The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-04
MORMON DECEIT.
How the Influence Of the Church
Is Maintained.
Report Of Governor Thomas Of Utah TO Sec
retary Noble.
The Passage Of the Edmunds and Either the
Cull0m or the Sirable Bill Recon-
mended-GrOss Frauds.
Special to THE MORNING CALI.

WASHINGTON, Oct 8. = The Mormon
question is discussed at great length by Ar
thur L.. Thomas, Governor of Utah, in his
annual report to Secretary Noble. He re-
cords the fact that at the municipal cleo
ton in February last in Salt Lake City the
Liberal ticket was elected by majority of
S07 and for the first time in its history Salt
Lake City passed from under Mormon con-
troll The Governor states that two of the
most important cities in the Territory are
now controlled and governed by Gentiles.
The Mormon majority in the Territory was
$3.50, but in nine counties it is stated there
was no Liberal opposition, and in nine
other counties there was only show Of
opposition.
In four counties carried by the Mormons
their majority was 8 per cent of the total
vote. In twenty-four counties carried by
the Mormons their majority was 80 pr cent
of the total vote. This fact, in the opinion
of the Governor, emphasizes the conclusions
stated in his last annual report, that those
who were Of the opinion that because of the
victories in Ogden City and in Salt Lake
City Mormon rule was at an end in Utah,
were in error; that it will be many years be-
fore the Genties will be in the majority
He asserts that the Mormon people are gov
erned by their priests, and that in every po-
litical and business act the church is put
first and the county afterward. The popu-
lati0n of the Territory is estimated at 220,9 1852,
an increase of % per cent during the past
ten years. The M0rmons are recruited by
immigration from Great Britain and the
Scandinavian countries The average num-
Der Of foreign born brought to the Territory
by the Mormons during the past nine years
is about 1900 annually, and this average has
probably been maintained during the past
year. The Governor says in political and
official life Mormonism deals in evasionS and
meaningless words or words of double mean
ing, hypocritcal pretensi0ns and false as
sertiOns. Its attitude toward pOlygamy is
delusive in the last degree. 1t knows there
has been no change on the subject, but seeks
to convey the impression that there has been.
Prominent church officials, the Governor
states, have declared that the church does
not now grant permits to enter polygamy,
and the nominal head of the church has an
nounced that poygamous marriages do not
take place. The Governor adds, however.
that when the attention of the head of the
church was called to the notorious case that
was uncovered in the First District Court,
he disclaimed any knowledge of it. Adj
mlttlng that these statements, however, are
literally true, the Governor says that il does
not prove that the church has met the public
sentiment of the nation as expressed in its
laws, ner does it prove the church is loyal
10 the law.
There is no reason to believe, the Cover
nor asserts, that any earthly power can
exact from the church any declaration
opposed 10 pGlygamy. He accounts for the
hold which Mormonism has upon the people.
by the fact that they are taught to keep
aloof from influences outside of the church.
The Cover or recommends the passage of
the bill reported in the Senate by Edmunds,
which authorizes the Governor TO appoint
certain county officers, and providing Tor
Legislative reappOrtionment. He states that
if thi, bill becomes a law it will place the
control of the twenty-five counties in the
hands of men loyal to the Government. He
also recommends the passage of either the
Cuilom bill or the Struble bill.