The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-01-18
PLEADING FOR UTAH.
Delegate Caine Arguing for the Ad-
mission Of His Territory Before
q House Committee.
DUBOIS IN OPPOSITION.
Idaho's Delegate Asserts That to Make
Utah a State Would Only Result
In Perpetuatlng Priestiy and
Church Power.

WASHINGTON, Jan. l7.-Delegate CAine
was heard to-day In favor Of the admission
OF Utah As state. He declared Utah
possessed every requirement for admission,
and that the people are largely descendants
OF the best stock OF New England and the
Middle states. There was never any re-
slstance TO federal authority in Utah. and
moreover no thought OF II. IL was not true
that majority OF the people of Utah had
long deiied the authority ufithe United
States, as expressed In its statutes, by
practicing polygamy. The majority OF the
people OF Utah, or q majority OF the ma
jority, did not practice polygamy. The
opposition, he said. 10 Utah becoming
state Is fomented and kept alive by un-
scrupulous and ambitious men. lie
did not include among them the con-
servative gentiles who mind their own
business and are willing TO live and let
live. The motive OF the agitators In Utah
Ing In the minority they wanted the ma
jority prescribed. They steadily resisted
every attempt 10 bring about even business
relations with the minority. He described
the efforts Of the people OF Utah TO settle
forever the polygamy question, and pledged
his honor that the constitution they haa
formed was In good faith. lie maintained
there was no church domination In poll
tics, or anything else, as alleged. The re-
cent prosecutions were not for polygamy,
but for association with married wives
many years ago, In many cases the defend
ants voluntarily submitting 10 the law,
proving their acceptance OF the inevitable.
lie was frequently interrupted by Gov.
West and others and answered their ques-
tions promptly.
In concluding his argument he said the
attempt TO create the belief that priestly
Influence would nominate a state ticket,
and that the Mormon people were sub
jected 20 ecclesiastical tyrrany, was part OF
q shrewdly devised scheme. In conjunction
with the organized efforts 10 accomplish
the overthrow OF the majority and the eIeva-
ton TO power of the minority. The doctrines
OF the church proclaimed and insisted upon
the divorce OF civil and ecclesiastical power.
There was nowhere 70 be found body OF
people so generally Intelligent and well In
formed, whose natural tendency was indie
pendence OF Thought lie took up the pub
llshed statements OF Gov. West and said he
hoped the committee would not belle such
"twaddle.n What right had anybody TO
apply religious test 10 the people OF ter
ritory. seeking the privileges OF statehood
20 which they were entitled? They were
American citizens OF the United States,
had presented constitution republican In
form, prohibiting poIygamy and providing
penalties against trAnsgressions OF the
fundamental law and making . union Of
the church ana state impossible. Delegate
Dubois, Of Idaho, then addressed the COM
mittee In opposition TO admission.
He said statement had been made cal
culated 10 misleAd In regard 10 the senti-
mcnt cf communities adjacent 70 Utah. and
In compliance with the wishes OF his own
territory he desired 10 address the commit
tee. There were about 1.00u Mormons In
Idaho, and there was no difference be-
tween them and those In Utah. He dwelt
on the difficulty Of securing the conviction
OF Mormons, and what practical polygamy
there was In that part Of the territory In
which the M0rmons were settled. He said
his judgment WAS that one-third OF the adult
MoTmons In Idaho were In polygamic rela-
| tlons, and submitted q few remarks In re-
gard 10 the civil power Of the church. lie
said his territory was very much concerned
In the fate OF Utah. Statehood for Utah
would mean polygamy firmly entrenched
In conclusion he presented memorial OF
the Idaho legislature unanimously oppos
ing the admission Of Utah as state OF the
Union.