The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1896-04-16
THE STEERING COMMITTEE
Did the Church Attempt to
influence legislation
critehlow Alleges It-If an Attempt
Was Made. Was IL Improper

'~shiNNAt ANes SUI.
For the past few days there hay,
been rumors to the effect that durins
the session of the legislature, the Nor
mon church had a steering committe,
appointed for the purpose of directing
legislation.
The committee is as follows: F. S
Richards, c. w. Penrose, w. W. Ritter
J. NJ. Tanner, W. H. King, James Sharp
This is followed BY the following let
ter from Hon. E. B. Critchlow, recog
nized as the republican leader in tn,
house during the recent session.
Five and one-half years ago the lead
ers of the Mormon church issued tn,
celebrated manifesto enjoining upon the
people of the church the strict ob.ery
ance OF laws which, prior to that date
had been defantly violated. Six months
later the peoples party,the power of the
church, was dissolved, and with others |
fastened to accept the pledges and
promises given by leaders and members
OF that church that the differences
which had so long ranked between us
should be forever settled. We accepted
the assurances given, and even at the
risk of obloquy and abuse from former
associates proclaimed our trust and con-
hdence in the integrity of the Mormon
people. One of the charges, as YOU
know, made against us was that without
trial and contrary to the belief and
teachings of lifetime, we proposed to
permit Mormons as other American
citizens to exercise political preferences
and to ally themselves with the two
great political parties. | proclaimed
then as | have ever since, and still do
proclaim my faith in the good faith and
common honesty of the people at large.
1t was as impossible for me to believe
then as it is now that the people of this
state would not only themselves declare
for freedom in all political matters, but
permit those of us who rallied to their
cause to give our word in their behalf
only to trick us in the end. In 1901.
the first presidency sanctioned the print.
ng in the Times OF an interview in
which they solemnly and unequivocally
protested that they did not claim nor
would they ever attempt to exercise the
right to interfere with the political indie.
pendence of church members.
Slowly the embers of prejudice died
Out, the pledges given to the people of
of the United States by all of us were
accepted and statehood became an as
sured fact. Now and again circum-
stances have pointed to a lack of SINGER
ity upon the part of some high in au.
thority, but while my faith in them has
been shaken, my confidence in the great
mass of the people whom we know as
men, and with whom we shake hands as
friends, has never faltered, Until these
have finally failed us, no one ought to
doubt the capacity of the people of Utah
for self-government. The events of the
past few months, and especially those
which have crowded so close upon the
late general conference of the church
have led men to ask whether we have
been too hasty in believing, and wheth-
err the trust bestowed is to be violated,
and 1t cannot be denied that non.mem-
bers of the church are anxiously asking,
as the people of the entire country will
soon ask, whether a mistake has been
made
AS one of the members Of the late leg
iSlature, in a position to know by close
association with them of the temper and
disposition of the members sent from
various parts OF the state, still main.
tain that an honest, sincere intent exists
on the part of most of them to carry out
in letter and in spirit, promises given by
them and in their behalf.
But there is indeed grave reason tc
think that as much cannot be said Of
those, or some of those, high in authori
ty and influence in whose care and keep
ing the good name of the Mormon PEG
pie is left In other words, the yer,
| persons who, as leaders of the church
guaranteed the liberties of the individ
ual members of the church in al. polit
ical matters seem to be the first to be
tray them and put them to open sham,
before all the world.
The great question of the hour is no
whether there has been and is an intol
cradle interference by church leader
with the affairs of state, but Whethe
there is to be any open, indignant an,
widespread reputation of this betraya
of the people. AS II seems TO me, tn
wonder is not that a few men exercising
unbounded power in matters spiritua
should desire or even attempt for am
billions erds 10 exercise that power i
matters political, or even that few
trained to follow counsel and advice
should so far forget their duty to them
selves and their constituents as to b
ontrolled in these matters, but that a
yet no protest has arisen by voice c
pen from any one of the many who's
rights are invaded.
do not wish to hint darkly at ma
tiers which are of such moment to ever
man, whether in or out of the churcl
There should be no cry of peace
"peace," when there is no peace. II
interference to which ! refer is the a
tempt by "advice" and counsel" as migI
properly be given by individuals as sue
enforced by arguments and reasons, b'
e to that kind of advice and couns
!, which is enforced by threats of churC