The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-12-13
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
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New York, IL. - Governor Neil, of
Idaho. now here, was interviewed, yes
terday, by Tribune reporter on the SUBJ
ject of Mormonism. The former said:
Mormonism is q serious questi on the
Pacific Coast, and the Mormens are
making special efforts to control the ter
ritories outside of q tab, where they have
already complete mastery. If the press
of the country would discuss the
question thoroughly, sentiment
would coon be created that would
compel Cone ress to act in the mat
ter. l should also like to say that
in the division of parties in Utah in SYM
pathy with Mormons and anti ormons,
there are no republicans or democrats
known az such there, and I find among
the staunchest anti-Mormons such men
as Judge Rosborouph, Judge Sutherland,
Col. Samuel Merritt and many other
prominent democrats, all as hostile as
any republican to the prevailing system.
1t Is part of the plan of the Mormon
church to populate the surrounding ter
rltories and states with its adherents,
with the view Of ultimately gaining po-
lltlcal control Of them, and then by bar
gaining with either of the political par
ties. TO have the territories admitted as
states, thus obtaining the balance of
power of Congress. In my opinion the
Mormon church is more of political
than religious organization, and am
convinced that it is reasonable
Organization; l believe all the members
of it who go through the Endowment
House take an oath of hostility to the
government. 1 have myself heard treA-
soDable doctrines preached in the Salt
Lake Tabernacle In my judgment, it
will be necessary ultimately to deal with
the question from this standpoint, unless
Congress adopts Immediately very effect
ual measures to prevent the practice and
spread of polygamy, for that is the cor
ner stone Of the church. Poygsmy
gives sll who Join the society community
of interest in crime, and that, to, is why
the priests insist so strenuously on the
practice of polygamy. They know that
interest in crime will strengthen the
church and make it better able to accom-
plish its designs. Bear Lake County, in
Idaho, Is populated exclusively by Nor
mons. The last census gave it pOpulA-
ton Of $500. Oneida County, having
| the largest representation in the terri
torlal legislature, is controlled by Nor
| mons, who have population of 1900
out OF total of 800. In Cossea County
they have mum Der of settlements and
are enabled, by throwing their votes for
those who are friendly to them, to decide
elections. The territory has population
OF about 10000, and Mormons number
nearly 10000.
Mormonism is opposed to all or in
dustrles, particularly to mining, which
is the greatest interest on the Pa cifc
Slope. II Mormons had tde power they
would not permit an ounce OF ore to be
mined; nor, indeed, would they allow
any person; hostile to their peculiar
! institations. 20 settle in their midst.
l am frequently asked how, in free
country like this, the Mormon priesthood
exercises so complete control over the
followers Of the church. It is easy of
| explanation The Mormon population is
made up of the lowest snd most super
! stitious classes of foreigners In their
own countries they were accustomed to
submit to priestly domination, or they
lived under despOtic governments " hen
! brought 10 America they sre Put on the
care st New York ard taken as rapidly
as possible to Utah, where they are placed
for settlement in exclusively Mormon
communities. They have seen nothing
and know nothing of American ideas
and institutions, and are permitted to
learn nothing of thsm. They are visited
censtaa;ly by Mormon priests; their
conduct is watched, and in fact, there is
the most complete system of espionage
that eoald possibly be devised. 1t is not
surprising then, that they submit will
liHgly to that which they are accustomed
to in ecu ltries from which they came;
and again, before they came here they
had netting probably which they could
call their own. After reaching here
and declaring their intention to become
eitizsns, they take up home on govern
nasDt land. In this respect, their condi-
ton is i !nitely better than before and
the No mon church receives, in the
miads Of thsse ignorant persons, all the
glory and credit for this improvement in
their affairs.