The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-22
MoRMoNIsM STRONGER THAN


euy-Congress VIII Do Nothing.
Chicago Tribunes Washington City Letter.
General Murray, former governor Of
Utah, and the dashing cavalry commander
under Sherman on his march to the sea, is
spending the winter in Washington. This
stalwart Kentucky Republican shows but
little trace of the many fights that he has
been through. He made the only real fight
that was ever made in Utah against the
Mormon church. In that office he sacri-
feed all his means and several years
of the most valuable period in
mans life in struggle with one
of the most powerful political and
financial organizations in the country.
Governor Murray says that the Mormon
church is stronger today than ever. This
is in marked contradiction to the current
sentiment on the subject. There is a vague
belief among the people who have given
the subject any attention that the Mormon
church had abandoned polygamy, and
that the Edmunds law had been able to
practically stamp out its last traces in the
territory of Utah. General Murray says
that polygamy tiourishcs today as it did in
the past. The law is evaded in every way.
Governor Murray says, however, that
polygamy is the smallest Objectionable fea-
ture of the Mormon church. He says that
the overshadowing feature of the Mormon
church is the fact that it inculcates the
doctrine of the supremacy of the church in
every walk of life to the government. 1t
is compact organization which is in con-
slant rebellion to the authorities. He does
not believe in disturbing anyzreligious or
ganization in worshipping ae 4l1g to its
honest belief. But when SUI LEI be-
comes the basis Of q gigantic |Al con-
spiracy he would so adjust I'll nistra-
ton of its affairs as to make o blitical
rebellion impotent. 49,
His remedy is very simpl1 wouid
have Legislative council apr by the
president Of the United ST r ~
council should be sent to u fe for
confirmation. All things wlt ted to
the administration of affair2 torri-
tory should be in the hands O. unciI.
He did not believe In hav5( b con.
nected with the administration 6f af.
fairs in the territory who believed that
any church authority was superior 70 that
lief should ever be allowed to hold
any kind of Office under the gov
eminent. He would have the Nor
mon delegate removed from the
floor of congress. He says that this exrer-
iment of governing territory by lclss-
lative council was originally tried in the
Territory of Louisiana when it was f1st
purchased from France. 1t was thoughS
at that time that the large foreign popular
ton could not be trusted with the admins
istration of its affairs. The same expert
mcnt was tried afterwards in the Territory
of Michigan. In the District Of Columbia,
for good and sufficient reasons, the local
legislature has been abolished with the Of
flee of delegate in congress. The change
has worked very well.
But there is no one in congress at pres
ent who appears to be actuated by any mo
tive beyond that of personal interest. The
Mormon lobby was never so strong a. y =
now. and so the settlement of the vexed
questions of Mormonism win probably b
postponed for some time.
Governor Murray thinks that in another
way the growing strength Of the Mormons
could be checked by an order at Castle
Garden. The Mormons who come over
are assisted cmigrants, and should not be
allowed to land. The authority to send
them back is in the existing law.