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 County results Cutler: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Moyle: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Utah | ||||||
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Ballot measures
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The1904 Utah gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1904.Republican nomineeJohn Christopher Cutler defeatedDemocratic nomineeJames Moyle with 49.97% of the vote.
Persuaded against running for a senate seat bystate Republican Party leadership, incumbent governorHeber Wells decided to run for a third term as governor. However, a party revolt had spawned against him by a group called the "Federal Bunch." The Bunch was powerful group of Republicans, named as such because of patronage appointments many of them received, who were led by Utah SenatorReed Smoot, elected by the Utah legislature in 1902.John C. Cutler, a Salt Lake County Clerk and an officer of several banks and companies, was part of this group, and won their backing to challenge Wells in the primary.[1] The party split into Cutler and Wells camps, and on the first convention ballot on August 25, Cutler secured 214 delegates compared to Wells's 196.[2] A third candidate, James T. Hammond, had won 52 delegates, but then withdrew his name in support for Wells. Nevertheless, several of Hammonds delegates went to Cutler, pushing him over the needed 231 with 239, to Wells's 221 delegates, making him the nominee.[3]
In theDemocratic convention,James Moyle, who ran for governor at the top of the ticket in1900 and lost, was seen as the unmistakable favorite, and won the first ballot with 393 delegates.[4]
A new anti-Mormon political party formed in September 1904, created from angryThomas Kerns supporters afterReed Smoot convinced theUtah legislature to oust him as senator in favor ofGeorge Sutherland.[5] With a main policy of eliminatingLDS influence in Utah politics, the new party ranWilliam M. Ferry Jr, aCivil War veteran and a local politician inMichigan and Utah, for governor.[6][7]
As in the previous gubernatorial election, the race centered on policies regarding tariffs, trusts, international politics, and labor, but LDS influence in state politics also took center stage.
On labor,Cutler was routinely criticized for allegations of employing women and children in "sweatshops" that were part of his businesses, something which he denied.[8][9][10] Republicans defended their position on labor by stating that Cutler was a friend of labor, and that they were the only ones that passed legislation that hurttrusts.[10][11]
As the United States formally took control of thePanama Canal in 1903, state Republicans praisedRoosevelt's actions, as well asUS rule in the Philippines.[11][12]
Both parties praised previous governorHeber Wells. The Ogden Morning Examiner reported that Democratic congressional candidate Orlando W. Powers gave a tribute to the former governor at a rally, saying "He paid a fine tribute to the present Republican governor, Heber M. Well, but spoke disparagingly of the present nominee, John C. Cutler."[13] However, Wells actively campaigned on behalf of Cutler and the state Republican party, despite being out voted in the primary. At a rally, Wells commended Cutler, saying "I shall feel it an honor to leave such a man as my successor. He will make you a good governor. He is a level headed business man and will give you a business like administration of state affairs."[11]
State Republicans benefited from the strain ofanti-Mormonism generated from anger at Republican SenatorSmoot, and refuted claims that non-Mormons had been discriminated against.[14] One claimed LDSBishop even told Mormon Democrats to vote for Cutler, saying "If you vote for Brother Cutler.. you are carrying out the wishes of God revealed by wireless telegraphy toPresident Smith and down the line by way of Brother Smoot, BrotherSpry and Bishop Winker, direct to you. Thus you get your politics straight from heaven without any trouble of thinking it out for yourself. Could anything be easier than that?"[15] The state Democrats, on the other hand, ran on a planform of "political peace in Utah," and often accused the state Republican party ofmudslinging regarding religious prejustice.[16][17] Moyle himself commented during a speech on the "lies" and "discord" Republicans made.[18]
State Republicans closed off their campaign at theSalt Lake Theater, with a large crowd in attendance. However, it was noted that Cutler or any other state candidate was not mentioned, with the speeches focused on praising theRoosevelt administration.[19] Democrats closed their campaign inPark City at the Dewey Theater, were Moyle received praise from speaker Zach Lamar Cobb ofTexas.[20]
Cutler would go onto win the election with nearly 50% of the vote, compared to Moyle's 37.40% of the vote.American Party candidate William Ferry would take 7.82%. Cutler's victory would be 2 points less than Wells's victory in 1900, however, Moyle underperformed compared to his run in 1900, down 10.5 points from 48%. Cutler's victory would actually be on the low end compared to other Republican's in the state, such asPresident Roosevelt's win with 61.41%, and Attorney General Breeden, who was the leader on the Republican ticket beside judges and the president. So, while Moyle underperformed compared to his last election, he still lead the highest percentage for any other democrats on the ticket, including presidential nomineeAlton B. Parker, who only won 32.86% of thevote.[21]
Major party candidates
Other candidates
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Christopher Cutler | 50,837 | 49.97% | ||
| Democratic | James Moyle | 38,047 | 37.40% | ||
| Independent | William Montague Ferry Jr. | 7,959 | 7.82% | ||
| Socialist | Joseph A. Kauffman | 4,892 | 4.81% | ||
| Majority | 12,790 | ||||
| Turnout | |||||
| Republicanhold | Swing | ||||
Cutler's first term would see legislation and passed that founded Utah'sjuvenile court system, promoted investment in local industry, and established a registration of births and deaths by the state. He also advocated for the construction of acapital building, but the legislature refused to appropriate funds for the project. The legislature would also deny Cutler's request for an institution to care forhandicapped individuals.[23] Cutler would run for another term, but after losing support fromReed Smoot and the "Federal Bunch," he would decided to drop out and endorseWilliam Spry, chairman of the Republican State Committee in 1904, and a former member of theUtah House of Representatives, in fears of splitting the party.[24][23][25][26]
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