The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-01-21
POLITICS IN IDAHO.

THE HERALD has heretofore noted the
changed attitude of the Republican bosses
of Idaho towards the Mormons of that
state, and remarked that appearances indi-
Gated an attempted deal. The tone OF the
Republican press up there has lately
undergone q remarkable change when
speaking of Mormons. Only little while
ago a Republican who spoke well of a
member of the Mormon church not only
jeopardiZed his standing in the party, but
his standing in society as well,
and the editor who could say
the meanest things about the Saints
was most popular and influential in his
party. The change which has come over
the bosses and their organs within the past
few months is most marked. Evidences of
this change are seen on every hand, the
most noticeable, perhaps, being the dis
missal the other day of about hundred in
| dictments found against Mormons for al
legged illegal registration and voting. The
man who would have suggested this year
ago would have been denounced as trail
tor Now the act is approved by the Off
Gals and the party press, and it has been
limited that even Senator DUBOIS de-
sired the dismissals. The Boise Dsmo-
crat sheds some light upon what
is going on up there in the following edit
orial paragraph
The citizen of Idaho who cannot discern that
the Republican journals and politicians are
trimming in reference to the Mormons and their
| expected vote must indeed be dull OF compre-
hension. The Republican who would repeat
what he said two years ago about that sect
would be read out of the party. The whole
pack of them, with FREMONT WOOD in the lead
would be after his scalp.
1t is pretty generally conceded that the
test oath law which enlarged upon the
provision in the constitution DISTINGUISHING
members of the Mormon church will not
stand the test of judicial soupdness, the
general belief being that Mormon residents
who are otherwise qualified will soon be
admitted to the polls. This being the
case, it is easy enough to understand
why such intensely fanatic Mormon haters
as Senator DUBOIS and District Attorney
WooD should now be counting the Saints
whom they DISTINGUISHED few years ago
on the ostensible ground that the Mormons
believed in polygamy but really because
the majority of the Saints were Democrats
in politics. An important election is COM
ing on and there is such general discomfort
in the Republican ranks that the bosses
feel that they will be made to walk the
plank unless they can obtain assistance
from an outside source.
THE HERALD hopes it is mistaken in its
suggestions herein. but the signs are sc
plain that it does not seem possible for one
to mistake them. A very few months
will determine just how close to the mark
we are hitting. Meanwhile, we are con
fdent the schemes, like those of mice, will
come to naught. The Idaho Mormons, we
take it, who are Democrats are SO from
principle, and not from expectancy. They
have suffered disfran chisement and denia
of their rights all these years on account O.
their political faith, and they are not likely
, to purchase the freedom which will Ger
tainly come soon, with their honor and a
the expense of their principles and profes
sions. They are not made of that kind o
, material, and the play for their supper
:, which the Republicans are making is al
insult to the honor and integrity ant
honesty VI every D6uOCFdIlC N1OrmOn II
the state. The HERALD will be mucl
mistaken if the Mormon Democrats O
Idaho, upon the recovery of their rights a
citizens, do not all stand firmly by the pc
. litical principles which they espoused an,
. upheld before they were driven from tn
polls by one of the most infamous law
ever placed in the books.
Idaho is debatable ground in politics thi
year, without the Mormon vote. The Re
= publican rule has been SO incompetent an
= so full of iobbery that the party is divide
! into factions, while the Democracy ar
united as never before and determined t
;, rescue the state from the hands of tn
!, spectators and bosses who have been rur
: ming the machine without regard to tn
: rights of the people. An interesting COZ
=. test is to be fought this year, and we cor
: fidently count upon the outcome being
:, favor of the Democracy and right. Thi
:. will certainly be the result if the Mormon
. recover their citizenship, as we expect the
. will.