| Show THE UTAH NEWSPAPER HALL OF FAME tiated by his experience asCongressional assistant fought stubbornly to persuade his fellow citizens to adopt the national party system In May 1891 he was successful and the Republican party was organized Whereupon as its staunchest proponent he was sent to Washington to secure the blessing of the National Committee But before that happened the politically-astute journalist had made his first bid for statewide office opposing Joseph Rawlins for Territorial Delegate He lost and perhaps it was then that greatness eluded him for during his term Rawlins succeeded in moving through both the Senate and the House the legislation which would bring statehood to Utah Two years later the men were again opponents This time despite Rawlins success in his term he was defeated by Cannon The Standard was left under the editorial direction of Littlefield while its founder-publisher went to Washington Perhaps the character of the two men who sought the Delegate election in 1892 and again in 1894 is demonstrated by the fact that both later became Senators from Utah Rawlins defeat after hebeen instrumental in setting the stage for Utahstatehood was not accepted in good graces by the national Democratic party and there was understandable concern that the support the statehood issue had been given might be withdrawn before Utah could be admitted to the Union Itto Cannoncredit that he worked diligently to prevent suchbacklash and in the end the legislation passed with only minimal opposition Cannon also succeeded in curbing the vindictive StrubleCullom Bill which would have disenfranchised Mormons for their polygamous background And his eloquence before President Grover Cleveland helped avert passage of other harsh polygamy-inspired laws When statehood came to Utah the position of Territorial Delegate was liquidated So Frank Cannon became the last to hold that title as well as the first to be named Senator from the state of Utah His term began in 1896 William Glasmann another Hall of Fame member then became editor-manager of the Ogden Standard setting in 439 Digital image 2005 Marriott Library University of Utah Al rights reserved |
