Arizona republican., 1890-07-28


 This law was in operation for several years and worked well, as the Boards were always composed of loyal Ameri- can citizens. But all this has been changed under the influence of Demo- cratic rule.
 The Mormons, to secure the repeal of this and other laws, in the fall of 1886, made combination with the Demo- cratic party in the Territory, and it re- suited in the election of NJ. A. Smith as Delegate to Congress and of Demo- cratic Legislature. This Legislature the Fourteenth-paid the political debt of the party by repeating the school laws and the Stover law disfranchising the Mormons. Upon the Democratic party must be placed the undesirable responsibility of throwing our public schools into the arms of the most un- American and disloyal organization which disgraces our civilization. As a result Mormon districts elect Mormon trustees who under the direction of the church choose Mormons for teachers.
 But Mormons will answer: "We don't teach any religious doctrines in the schools-the law prohibits it." In answer to which we ask: Why then do you allow only Mormon teachers in your midst? Why are you not Americans enough to act as Americans do throughout the United States? The truth is that you fear the light of American education, American civilization. You know that if "Gentile" teachers educate your children Mormon ism is doomed. It cannot stand the teachings of loyalty to the government. Ignorance of the outside world and its progress is your only safeguard. Give me the education of the children and care not who makes our laws" This is the utterance of Mormon preacher and confirms the statement that if the child ren of Mormons are taught by Mormons then the next generation will be more devoted to the church than the present, and the principles of contempt for our laws will be thoroughly impregnated.
 Evidences of the thorough unfitness of Mormons to teach in the schools can be found in abundance. The teachings of this church tend to the utter destruction of delicacy of feeling and high stand ard of morality and unless man is re- fined and possesses the instincts of a gentleman he should not be allowed to teach.
 Thousands of dollars of school money is expended yearly in Arizona, and a large part of it goes to the Mormons. One-tenth of every dollar paid Mormon teachers goes direct into the tithing house. One-hali of the balance is turned over to the church and produce given in exchange for it. Otherwise one of the leading Mormons, former county official and teacher of Apache county tells what is not the truth. When asked once why the Mormons would not allow a Gentle to teach in Amity, he replied; 'If we have Mormon then the church gets one-half of the money in cash and the teacher takes grain in ex- change, besides we get one-tenth in cash for rithes."
 Under these circumstances is it any wonder that vigorous efforts are made to elect Superintendents of schools and thus secure the disbursement of school funds? As has been said, in ignorance rests the success of this hierarchy. A young Mormon of standing in the church was asked why the Mormons did not commingle with other citizens, and why they built around themselves a Chinese wall of prejudice. His reply was: 'Ii we allow this wall of preju- dice to be removed and the mem- bers of the church to asso- ciate with the outside population, we would at the same time do away with two-thirds of the Mormons."
 The people of Arizona and particu- larly the Republican party, must awaken to a full realization of this blot on Ari zona's escutcheon. The same danger exists here that exists in Utah. The Mormon church dictates in politics and wins. Polygamy is encouraged and prac- ticed, and the public schools are taught by the Saints. Can our condition be any worse? As loyal citizens we must demand of Congress the same laws for Arizona that prevail in Utah, for in some counties of this Territory the Nor mons are in power and will so remain nntil radical measures are adopted which will take from them the ballot. This is the only solution of the problem.