The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-08-16
MoRMoNs VOTING IN IDAHO.

1t has come to be pretty generally
understood throughout Idaho that th'
Mormon citizens Of that Territory vii
vote at the coming general and Delegate
election III November. That is to say
it is understood that those Mormon'
who were not disfranchised by the Ed
munds law for otfenses committed, will
offsr their votes. 1t is also accepted
that they will vote as they always have
done, for the Democratic ticket. This
latter fact has aroused very pronounced
opposition on the part of the Republi-
cans, and their newspaper organs in
our neighbor dependency are getting to
be fairly beside themselves in their
rage. Some of the editors openly de-
clare that the Mormons will not be per
mitted to vote. 1t is also observed
that certain oficious if not official Re-
publicans are urging through the press
the registrars to refuse to register Nor
mons. 1t is argued, orrather urged, by
these gentlemen, that the test oath
church from exercising the rights of
electors. One gentleman who for years
has figured somewhat prominently
in Idaho politics, asserts over his own
signature, that the only way by which
the Mormons in that Territory can be
re-enfranchised is by public ''recsn-
tation" on the part of the church lat
Salt Lake in that great tabernacle" 1t
is said that attempts to register and
vote will be attended by arrests and
prosecutions, and above all that the
votes will not be accepted, the regis
trars and election judges being selected
and designated with the view to their
hatred of the Mormons and their de-
termination to prevent the latter from
exercising the right of suffrage at all
hazards.
Now, 1t occurs to THE HERALD that
al this buster and all these threats are
idle vaporings. The question Is not
one of sentiment; it is not matter of
opinion nor of individual or party
wish. It is simply and wholly ques-
ton of law, and as such whatever
disputes may arise in connection
with it must be decided by the courts,
and not by every Tom, Dick or Harry
who may bob up with an opinion.
The Idaho Legislature passed law
I prescribing the qualifications of voter s.
A portion of the law was IN harmony
with the Federal law bearing the name
of Senator E imunds, while in another
place the act went on to prescribe
religious test oath. The Mormons
who comprise large percentage of the
population OF southern and sou theast-
ern Idaho, protested against the statute
4 es unconstitutional and against the
lawful power of the Legislature
81 10 make such a law. They re-
fused to subscribe to the oath, and
J. thus lost their votes; meantime carry.
4 ing the matter into the courts. A few
months ago the Territorial Supreme
Court handed down an opinion sustain
'sing the constitutionality of the act, and
<4thus ended discussion of the matter so
sIfar as the courts of the Territory are
sconcerned. All must swallow the
oath, whether or not they rel
Esh it, or they cannot exercise the
franchise. This applies equally to
IL ormons, Jews and Gentiles, to
Democrats and Republicans. And as
We understand it, as all who are fair
minded must understand it, the sub
e clibing to the oath, the citizen possess
rg the qualifications of a voter, gives
! he individual the right to vote, in
pite of his political or religious
nemies. If the man shall swear
alsely, if he shall swear that he is what |
is not, or that he is not |
hat he is, there is way tc
! ;aeh him through a prosecution for
sriury; and if he, by means of his
Use swearing, shall vote, doubtless the
v provides for his severe punishment.
1T the law cannot be ma Q to go
rther than its own provisions allow
to proceed. In this instance it can
made to 90 to the length of requiring
man to swear that he is not biga
,st or a polygamist, that he is not a
ember of any order, sect, organiza
IN or association which teaches.
{ vises. counsels or encourages It's
embers, devotees or other persons to
mint the crime of bigamy or polyg
AZ, or any other crime defined ~
asa duty arising or resulting from
an bership IN such organization; or
,ich practices bigamy or poIyGamy or
.rol mr. celestial marriage as aoc-
al rite; furthermore, that he does
either publicly or privately, or in
manner whatever, teach, advise,
,nsel or encourage any person 10
onit sny of the crimes named; that
regards the Constitution of the
ted States and the laws thereof, and
- sfa.l tssr