1912 Utah gubernatorial election

none related races 1912 United States gubernatorial elections January 2025 September 2023 1912 Utah gubernatorial election Utah 1903 Presidential no 1908 Utah gubernatorial election 1908 1916 Utah gubernatorial election 1916 November 5, 1912 William Spry (cropped).jpg William Spry Republican Party (United States) 42,552 38.17% File:JohnFranklinTolton.png John Franklin Tolton Democratic Party (United States) 36,076 32.36% File:NephiLowellMorris.png Nephi L. Morris Progressive 23,590 21.16% File:HomerPBurt.png Homer P. Burt Socialist Party of America 8,797 7.89% 1912 Utah gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 230px County results Spry: #FFC8CD 30–40% #FFB2B2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Tolton: #BDD3FF 30–40% #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% Morris: #C7FFAF 30–40% Governor William Spry Republican Party (United States) William Spry Republican Party (United States) The 1912 Utah gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1912. Incumbent Republican William 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.Third-Party Reformers https://dp.la/exhibitions/outsiders-president-elections/third-party-reform/roosevelt-progressive-party 2024-08-16 Digital Public Library of America enButton, Theodore Roosevelt, 1912 https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_1830004 2024-08-16 americanhistory.si.edu en 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 5, 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.Salt Lake Telegram 1912-08-31 Page 3 Republicans in Primaries Indorse Spry https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s66m4f48/18077307 2024-08-17 newspapers.lib.utah.edu enSalt Lake Tribune 1912-08-31 Page 1 Governor Spry Now Certain for Renomination https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6f490dq/14404953 2024-08-17 newspapers.lib.utah.edu enJul 22, 1908, page 8 - The Salt Lake Tribune at Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/image/76393716 2024-08-17 Newspapers.com en 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 13.Nephi L. Morris papers - Archives West https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv77902 2024-08-17 archiveswest.orbiscascade.orgSalt Lake Tribune 1912-09-13 Page 14 Bull Moose Hold Convention Today https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6sj2wvw/14353661 2024-08-17 newspapers.lib.utah.edu en 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.Salt Lake Herald-Republican 1912-08-30 Page 2 Nephi Morris Mentioned https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6hh7qxs/10064751 2024-08-17 newspapers.lib.utah.edu enSalt Lake Tribune 1912-08-29 Page 12 Enthusiastic Crowd Listens to Johnson https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6mp6dhz/14311154 2024-08-17 newspapers.lib.utah.edu enSalt Lake Herald-Republican 1912-10-31 Page 12 Only Sense of Duty Prompted Morris to Accept Nomination https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6wd55cm/10079181 2024-08-17 newspapers.lib.utah.edu en 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.Ogden Evening Standard 1912-09-14 Page 1 Nephi L. Morris for Governor https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s65d9tk5/6223345 2024-08-17 newspapers.lib.utah.edu enSalt Lake Tribune 1912-09-14 Page 1 Utah Delegates to Chicago Hit by Roosevelt https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6ms544c/14452746 2024-08-17 newspapers.lib.utah.edu en 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 24.Salt Lake Telegram 1911-07-25 Page 3 Socialist Party Candidates to be Subject to Recall https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6tx7hkr/19048700 2024-08-17 newspapers.lib.utah.edu en 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..."Ogden Evening Standard 1912-07-26 Page 6 Socialists' Ticket Named https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s62j7dmb/6227422 2024-08-17 newspapers.lib.utah.edu en Campaign Republicans had so far won every gubernatorial election since Utah became a state in 1895, 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 apostle Reed 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. 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 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. 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. 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. General election Candidates Major party candidates William Spry, Republican John Franklin Tolton, Democratic Other candidates Nephi L. Morris, Progressive Homer P. Burt, Socialist E. A. Battell, Socialist Labor Results 1912 Utah gubernatorial electionUtah State Archives, Abstract of the Returns of an Election held in the State of Utah, Tuesday, November 5th, A.D. 1912 for Presidential Electors, for Representatives in the Sixty-third Congress of the United States, for State Officers, and for District Officers in Districts comprising more than one county, and for the Adoption of Rejection of Proposed Amendments to the Constitution of this State.Tingey Charles S. Report of the Secretary of State 1911-1912 1913 Tribune-Reporter Printing Company Salt Lake City 176-177 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3456082&view=1up&seq=182 29 December 2025Official State Vote for President, Congressmen, and Governor https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn86091022/1912-12-05/ed-1/?sp=7 29 December 2025 The Eastern Utah Advocate 5 December 1912 Price 7Sample Ballot https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn85058246/1912-10-29/ed-1/?sp=7 29 December 2025 The Logan Republican 29 October 1912 Logan 7 Republican Party (United States) William Spry (incumbent) 42,552 38.17% -0.61% Democratic Party (United States) John Franklin Tolton 36,076 32.36% -14.95% Bull Moose Party Progressive Nephi L. Morris 23,590 21.16% Socialist Party of America Homer P. Burt 8,797 7.89% +4.23% Socialist Labor Party of America E. A. Battell 479 0.43% 111,494 100.00% 6,476 5.81% Republican Party (United States) -2.72% Results by county County William SpryRepublican John Franklin ToltonDemcoratic Nephi L. MorrisProgressive Homer P. BurtSocialist E. A. BattellSocialist Labor Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % # % # %Beaver43225.53%99058.51%18510.93%844.96%10.06%-558-32.98%1,692Box Elder1,40434.90%1,37134.08%1,19029.58%581.44%00.00%330.82%4,023Cache2,84938.35%3,15842.51%1,27517.16%1291.74%180.24%-309-4.16%7,429Carbon86240.58%44621.00%47122.18%33815.91%70.33%391"SpryMorris" Spry's margin over Morris18.41%2,124Davis1.28243.98%1.13538.94%47716.36%200.69%10.03%1475.04%2,915Emery85942.36%75937.43%22411.05%1818.93%50.25%1004.93%2,028Garfield59655.86%33931.77%10710.03%232.16%20.19%25724.09%1,067Grand23641.19%21437.35%8615.01%376.46%00.00%223.84%573Iron65647.47%60543.78%372.68%836.01%10.07%513.69%1,382Juab1,16835.59%97029.56%33010.05%80324.47%110.34%1986.03%3,282Kane39569.54%16128.35%71.23%50.88%00.00%23441.20%568Millard84737.17%1,08447.56%24910.93%964.21%30.13%-237-10.40%2,279Morgan32337.47%21825.29%27832.25%434.99%00.00%45"SpryMorris"5.22%862Piute17534.18%14929.10%11322.07%7514.65%00.00%265.08%512Rich32648.30%24536.30%9914.67%50.74%00.00%8112.00%675Salt Lake13,59237.65%9,74627.00%8,65723.98%3,80810.55%2940.81%3,84610.65%36,097San Juan15541.11%16443.50%5514.59%30.80%00.00%-9-2.39%377Sanpete2,31239.21%2,03234.46%1,38023.40%1642.78%90.15%2804.75%5,897Sevier1,35140.03%90226.73%85825.42%2587.67%50.15%44913.30%3,375Summit1,32845.87%95733.06%39113.51%2157.43%40.14%37112.82%2,895Tooele1,00647.14%61929.01%22410.50%27712.98%80.37%38718.13%2,134Uintah54728.58%56429.47%64433.65%1578.20%20.10%-80Morris's margin over Tolton-4.18%1,914Utah4,17035.80%4,37437.55%2,44120.96%6355.45%270.23%-204-1.75%11,647Wasatch1,25244.12%92432.56%37313.14%2819.90%80.28%32811.56%2,838Washington73945.48%83351.26%472.89%50.31%10.06%-94-5.78%1,625Wayne26649.17%20036.97%224.07%539.80%00.00%6612.20%541Weber3,42431.87%2,91727.15%3,37031.37%9608.94%720.67%54"SpryMorris"0.50%10,743Total42,55238.17%36,07632.36%23,59021.16%8,7977.89%2640.43%6,4765.81%111,494 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Grand Juab Summit Wasatch Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Beaver Cache Millard San Juan Counties that flipped from Democratic to Progressive Uintah Notes References 1912 Utah Gubernatorial