The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1881-12-17
The Governor of Idaho on the Nor.
mon Situation.

Governor Neil of Idaho, now in New
yo,k. was interviewed Sunday by a Irlb-
,,ne reporter on the subject OF Mormon
ism. The former said: Mormonlsm IS
serious question ON the Pacific Soast' ana
the Morinons are making special efforts !"
control Territories outside OF Ctah, where
thry have complete mastery. II the press
~ he country would discuss the question
,horouuhly a sentiment would soon be ere
.ted that would compel Congress to act IN
the matter. Iwould also like to say that
d;v;sion ofparties in Utah is Mormon and
ort;. Mormon. There are no Republicans
NJ democrats known as such there, ana
t;rI a,nona the staunchest anti Mor,nons,
.m.l, as Judge Rosborough, Judge Souther-
land Col. Samuel Merritt and many other
rron,inent Democrats, all as hostile as any
Renublican to the prevailing system. 1t
= ,,art Of the plan of the Mormon Church
10 populatc surrounding Territories ana
States with Its adherents, with view oi
ultimately gaining control OF them, ana
then, by bargaining with either Oh uoe Po'
i;t;cal narties' to have the Territories ad-
,n;tted as States, thus obtaining the balance
of mower in Congress. In my opinion the
Mormon Church is more OF a political
,han a religious organization, and ! am
convinced that it is reasonable organiza'
t;on. Ibclieve that all members OF It VINO
,n through the Endowment House, take
m oath OF hostility to this Government
have myself heard reasonable doctrins
,,r.ached in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. II
NV ;udpmcnt It will be necessary, ulti
n,ately. to deal with the question from
This standpoint, unless Congress adout
Immediately very etfectual measures U
nrcvent the practice and spread If Polyga
my, for that is the corner stone OF u
Church. Polygamy gives all who join IN
society a community Of interest In Grim
and tHat. two, is why priests insist SO strcr
n,,slv on the practice Of polygamy. The
Lrow that interest in lime will strengthe
the Church, and make it better able to at
..onnlish its designs. Bear Lake count
IN Idaho is populated exclusively by MOI
,,,ons The last census gave It popui'
ton Of 4 700. Oneida County, having tn
. largest representation in the Ierritor
I.,;slaturc, is controlled by Mormon
Who have population Of about 1000 OF
"f a total of 100. In Cassia Count
thev have a number OF settlements AZ
arr. enable by throwing their votes i
those who are friendly to them 10 oeci.
the elections. The Territory has a p"pu'
tion uf about 10000, ana the Mormon
number nearly 10000. Mormont>m Is
posed to all our industries, particularly
mtn1N4, WHICH ~ tAN
the Pacific Slope. Ii the Mormons n
power they would not permit an ouh
Of ore to be mined; nor, indeed, WOW
tncv allow any person hostile to their
cu,iar institution to settle in their ma
am freq aen,lv asked how is 1t that III
free country like ttis the Mormon pr'e
hood exercise so complete control o'
the followers OF the church. 1t is easy
explanation. The Mormon commun'.,
largely made up of the most super>tltl'
class OF foreigners. When brought
America they are put on the cars ut \
York and taken a> rapidly as possible
Utah where they are placed safely IN "
mon hamlc,s They have seen notA
and.know nothing III American ideas
Institutions, and are permitted !" It
nothing OF them. They are visited ,
SANITY by Mormon priests. Their conc
j. watched and in fact there Is the "
complete system of espionage that CO
po.s;b, he devised 1t is not snrpr'>
then. tina. they submit willingly to
which :hcv are accustomed t" in the C