The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-04-03
IDAHO'S CLAIM.
A Strong Plea for Admission
to Statehood.
The Question Of Polygamy Ably Handled
by Delegate Dubois.
he Strongly Defends the Clause In The
Constitution DepriVing Offenders Of
Political Privileges.
Special by the California Associated Press.

WASHINGTON, April 2-The House spent
the greater portion Of the day in the con-
sideration OF the bill for the admission of
Idaho as State. Delegate Dubois of
Idaho occupied an hour or moro in an able
speech. He began by asking Congress TO
divest 'its mind Of all prejudice for or
against Idaho, and TO consider Idaho's
claims as presented, regardless of the claims
about the Territory, and that no partisan
consideration enter into the judgment of
the members. He paid glowing tribute to
the resources and greatness of Idaho, quot
ing statistics at length to substantiate its
claims for admission as State.
Referring TO polygamy, he said: mo
crime can be greater in my estimation than
to bring children into the world with this
brand upon them, without ability to furnish
sufficient nouriShment for their bodies and
none for their minds; but, with all its
hideousness, polygamy Is not what impelS
the fercely partisan eX-Confederate Demo-
crat from Tennessee and the unyielding ex-
Union Representative from Illinois to
range themselves under the same banner in
opposition to this so-called church so soon
as they come in contact with it, No
matter how different the methods of the
ex-Confederate and the eX-Unionist
each is loyal to his Government, Jealous of
Its fame and power, and their differences
melt away as snow before our Chinook
winds when the startling truth quickly and
inevitably dawns upon them that here is an
organization, Grmly entrenched, which is
hostile to the Government and its law in
every fiber; Il at here is a Government
within our Government in which priests are
supreme and their followers slaves; they
quickly recognize that there is but one law,
that of theocracy; they feel instinctively, it
is in the very air, that they are dealing with
an organized community which has not one
element of democracy in it.
There is absolutely no difference OF
opinion and all who live among those peo-
pie are irresistiby led to the same con-
clusion. They all know that every priv
ilege that is granted this community they
use, not as other citizens, to build up aud
strengthen the nation, but to destroy it.
These facts are patent aud you must deal
with them as statesmen and not as part-
sans. All high civil and ecclesiastical
offices were formerly lodged in the hands of
the polygamists. The polygamists cannot
hold office now, but they control the politics
of the organization as firmly as of old, and
still retain the chief offices of the church..
They are dlctators. When you break down
polygamy the institution will crumble to
pieces. When you break down the political
power of the Institution, whic h is the main
source OF strength too, polygamy will
perish.
in this connection l call your attention
to the very significant fact that the polyga-
nous M0rmons are the ones who repre-
sented their church here and opposed the
constitution, they are the ones who are
vitality interested. 1t is not matter of such
deep concern by far to the homogeneous
Mormons. The effect of this legislation in
Idaho has been extremely good, and If we
are admitted as State with this clause in
our constitution, the homogeneous Mormons,
who compose u large majority of the organ
iZation. as they persistently state, will de-
mand either that polygamy be abandoned
us the foundation stone of the institution,
or the homogeneous Mormons will abandon
the church. The monOgamstS will not con-
sent TO be deprived of their political privi-
leges In order to maintain the doctrine of
poygamy which they themselves do not
practice. Either of these courses will be
fatal to the polygamists, who now, as always,
absolutely rule the church.
When polygamy is abandoned their
members VIII commence to think for them
selves; they will refuse to be governed in
all their temporal affairs by their leaders !;
they will divide on political lines and will
become the same as the members of any
other church organization. When the
monogamistS leave the church and re-
polygamsts Will occupy the position of
ordinary criminals and will quickly meet
the fate Of other criminals
Il will close this branch OF the subject by
saying 20 you, gentlemen Of Congress, and
of the country, that the issue is closely
joined here. If you are in earnest in your
desire to crush this corrupt institution,
which has been disgrace and stain upon
our national honor for half a century, the
opportunity is offered. The lhead of the
church in Idaho comes here in person to
tell you SO. The results of this clause
in our legislative enactment convinces ME
of it. On one hand is CONNER
cial and political organization. held to-
gether by crime. On the other hand
your own kindred, as brave and loyal peo-
pie as ever founded State. VIII you sus-
tain this reasonable and lasciyious institu-
tlon or will you hold up the hands of the
brave pioneers who have gone 10 Idaho !;
who on this proposition have abandoned
all party ties and who unite in saying, we
earnestly desire Statehood, but we desire it
only for loyal American citizens? Give us
Statehood under our Constitution and the
Mormon question will soon be an issue of
the past The responsibility is no longer
with us. We have done our full duty as
American citizens"