New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-01
SHALL UTAH BE ADMITTED !
DEMOCRATS SCHEME AND "CoNCEDE"
VIEWS or THE IDAHO DELEGATE-A SIMPLE REM
EDY FOR GRAVE DISEASE.
fpr TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.

EDY FOR A GRAVE DISEASE
fBr TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Dec 31.-There Is so much IN
side" talk among Democratic leaders here respecI
ing the necessity in party sense. Of the admission
Of Dakota at the present session Of Congress- as
to create belief that the Administration has be-
gun to realize that the prospect that Cleveland
may be able to capture the electoral votes OF
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. or anv OF them,
will be slim indeed, unless the just demands OF
Dakota are satisfied. There is also so much
quiet Democratic talk in favor Of the admission
of Utah at the same time as to justify the sus-
picion that the twin legislation for the benefit OF
the Territories mentioned may be a part OF the
Democratic programme. OF course it is expected
that Dakota will be Republican and Utah Demo,
cratic. and it is argued that the Democrats VIII
lose nothing because the former can reap no al.
vantage on account of her vast preponderance OF
population until after the apportionment OF the
REPRESENTATIVES in Congress under the census OF
1890, wlic. can be prevented II necessary
until after the Preside .i,l election Of 1892.
An indication that the Democrats have such a
scheme in view may be found In the systema VIC
true intent and the real extent OF the Mormon
" concessions in the proposed Constitution OF
Utah. Even in Washington and among men VINO
have been in public life for years, there seems 70
he tendency to accept certain written pledges IN
n proposed Constitution as remedy which Is 10
extirpate the Mormon cancer. In view OF TINS con-
views of n delegate IN Congress who knows some
thing about the Mormon evil. Mr. Dubois, the
Delegate from Idaho who Is Yale gradnatef; r oe
1882 to 1886 was United States marshal. In re-
ply to a question as to what interest is taken ny
the people OF Idaho in the " Utah question Mr..
Dubois said:
From one-ffth to onc-sixth Of our population
is Mormon and in Southern Idaho four OF the conn,
convictions under the Edmunds act took place in
our Territory. As United States Marshal | was wa,
forced to take more or less prominent part ana
when ran for Congress made nv canvass ana Sc
cured my election on the great issue.
DEADLY UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE IN tab
THAT issue is simple one. simple that it
seems difficult to make the people of the East
comprehend it, 1t is merely the rigid enforcement
of existing laws, and the obtaining Of such amend
mcn.s rs shall divorce Church and State as Joint
elements in the conduct Of political institutions
thron ehont q large section Of the West. IL ought
TO he understood that the MormOns in Arizona.
Idaho Wyoming and Ncw-Meyico arc absolutely
controlled by the central church government at
Salt Lake. The hierarchy with its insldlous 20
litical power must he broken down in Utah be-
fore its pcrncious influence can be throtlcd IN the
Western Territories As long as Mormonism in
Utah can flourish. dcfring our laws and preaching
the destruction Of family relations all of l'tah's
ncighhors have close and vital interest III any
contest to abridGc its powers
OPEN DEFIANCE OF THE FEDERAL SYSTEM
But rs understand it. Mr.. Dubois. the new
Constitution for the proposed State of Utah eX-
prcssly prohibits polyeamy, and also prohibits any
change in the Constitution affecting the enactment
making il a crime p
81 have no time to enter into a protractcd ar
c1Irnent to prove the bad faith OF the Church IN
their plausible plea for admission It IS enough
to say that within a few mi nthS l have seen
twelve Mormons convicted by Federal jurles or
breaking the law against polygamy and dcfiantly
decline to accept pardon upon promises OF iuturc
obedience to the laws Of the United states. II
under Federal laws Federal courts and Federal
iurics. with Federal officials hunting down law
breakers they still defy the law, what can be eX
pectcd under Statehood with the Church supreme
the Monnons Mt once makng' interpreting
and enforcing the statutes? It Is
an absurdtv on its face What possible value can
the promises of such men have when the object OF
making them is simply to rid themselves of Federal
interference with what they operIy sc o ii
not obey the laws should not be allowed to par
ticipatc in making them"
DANGER To AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS.
"What is the situation you find it in WASH
ington?'
"One Of danger through ignorance The danger
lies in widespread misapprehension of the objects
and intentions Of the Mormon Church. | have
been constantly confronted since my arrival NJ
Washington with the remark from senators ana
REPRESENTATIVES that we must not thlnK OF au
hitting Utah until we amend the Constitution ~
a clause prohibiting polygamy In all the States
and Territories But polygamy Is not tne meep
American institutions. Polygany Is Simply u
surface eruption which indicates dcep,scated
disease of the system he Mormon Church Is an
excrcsccncc on the body polite. 1t consists of an
aggregation o. men, blindly swaycd by their SPIT
itual leaders, who openly defy the laws OF me
country whenever such laws come into conflict
with the orders of their spiritual supervisors, or
the pretcnde revelations of their prophets ~ IS
a community which openly denies the binding
force OF the Republican doc trne that the verdict
of the majority is the supreme law of the state.
or that the will Of the most Is better than the
wish of the least Their so-called religion teaches
them that higher and above all law
is the dication of the Apostles the orders OF their
Bishops, the directions, social and political OF
their spiritual leaders.
/" 1t teaches them. and here it touches American
instittiOnsin vital spot that the interpretation
Of the Church is superior to the interpretation OF
the courts Of the United States. and that the lrs
must -: regarded, whore the two conflict. through
disobedicncc of the latter. In such system there
is no place for American citizenship rs right
minded men understand il. In nv mnd. and in the
minds of all the lawabiding, educated and pro-
gressive men Of the West who are thrown in con
tact with this system. it. would he worse than sui.
cida to take Utah from its present condition or
Federal dependence and give it autonomy until an
overwhelming majority Of its legal electors are not
only avowedv supporters Of the law. but are them
selves honestly and cheerfulv DESTROYS Of maintain
ing both the spirit and the letter OF American Con-
situations"