The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-02-24
MIR. John HENRY SMITH

Bennett for statehood He said he was a
Republican in politics. and a descendent Of
old Wing stock. He believed in the prin-
ciples of the Republican party and had
always advocated them. When the ques-
ton of division on party lines was pre-
sented before the people and they began to
take sides, he talked over the situation
with Judge Zane and Judge Bennett and
other gentlemen. He reviewed the history
of the positions of the two parties up to the
time the division occurred. He recited in
simple but graphic language the
MORMON MOVEMENT TO THE WEST;
the hardships they had encountered and
the necessity for strong central power,
such as was vested in Brigham Young.
He was here asked by Senator Platt
when the division between the two parties
occurred.
He replied that the division occurred in
May, and that the Peoples party was dis
solved by its officers leaving the members
free to go where they chose.
"Since then there has been no Peoples
partyl" said Chairman Platt.
No." was the reply. They divided
into Republicans and Democrats. There
is of course, with US as in other sections
of the country, body of people who have
not taken sides. But we are absorbing
them as fast as we can and we think we
shall succeed in getting them also to d.
vide"
"When the two parties divided some
time ago, was not there
A TACTIT UNDERSTANDING
that the question of statehood should not
be brought up9" asked Mr.. Platt.
eyes" replied Mr.. Smith, sit was so
tacitly understood"
"How, then," said Chairman Plat, ''do
you regard the Home Rule bill. Is it in
line with the spirit of that understanding? 3"
''No, it is not, but it was thought mas
much as the understanding had been vio-
lated by the Home Rule bill that it was
well for US to come forward for statehood"
Senator Faulkner then asked Mr. Smith
if he did not regard the Faulkner bill as
practical statehood. In answer to this
Mr.. Smith said that the Dill imposes on
the people all the burdens of statehood
without giving them all the privileges,
stating that the bill gave Utah no repre-
sentatIon in Congress nor in the electoral
college.
eff you cannot get statehood" said Sen
ator Faulkner, ''are you in favor of keep
ing your people under the present terri,
torial systemw
THAT is very direct question" re-
piled Mr. Smith. "But must say frankly
that prefer
TERRITORIAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT
to the Home Rule bill. 1 think people
who can get within the range of statehood
should get in full"
"Do you voice the sentiment of the Re-
publican party when you say that if you
cannot get statehood you prefer to remain
under the existing laws, including the
Utah commissioner
"Yes," said MIR. Smith.
"You are Mormon?' queried Senator
Plat.
Yes" was the reply.
care there Mormons IN both parties?"
"Yes, but the result of the recent cleo
tien showed that there were more in tn
Democratic than in the Repn blican party )
''Then you think until you can get state
hood it is better to leave things rs the,
are?n
Eyes, MIR. Chairman, do'' replied Mr.
Smith.
Senator Stewart then asked what effec
the existing laws have on iberating tn
Mormon people from the domination of tn
church politically.
The Mormons of Utah." replied MI
Smith, "are just as free to vote accordin
to their conscience as the people in an
other part of the country" And he pro
ceeded to cite some instances proving tina
fact. In answer to a question by Senate
Carey, he replied that he was one of tn
apostles of the Mormon church, and the
he has held that office since 1880.
', "Once an apostle, always an apostle?
: queried Senator Carey.
. Eyes" replied Smith, $50 long as on
behaves oneself"
Chairman Plstt asked him il he believe
;. polygamy was thing of the past, to whic
Mr.. Smith said: ~ do; and this is equal
> true of the remote regions as it is of th
= large cities"
"Do you keep the church entirely out
politics now2" asked Chairman Platt
EYES," he replied.
"Now, take the twelve apostles" said til
chairman, ''are they all Democrats br
youl"
e mo"
;, "How many?" asked Senator Care.
: "are openly affiliating with the Republica
5 party, and how many with the Democrat
d and how many with the Liberals?n
: "There are none who affiliate with tt
|. Liberals" said Mr.. Smith.
v give affiliate with the Republican part
Y at least three have had more or less to So
Y in favor of the Democracy, and sever
n others are out of the country. l do a
n know what their views are"
o eff all the people divided between Il
two parties, is there any reason why the
would not be entitled to statehood!n aske
Chairman Platt
y II see no reason" replied Smith, "wt
they should not have the same privileg
" that are accorded to other territories"
g In answer TO queries he went on to G
plain the district school system. He al
n spoke of local affairs and said that II
y Mormon people had 80 disintegrated tn
statehood might safely be allowed.
y Chairman Platt then asked: s'Suppo
n you had statehood, do you suppose Mo
ID monism would drop out of social and poll
10 cal affairs at once?'
E. Just as much as it would out of ar
other community. The Mormon people
u continued Mr.. Smith, ''are as independe
in action as any other people in the Unit
c. States, and no one can order them to
u things independent OF their judgment wi
any degree OF success"
y. "The Mormon church. asked Senat
Or Jones, "has not exercised any influence
the past and it cannot in the future!"
Mo- was the reply, "As 1 have g