largely in debt, owing to the troubles incident to the confiscation of its
property by the government some time before. Now, because of the
improvement in the payment of tithes and offerings, the First Presidency
were able to pay some of the debts of the Church, and make arrangements for
the payment of others as they became due.

President Snow put new life into many departments of the Church. The School
system which the Church had established received much attention. The
Latter-day Saints' University at Salt Lake City was established, and one of
its buildings was erected. Many other Church buildings were planned and
begun.

At an election held in the fall of 1898, Brigham H. Roberts was elected to
represent Utah in Congress. At this election the people, as they had done
many times before, voted as either Democrats or Republicans, and both
"Mormons" and non-"Mormons" were elected to office. Now, however, some
anti-"Mormon" newspapers, assisted by many of the Utah sectarian preachers,
made a great stir. The enemies of the Saints continued to send a flood of
falsehood all over the country. Much excitement was worked up and a
determined effort was made to keep Utah's representative out of Congress.

Representative Roberts fought bravely for his own and his people's rights,
but once more hatred against "Mormonism" overcame better judgment, and he
was refused admission to the seat to which he was fairly elected, on the
ground that he had obeyed the law of plural marriage.

August 19, 1899, the Utah volunteers returned from the Philippines where
they had proved themselves valiant soldiers in the service of their
country. A grand celebration was held in Salt Lake City in their honor.