Frank J. Cannon
| Frank J. Cannon | |
|---|---|
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United States Senator from Utah |
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In office January 22, 1896 – March 4, 1899 |
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| Preceded by | (None) |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Kearns |
| Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from Utah Territory's at-large congressional district | |
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In office March 4, 1895 – January 4, 1896 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph L. Rawlins |
| Succeeded by |
Clarence Emir Allen (As U.S. Representative) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Frank Jenne Cannon January 25, 1859 Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory |
| Died | July 25, 1933 (aged 74) Denver, Colorado |
| Political party |
Silver Republican Party Republican (previously) |
| Spouse(s) | Martha Brown (d.1909) May Brown (m.1909) |
| Children | Frank Olive Dorothy |
| Alma mater | University of Deseret |
Frank Jenne Cannon (January 25, 1859 – July 25, 1933) was the first United States Senator from Utah, who served from 1896 to 1899.
Born in Salt Lake City, he was the eldest child of Sarah Jenne Cannon and George Q. Cannon. His father was an Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and later was a member of its First Presidency. After attending the school in Salt Lake City, he studied at University of Deseret, graduating at the age of 19. He would marry Martha Brown of Ogden in 1878.
In 1891 he helped to organize the Utah Republican Party. After a failed bid to become Delegate from the Utah Territory, he succeeded and served from March 4, 1895 to January 4, 1896. Cannon was chosen in the latter year to serve as Senator by the Utah Legislature in spite of LDS church leadership favoring his father for the job. He served in the United States Senate, initially, as a member of the Republican Party; however, he later became a member of the Silver Republican Party founded by his successor (and future employer at the Salt Lake Tribune) Thomas Kearns.
Cannon lost re-election in 1899. Utah's state legislators indicated they would not support Cannon for reelection shortly after the November 1898 elections. Cannon had voted against the Dingley Act, which would have raised tariffs on sugar and helped the Utah sugar industry. The Dingley bill was strongly supported by the LDS Church hierarchy, who now opposed his reelection. Other factors were his support for Free Silver; rumors about immoral acts he may have committed while living in Washington, D.C.; and that the Utah legislature was controlled by Democrats.Alfred W. McCune, one of Salt Lake City's most prominent businessmen, sought and won the backing of the LDS Church in his bid for the seat. But the legislature quickly deadlocked over the election. One-hundred and twenty-one ballots were cast, and no winner emerged. On February 18, a state representative accused McCune of trying to buy his vote. A seven-member legislative voted 7-to-2 to absolve McCune of the charge, and although ballotting resumed on March 8 McCune still lacked enough votes to win office (he had only 25 votes). The legislature adjourned without having chosen a senator,
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