The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-13
SENSATION IN UTAH
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES DISCI-
PLINED BY THE MORMON CHURCH.
Action OF the Priesthood u Surprise
May Imperl Statehood.

ALT LAKE. II. T., Oct. 1e.-Political
circles are agitated to-day over a report
that at a secret meeting of the priesthood
OF the Mormon Church, a few days ago,
Hon. Moses Thatcher and E. H. Roberts
were disciplined for participating in politics
without permission of the church authori-
ties. Thatcher is a candidate for the Sen
ate and Roberts is a candidate for Repre-
sentative.
Democratic politicians construe this as a
notice from the church that the Republic
ans should be elected. Just why these two
gentlemen were selected for discipline,
while there are other church officials on
both tickets Is something which Democratic
politicians claim they do not understand.
They cite the fact that Joseph r. Smith,
one of the counselors to the first presi-
dency, openly advocated and urged the
election of the Republican ticket last year,
and that apostle John Henry Smith was a
member and president of the constitutional
convention, to which no exception was
made by the church officials. The Demo-
campaign, with the claim that their chances
for success were about even, but now IL
admits that their chances as against church
influence would be mex to hopeless. The
Republicans claim that in the last cam
paisn the Republican officials who took an
active part In politics had the permission
or the church to do so, whereas in the
present case such permission was neither
sought nor granted.
Judge Powers, chairman of the Demo-
cratic committee. in a published interview
says: IF We find that our efforts are to be
thwarted, our money wasted, our victory
surreptitiously taken from US, / shall adj
wise the State committee to give me au-
thority to call a convention of the Demo-
Gratis of Utah, giving that power to con-
ticket out OF the field and disbanding the
Democratic party, and advising the voters
of Utah to vote down the Constitution and
TO vote in favor Of a Territorial form of
gvernment until we are certain that all our
people. from the highest to lowest, will be
free to act politically as their judgments
and their consciences dictate. Every man
in Utah must have the very fullest free
dom OF political action, and no ecclesiasti-
cal party can be allowed in any degree to
NEEDLE with our political Affairs"
publican State central committee, was seen.
He said, so far as church influence was
said indications pointed strongly to a Re-
publican victory and he believed the rumor
was a subterfuge of the Democrats, who
feel that they are lost, and want an ex-
cuse for falling.
The Argus. a Republican paper, in to-
days issue, says: much as the Argus de-
say here openly that We prefer defeat by
all means rather than a victory we might
obtain that should be stained with the sus-
tion.'
The Herald, the leading Democra attic pa
per, says: 1T is better, now that this issue
has been raised, that it be settled before
Utah becomes a State than to meet it when
statehood becomes a reality"
Chairman Powers said this evening that
a meeting Of the territorial committee had
been called for Monday next to discuss po-
htical matters, and il might result IN call
ing another Democratic convention for the
purpose Of issuing a declaration of indie
pendence to the people Of Utah. Most of
the leading MormonS were out OF the city
TODAY and their views could not be OBJ
famed