Series 234
Governor Spry Official documents and addresses
Dates: i 1909-1914.
0.20 cubic foot and 1 microfilm reel
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
This series consists of a typed and bound collection of Governor William Spry's proclamations, messages, and speeches. The volume is entitled "Official Documents and Addresses of William Spry, Governor of Utah, Vol. I, 1909-1911" and was presented to the Archives by James Wrathall Spry of Menlo Park, California. The volume documents both official and private acts during Governor Spry's administration. There are two sections in the book: One covers Spry's official acts as governor during his first term (1909-1911) and the other his talks to assorted civic groups during both his first and second terms (1909-1914).
The first section of the book contains copies of the governor's messages to the legislature, legislative correspondence, proclamations, and reward offers. Messages to the legislature detail the state of the government, usually providing a department by department synopsis, and itemize the types of legislation the governor would like to see considered. The correspondenceconsists largely of letters to the legislature and secretary of state noting the governor's passage or veto of various bills. In addition, the correspondence includes letters to the senate requesting their advice and consent on appointments of public officials. The governor also appointed some state officials, as well as delegates to conferences, by proclamation. Proclamations were also issued to create various commissions, to create public holidays, and to identify corporations that had defaulted on taxes. Periodically the governor would offer rewards for the apprehension and conviction of criminals, usually murderers.
The last quarter of the book is devoted to talks given to various groups. They include a speech given on Sanpete County Founder's Day; a promotional speech published in the Herald Republican; speeches to school teachers on their role in education; and speeches to students, particularly commencement addresses. The governor also spoke at professional conferences, namelythe American Mining Congress and the Western and National Governors' Conferences where his preferred topics were conservation and state control of natural resources.
Images Available
This series is available on microfilm.
Access Restrictions
This series is designated as Public.
Reproduction and Use
These records are available for reproduction and use.
Related Records
Messages to the legislature from the Governor (2021- : Cox), Series 182, contains copies of these messages.
Journals from the Legislature. Senate, Series 409, contain copies of the governor's messages and letters to the legislature.
Working bills from the Legislature. Senate, Series 428, includes much of the original correspondence and veto messages on bills.
Working bills from the Legislature. House of Representatives, Series 432, includes much of the original correspondence and veto messages on bills.
Journals from the Legislature. House of Representatives, Series 456, contain copies of the governor's messages and letters to the legislature.
Personal correspondence from the Governor Dern, Series 2930, mentions trips and talks to groups, including some where the copy of the speech is provided here.
Legislative bills from the Lieutenant Governor, Series 4076, includes much of the original correspondence and veto messages on the final version of the bills passed by the legislature.
Governors' executive orders and proclamations from the Lieutenant Governor, Series 85039, contains copies of some of these proclamations.
Indexing Terms
Governors--Powers and duties--Utah.
Corporations--Taxation--Utah.
Executive power--Utah.
Legislation--Utah.
Criminals--Utah.
Education--Utah--Philosophy.
Conservation of natural resources--Utah.
Utah--Officials and employees--Selection and appointment.
Utah--Politics and government--History.
| REEL | BOX | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | 1 | 1909 - 1914 |