Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1884-05-24
MORMDN!SM IN POLITICS.

ton which the people Of Idaho are
called upon to solve is that Of the re-
|ation of the Mormon Church and its
adherents to the state. 1t is not that
they are soldy Democratic, for the
situation would.be exactly the same il
they were soliily Republican. 1t is
the fact that they are solid at all, and
throw their support to any proposition
which is favored by their head 1T Salt
Lake City, with the most absolute
unanimity. The danger to aud sub
version of republican institutions from
this condition of things has been so
frequently pointed out by this and
other journals as to require no .u.-
Their discussion or proof. The problem
presented is the proper manner OF
overcoming it. That it must be
met and this domestic enemy
of the principles Of good government
be made subscrvlent to citizens who
are free to think for themselves and
untrammeled by controlling influences
which would u.s. the law making 30 wer
Of the Territory for the Advancement
Of the interests of a small but grow
ing portion Of the Territorial conlmu-
nifty, every citizen of the Territory out
side Of the pale Of the Mor.non Church
ought to be made to understand, if he
does not already fully appreciate it
from his own observation and knowl-
edge OF tho situation.
In order to overcome the influence
OF this political-re'igious element there
must be a combination Of the other
political elements of the Territory
working harm onlously together. From
the fact that this Mormon element is
pronouncedly Democratic, the people
have little to hope from the Demo
cratic party. rs party,'ar deliyerance.
The Mormon vote is the controlling
vote in all Territorial conventions, and
no man, however popular or qualified,
can hope for the Democratic nomina-
ton for Delegate to Congress without
combating this vote, and there is but
one way to do it. There remains then
but Il reccurse to one of two things :
Either that Republican, should be
put before the people who would he
acceptable to anti Mormons of both
parties, or that the whole anti Mormon
element should combine in an arrange
ment to nominate and support some
trusted man regardless Of party al1ilia-
tons. Unless one or the other of
these propositions shall be carriedinto
effect it is extremely probable that the
next Delegate to Congress will be the
creature Of Mormoni,m OF all ques-
tions relating to that institution.
There are no questions of national IN
tcrest in which The people Of the Ter
rtories have voice, and there is ~
reason why good men of both parties
should be unwilling to draw the line
sharply and make the issue square and
plain.
This contest should not be confined
alone to the Congressional candidates
but should extend to the Legislative
ticket as we'll. 1t has been di!licul'
in the Legislative Assembly to accom-
plsh any beneficial results by rcaso:
of the fact that members from tn,
southern end Of the Territory, unite
in mutual cause, use their power "a
obstructionists to secure what they
want in the face of the best interest
CT the rest OF the Territory, or defca
the best prof |, is seldom tina
any proposed legislation meets tn
unanimous approval Of all classes
men differ honestly on any PROPOSE
zion; and the Mormon members hol
themselves in readiness to fall to eIthe
side, not from conviction but to defea
the project or compe! its projectors t
give something i'll return for thel
support or non-lnterference,
The means proposed will liberat
the Territory from this incubus an
open the doort changes AMI improv,
ments in its laws which would be c
great benefit and which can BE- passc
in no other way. If Alturas count
could have been secured Just repre-