The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-09-07
THE ANTI-cArHoLro SECRET ORDER.

The exposure of Tx secret society in
this city, which was first made in The
HERALD. has raised considerable con-
troversy in reference TO the anti-Catholic
character of the organization. It is
claimed by its enemies that its purpose is
to prevent Catholics not only from hold
ing Office under this government, but also
from obtaining employment in any
capacity It is denied by its friends that
it has any such purposes in view, but
that it is branch of an association num-
bering about two millions, who are
opposed to Catholicism in principle, and
viii not admit Catholic into their order,
but that it has no political significance
and makes no war upon Catholics as citi-
zens or upon their political rights and
privileges.
The facts appear to be that the
order is primarily branch of the
A. P. A. or American Protective Asso-
citation, and that secondarily it has
local bearing and Specification. At
first, Mormons as well as Catholics
were barred from membership. Entire
separation of Church and State is a
fundamental principle In the order, ana
the exclusion of Mormons was predicated
on the idea that they associated religion
with politics too closely. Subsequently
that was dissipated and Mormons were
made eligible. 1t does not appear that
many, if any IF that denomination, have
become members of the ''Western
Star.
The question is, how much political in
fluence is sought to be exercised by this
association? That there is a political
significance in its organization appears
evident in spite of denials. 1t may not
be as bitter and pronounced as is charged,
but that in other places the intent of the
order has been to prevent Catholics from
obtaining office appears pretty evident.
1t vii! doubtless be remembered that a
delegation from the A. P. A. at Kansas
City called on Governor STONE sometime
ago and met with vigorous rebuff. The
particulars were published at the time,
and we here reproduce report of the oc-
currence, as it occurred February 21,
1888. The spokesman of the delegation
said.
Il
Kansas City branch of the American Pro-
tective association. We come to ask that
when you appoint police commissioners
at Kansas City you will appoint Protest
ants and not Catholics.
.Why2'
because we want Americans and men
who are for America first.
81 understand you, said the governor;
81 understand you gentlemen. You rep
I hot trn ~
P. AS. Well, am against that orga-
nization. ! have no sympathy with its
purposes. / am utterly and unalterably
opposed to the introduction Of any relig-
ious test into our politics. | am Prot
estant. | am not Catholic. But
if some other man does believe
it. that is his business, not mine.
know a great many good men and
noble women who are Catholics. know
a great many splendid Americans, Catho-
lies, who are patriotic men, ready to bear
arms in defence of the country, who con-
tribute much to our enterprise, literature
and craftsmanship, who pay taxes, who
bear all the burdens of citizenship-and
any proposition that would exclude these
people from participation in our civil
affairs is monstrous and intolerable to me.
l have no sympathy with it,
The delegation thought the governor
put the case too strongly, declared they
did not want to make religious test for
Office. and said that though the Catholics
only formed Is per cent. Of the population
of the city, they had 70 per cent of the
police Offices. Governor STONE responded:
ssYou mean, then, to tell me that
twenty-five Catholics can outwit and con-
troll seventy-fiye Protestants. Yet, if
what you say is true, cannot see that it
makes any difference if the police officers
are good citizens and fit for the places,
unless they are appointed because they
are Catholics. The police board in Kan
sas City is composed of three gentlemen,
two OF whom am informed are Protes-
tants and one Catholic. That board ap-
points the policemen. ] think Catholic