Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-03
HITTING THE MoRMoNs HARD.
Governor Thomas Says the Rule OF
the Utah Polygamists IL not at an End.

HI sArs rHfy ARE GOVERNED 1T PRIESTS AND
PUT THE CHURCH BEFORE THE oouxrnr-rur
GOVERNOR FAvoRs ADDITIONAL LrarsIArrox
TO SUPPRESS PoLYoANL
The Mormon question is discussed az some
length by Arthur l. Thomas, the governor Of
Utah, In his annual report 10 Secretary Noble.
tie records the fact that the municipal election
in February last in Salt Lake City the liberal
ticket was elected by a majority OF sO7. and for
the hrst time in its history Salt Lake City
passed from under the Mormon control
The governor states that the two most
important cities in the the territory are nov
controlled aud governed by the Gentiles Tho
Mormon majority In the territory was 6. 100,
but IN nine counties il 10 stated there vas no
opposition and In nine other counties there
was only show Of opposition. In the four
counties carried by the Mormons their majority
was per cent OF the total VOTE In the twenty-
four counties carried by the Mormons their
majority was 81 per cent OF the total vote
The fact, in the opinion OF the governor,
emphasize the conclusions stated in
his last last annual report that zee
who were of the opinion that because of the
victories in Ogden City and in Salt Lake CITY
the Mormon rule was at an end in Utah we're
IN error; that il will be many years before the
Centiles will be in the majority. This con-
cluson. the governor states, he still adheres 90
q
rect unless Congress shall, by approximate
legislation. hasten the end
N sPEAKISG OF TIE MORMON PEOPLE
the governor asserts that they are governed by
the priests and that in every political and
business act the church is put first. the coun-
ry afterward. The population Of the terri
tory is estimated 20 be 900 1872 an increase Of
81 per cent during the past ten years. Tho
numbers OF the mormons are recruited
Immigration ssas. a
Scandinavian countries. The report saws that
the average numbe-of foreign born brought 20
the territory by the Mormons have been dur
ing the past nine years about 1900 annually
and that this average has probably been main.
tanned during the past year. The governor ass
serts that in regard to
POLITICAL AND OFFICIAL MoRMoSrsx.
il deals in evasions and meaningless words. or
words Of double meaning. hypocritical pre-
lenses and false assertions. Its attitude toward
polygamy is delusive in the last degree. II
knows that there has been no change on tho
SUBJECT, but IL 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 10
enter polygamy, and the nominal head of the
church has announced that polygamous marri-
ages do not now take place. The governor
adds, however. that when the attention Of the
head Of the church was called TO
NOTORIOUS CASE
uncovered in the first district court he dis
claimed any knowledge Of it. Admitting that
these statements, however, are literally true.
the governor says it does not prove that the
church has met the public sentiment Of the
nation as expressed in its laws nor does it
prove that the church is loyal to the law
There Is no reason TO believe the
governor asserts. that any earthly power can
exact from the church auy declaration opposed
TO polygamy. 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. that
their lives are directed by the Lord and that
the priesthood is the only authorized medium
TO reveal and declare the will OF the Lord and
obedience TO the priesthood is practically
obedience TO the Lord.
THE GOVERNOR FAyoRs THE EDMUNDs BILL
The governor recommends the passage Of the
bill reported in the Senate by Senator Edmunds,
which authorizes the governor to appoint GER
tain county officers and providing for a legis-
lative reapportionment. He states that il ia n
bill becomes a law il will place the control OF
twenty-five counties in the hands of men loysI
to the government lie also recommends the
passage Of either the Cunom bill or the Struble
bill