The 1912 Utah gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1912. Incumbent RepublicanWilliam Spry defeated Democratic nominee John Franklin Tolton with 38.17% of the vote against his 32.36% in a four way race, with Progressive nominee Nephi L. Morris winning 21.16% of the vote, and Socialist nominee Homer P. Burt winning 7.89% of the vote.
Background
In 1912, the Republican party had split between incumbent President William Taft and former president Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt and other progressive Republicans were dissatisfied with Taft and the conservative wing of the party, and Roosevelt challenged him for the nomination. Taft ultimately was given the nomination, resulting in Roosevelt forming his own party, the Progressive Party, or popularly known as the Bull Moose Party, in response.[1][2] The new party resulted in hundreds of local office seekers running as Progressives, including Nephi L. Morris for Utah's governor seat. The Socialist Party of America ran Homer P. Burt for governor, ultimately resulting in a four way race.
Republican Nomination
William Spry, the incumbent Republican governor, was re-nominated with no real opposition against him on September 5th, noticeably with no members of the "Federal Bunch," a group of powerful federal-level state Republicans, among the delegates. The Bunch effectively ousted previous governor John C. Cutler by removing their support for him, causing him to withdraw from the primary, and instead supported William Spry in 1908.[3][4][5]
Democratic Nomination
Democrats nominated John F. Tolton of Beaver. Considered a dark horse for the nomination, he was largely supported by southern county delegates. Will R. Wallace, while considered the lead contender for the nomination, dropped out before the delegates voted, leaving C. C. Richards and T. N. Talyor leading the first ballot. By the third ballot, however, southern county delegates had generated enough support for Tolton that he won on the fourth ballot with 379 delegates, and won the nomination with acclaim.
Progressive Nomination
The Progressives nominated business man, stake president, former Republican state legislator, and KSL radio speaker (nicked name "Air Morris") Nephi L. Morris for governor on September 13th.[6][7] Morris's name was constantly suggested and often talked about in progressive-Republican circles prior to the convention due to his public appearances, leading to Morris personally feeling like the nomination was thrust upon him, and he only accepted due to a sense of duty. [8][9][10][7]
Before the nominations began during the convention, party leaders debated whether to begin at all until expected guest Theodore Roosevelt, the "Bull Moose" himself, arrived, who ended up being two hours late. Debate continued until Judge Hiles, the permanent chairmen of the party, arrived, and the nominations took place after Hiles gave a speech. In his acceptance speech, Morris stated that he "could no longer conscientiously affiliate with the local or national Republican party because of its sins of omission and commission." After Morris and several other nominations were made, the delegates "grew restless" waiting for Roosevelt, and in the fear that he would leave town without seeing them, raced to the doors and to twenty-fifth street to great the former president. After the president arrived and was greeted, he gave a speech detailing the reasons for the Bull Moose Party, as well as denouncing big party bosses and "crooks." The delegates then had dinner and returned to finish the rest of the nomination process.[11][12]
Socialist Nomination
The Socialist Party of America nominated Homer P. Burt, member of the Stationary Engineers Union and the SPA's state party chair, for governor on July 24th.[13][14] According to delegates, the convention was "by far the most successful Utah socialists have ever held." It was reported that the SPA's organization in the state was in "far better shape" than ever before as well. Most delegates came from socialist dominated towns, such as "Murray, Eureka, Mammoth, Tintic, and other towns..."[15]
The Campaign
Republicans had so far won every gubernatorial election since Utah became a state in 1985, and had voted for the Republican presidential candidate every time except for the 1896 election, when federal Republicans were once seen as anti-Mormon and hostile to the popular idea of free silver. However, with the election of LDS apostleReed Smoot as a senator in 1902, a powerful Republican political machine spawned under him, with and other federal-level Republican's being named the "Federal Bunch" for their powerful positions and their influence in the state's party. Combined with creation of the anti-Mormon party in 1904, the American Party, Republicans quickly became the favorite for LDS members, and Democrats gradually lost power after 1900, and never regained state control going into 1912.[15] Republican's also enjoyed relative popularity in the state in 1912 due to a strong economy in farming and mining, and their position on protectionist tariffs[2]
Alongside the focus on national politics and the Republican split between the Progressives and the Conservatives in the party, the race centered on tariffs, progressive policies, LDS influence in state politics, and the candidate's personalities and background.
State Republicans praised Taft as the only logical candidate for Utah for his handling of tariffs and the prospering economy.[6] Spry repeated those claims and road the party's popularity. Like in 1908, Spry was presented as a level headed businessman and politically astute. Spry was criticized from Democrats and Progressives for allegations of misusing state funds, as well as colluding with railway companies, and using illegal voting procedures. Democrats ran stories in pro-democrat newspapers claiming that Republicans were committing voting fraud and using church influence to win the election. Republican's pushed back against the claims, while claiming Tolton and Morris were not fit for office.[11]
Tolton and state Democrats ran on the "inefficiency" of Taft, berated the state Republicans for their machine politics, pointed to the allegations of misused state funds, and advocated for better health, safety, and labor laws, as well as moving tariffs down.[13]
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