Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-06-28
POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS

lHE Kaleidoscope career Of Gov
ernOr Arthur L. Thomas has been
occasionally referred to in these
columns. He assumes So many
/ phases in an official and semi-offi.
cial capacity that his transforma-
tons are necessarily a subject for
journalistic cognizance. As religio-
political missionary he presents now
and thena grOtesque spectacle.
Several years ago, while acting in
the capacity Of member of the Utah
Commission, he showed strong
symptoms OF Presbyterianism, as he
mixed that religion to some extent
in his politics. He drafted a report
Of the majority of the Commission
10 the Secretary Of the Interior. 1t
contained the usual anti mormon,
assault and recommendations. and To
give religious spice to the crusade
which has been religio-political for
may years-he adopted a set Of
resolutions passej by a conference
Of the denomination named held in
Sanpete. He thus placed the dual
character Of the crusade beyond
question, the evidence now consti-
tuting portion OF State paper.
Perhaps he occupied a similar DO
sition to that expressed by Mr.. J.R
Mcbride, who represented a part of
the political wing Of the anti-"Mor-
mon" crusade at a Methodist meet
ing held in this city on Sunday,
May eth, lSS2, when that gentleman
said that he felt himself to be ON that
particular occasion an excellent
Methodist. Perhaps for the special
occasion Of using the resolutions Of a |
religious denomination in a State |
document NJ. Thomas felt symp-
toms Of Presbyterianism.
But, alas, for the stability of men |
tof certain class! Now the
Governor exhibits strong symp-
toms Of Methodism. OF course
it may be but a religious cutaneeus
eruption, likely to pass off on the
patient swallowing a decoction pre-
pared by some other sect, but all
hat can be done is to take his pres
ant status, without any considera-
Ion Of future probabilities. The NJ.
L. Church Is now holding a confer
.nce in this city. At its session on
Wednesday, the Right Rev. Bishop
Governor Arthur L. Thomas was
1reseut, and delivered discourse.
He lifted up his voice and the
whites OF his eyes and, according to
he reported proceedings, said:
"He ought to feel at home among {
iethodist people. He spoke OF the {
Teat work which the church had car :
led on during the past century; and it I
ad been mighty factor in the work
I Christian civilization; that it had
-itnessed the settlement Of the coun-
y commencing on the Atlantic Coast
nd reaching TO the Pacific Coast: :
ow, in the heart Of the continent, il
as engaging in n contest which in i
olved the supremacy Of the law and Z
lie sanc;ity Of Christian civilization. 4
.e said the Methodist Church had o
cen a power for good in Utah; that it 4
as early in the fight, and would be b
.ere to stay. He hoped the confer "
Ice would express IN plain language n
; views regarding the Utah situation, n,
Id thus add TO its proud record o, :,
e past"
II the reader viii scan what
ishop Thomas said he will observe
at the speech was simply in the -
iture OF a tender 10 the brethren of :
chunk Of taffy on the end of a :
ne political stick. He was fire. -
lently "'appIauded, - showing that a.
e sugared lump tasted sweet, and =.
rucularly tickled the palate Of D
shop Ninde, who -
Arose and said that he was no; a hr
em6er Of the conference. nor did he q,
We aNote, but as the Governor had ~
ked Tor an expression Of opinion. he :.
'nted to say for one that he thought III
Mormon Church was the mos; N
church on the face Of the VI
nm; that the Methodist Church had Ia
ways been loyal to the Government. 81
d that in the contest in Utah Il lei
'ulc do Its duty toward the Govern. be
=nt."