs. Bradley, who were nominated for the auditorship, although competent and experienced, were defeated by Mr. Swan, an independent candidate, through the votes of the

women.

The Trial of Moses Thatcher.-This was concluded in August. The trouble began soon after Mr. Thatcher accepted the Democratic nomination for United States Senator. This breach was widened during the campaign that followed, and culminated when the Church formulated the last manifesto and Mr. Thatcher refused to sign it. At the conference of the Church following this, Mr. Thatcher was suspended from the quorum of apostles, and a little later was deprived of that office.

In the last senatorial campaign, Mr. Thatcher was again a candidate for the United States Senate, and his public utterances, interviews, and letters gave offense to the Church authorities, so that finally he was placed on trial before the high council on a charge of apostasy. The decision of the State presidency was that the charges were sustained, but it was added that Mr. Thatcher might be restored to membership in the Church by making proper submission. He accepted the decision, signed the manifesto, and was retained in fellowship with the Church.

Legislative Session. The second session of the Legislature began Jan. 11 and ended March 16. Aquila Nebeker was chosen president of the Senate, and John N. Perkins Speaker of the House. There were 3 Republicans and 4 Populists in the Legislature, all the others being Democrats. Three of the members were women.

The contest over the election of a successor to United States Senator Arthur Brown lasted from Jan. 19 to Feb. 3. The Legislature was so overwhelmingly Democratic that no caucus was held. The leading candidates were Joseph L. Rawlins, Moses Thatcher, and Henry P. Henderson, all Democrats. The Republicans gave complimentary votes during the contest to Arthur Brown, Lafay ette Holbrook, G. M. Cannon, A. L. Thomas, C. C. Goodwin, Thomas Kearns, C. W. Bennett, E. B. Critchlow, and A. C. Bishop. The Populists named H. W. Lawrence, James Hogan, Mrs. La Barthe, Warren Foster, Mrs. Anderson, and Mrs. Cannon. Others voted for were . W. Powers, Fisher Harris, R. C. Chambers, and Aquila Nebeker. On the fiftythird ballot Joseph L Rawlins was elected, having 32 votes, the number necessary to a choice. Following is a description of the scene on Feb. 23, from the Salt Lake Herald": "No such spectacle was ever witnessed in any legislature in the Union as that which was presented in the Utah joint Assembly yesterday. No man was ever elected Senator amid such a storm of passion. Upon the floor of

the Assembly members boldly charged that their colleagues were the slaves of a priesthood; that they were voted like cattle, first for one candidate and then for another, all the time controlled by an unseen hand. And these charges, delivered with dramatic effect, drew forth great shouts of approval from the hundreds of Thatcher sympathizers who crowded the hall. The members thus accused uttered indignant and fiery protests against these charges, which were denounced as absolutely false. They were hissed and jeered by Thatcher sympathizers and cheered by anti-Thatcherites. The Mormon Church was bitterly assailed by Thatcher's followers, and defended by the opposition. For two hours the Assembly was tossed and swayed by the storm of excitement, and the final scene, ending in the announcement of Rawlins's election, was one of such wild frenzy, such dramatic, almost tragic, features, as to absolutely beggar description."

Resolutions were introduced in both houses calling for the appointment of a committee to investigate the alleged use of Church influence in the senatorial contest. They were amended so as to call for an investigation into all kinds of influence used during the contest, "ecclesiastical or otherwise," and an inquiry into the alleged fact whether or not any of the newspapers of Utah have been subsidized, assisted, bought, or purchased in the interest of any candidate for the United States Senate." The committee was to consist of the Governor, the Attorney-General, and the three justices of the Supreme Court. The resolutions were adopted by the House, but failed in the Senate by a vote of 5 to 11.

The first bill that became a law was an act “to provide for the formation of railroad corporations." The immediate object of the bill was to provide for the reorganization of the Oregon Short Line and Utah Northern Railway which was sold early in January.

Another bill affecting railroads provided for land grants to be made to them. It was passed over the veto of the Governor, who objected to the section providing that railroads may have a right of way over all State lands, including certain depot privileges every 10 miles, as unconstitutional, because he believed it would be a violation of the trust imposed by the Constitution to donate any part of the granted lands to any person or corporation.

The work of the Code Commission was adopted after changes, one of which was the rejection of a provision extending the operation of the eight-hour law to all employees of the State, and of all counties and municipal governments.

Some important laws in regard to the public lands were enacted. One provides for the construction of irrigation works by persons or corporations; it will enable the State to take advantage of the act of Congress granting 1,000,000 acres on condition of the establishment of irrigation works.

The office of State Engineer was created, with a salary of $1,000 and traveling expenses.

The Land Board is authorized to lease any State lands containing stone, coal, coal oil, gas, or any mineral, conditioned upon the payment to the State of a royalty upon the product.

A new mining law was vetoed, but was passed over the veto.

Another act provides for creating a reservoir land-grant fund.

A change was made in the form of ballots required by law, so as to simplify matters for voters. A State Board of Horticulture was created, to consist of three members to be appointed by the Governor, for the purpose of preventing the spread of pests that attack trees, bushes, and vines. The office of State Dairy and Food Commissioner was created. Another measure makes it unlawful to