, 1889-11-07
THE SCHOOL QUESTION,

~ ~ ''iioois Wv no icA's
In the course of his report upon public
and denominational schools in Utah the
governor says that while Utah has a
very fair system of public schools they
fall far short of what they should be.
Tax collections for the support of schools
do not pay the expense of maintaining
them, consequently pupils must pay tut
tion or the schools be closed. In many
poor districts children are denied school
privileges for many months OF the year.
There is but little prospect that this Will
be changed. am led to this conclusion
by the fact that more Mormon people
with entire unanimity are quietly pre-
pairing for UNCONVENTIONAL schools in
which their children may be taught
Mormon theology in addition
to the ordinary system. State or
county academies have been established
the school districts Mormon children
have been withdrawn from the public
schools and placed in church schools.
The governor quotes from letter
written by Wiliord Woodruff the presi-
dent of the Mormon church, urging the
establishment of church schools. Wood
ruff in the letter quoted, says; "Wc
feel the time has arrived when proper
-aduoation of our children should he
taken in hand by us as a peoplo.i Itclig,,
ious training, If practically excluded
from public schools, and tho perusal OF
books We value as divine records is for
bidden, our children IL left to the train.
ing they receive in these schools Will
grow up entirely ignorant of these prin-
ciples of salvation for which the latter
day saints made so many sacrifices. 10
permit this condition OF things to exist
among us would be criminal"
Romarking upon this letter the gov
ernor says 1t Is very plain that congress
should place control Of the public schools
in the hands Of those who are disposed
to be friendly to the public school sys'
TEN. During the last year, the gov
arnor SAYS, the people of Utah have en-
loved unusual prosperity, The Indians
in the northern part of the territory, ho
says, are contontel and give but llttl Q
cause of complaint. The governor,
however, strongly protests against re-
moval to Utah of the Utes now In
Southern Colorado merely to satisfy the
selfish demands OF people in another
state.
MORMONS AND GENTILES.
The apportionment Of 1887, under the
Edmunds.T Tucker act, was based on the
census of 1850. The governor asks now
apportionmert after next census. Speak
ing Ol Nitlllllt oliCllSt'i ~ VIZ 'Ni'A'''g
the govcrnor says the time may como
when the Gontiles will be in the majority
but it will lie many years hence
The facts are hat outside OF salt Lake
City tho gentle population is found II
mining camps and in smaller railront
towns. Near Salt Lake and Ogden they
own more than one-half of the real prop
erty. The great bulk OF the population
of Utah will always be In the valleys
Nearly all the land under cultivation
and the water that can he used to irri'
gate it without great expense, is owned
and appropriated by Mormons, and al
they hold and own land and water the,
hold and own Utah.
The governor writes at some length
upon the present attitude OF the Nor
mon people. They have accepted tn
doctrine of polygamy, he says and viii
probably adhere to it as long as the,
live. Firm religious enthusiasm is thei
leading characteristic, and as a Who'll
they are law abiding, but they accep
tho doctrine of plural marriage IN al
sincerity and as radical and necessar,
part of their religion.
1t may be as well to understand, con
tinues the governor, that the strength G
Mormonism in the masses and official
is in its sincerity and not in its impos
ture. A fair degree of sincerity is th
only virtue we can ascribe to the polit
icai and official Mormon. When II ha
q point to attain in behalf of Mormonisr
1t deals in evasions, meaningless words
words of double meaning, hypocritici
pretenses, false assertions and ever
helpful evasion Of word or act. Th
Mormon church. the governor say
actively engages in politics, and thc
adds: az don't hesitate to say that an
temporary policy which leaves I'll
church in position to control the ,polil
ical policy OF the territory is only delay
ing final settlement, and that futui
legislation should be aimed Mt the poli'
icai power of the church which has pee
the main pillar Of its strength In utan'