The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-18
r1r. critchIow's Letter.


MI Critchlows open letter which ap-
peared in the Tribune OF yesterday
morning was an amplification of the in
terview with him which appeared IN
The Herald or the previous day. 1t
begins with a reference to his previous
letter in which he made the charge
that the Mormon church authorizes
had appointed a committee or Junta
to influence legislation at the late SEES
sion of the legislature. He says that
letter was not hastily or ineonsider-
ately written, and that if he had made
the charge without proof or even upon
insufficient proof he ought to be held
up to public scorn and derislon as
common defamer; but on the other hand
if the proof is evident and the facts ap-
pear it is the duty of every citizen 10
speak Then he submits some OF the
proofs and states that there are others
which will be offered from time to time
THE GOVERNORS DENIAL.
Referring to Governor Wells denial
of the charges, Mr.. Critchlow says
that it is unaccountable that he chose
to defend himself against an imaginary
attack as no accusation either direct or
implied had been made against MS
excellency. He believes that the COVER
nor was ignorant of the existence or
the iunta. as were also some of the
Mormon legislators from whom 1t was
kept a secret Not" says the open
letter. that we Ghe members Of the
house, were unconscious Of such IN
fuences. [ appeal to every member
of the house for the truth OF my
statement that we felt confident that
on very many questions certain mem
bers were obtaining elsewhere higher
and purer light than any which could
be impaired by fellow members, but
through what channel the illumination
came. 1 frankly admit did not know"
In the house Mr.. Critchlow says not
every measure was decided in accord
ance with the wish of the junta, but
the gist of the offense is in the at
tempt. The success or failure of i. is
to a certain extent immaterial.
MR.. MONsONS STATEMENT.
The open letter then quotes the
statement of Mr.. Monson, Of Cache
county, a man of standing, intelligence
and reputation, as follows:
salt Lake City, April Is, 1896.
Hon. E. B. Critchlow, Salt Lake
Dear Sir-Yours of even date to
hand, and contents noted. In reply 10
your inquiry as to what reason L nave
pointed to look after matters with ref
erence to legislation, permit me to say
that while l have been somewhat re-
luctant in expressing myself in regard
to details that caused me to believe
that such a committee had an exist
ence. and that they were appointed by
some one in authority in the dominant
church, nevertheless 1 shall now en-
deavor to be frank with you.
f3r-c+
the legislature L had a conversation
with Bishop Stevens, Of Ogden, which
was substantially as follows:
Mr. Stevens-Mr. Monson, If 1t is a
fair question: permit me to ask, are you
a member of the church?
Mr.. Monson-Yes, sir.
MIR. S.-Do YOU hold any office in
the church?
'Mr. M.-Not of any consequence. 1
am. however, clerk of the thirty-ninth
quorum of seventies.
s'Mr. ST. suppose, then, that I can
talk with you in regard to matters that
interest US all?
mir. M.-That depends altogether
upon what subject yoU desire to talk.
Mr. SIT is simply this. The breth-
rem realize that most of us are mex
perienced in matters pertaining to leg
islation. and have therefore appointed
some of the brethren who have had ex-
perience to look after legislative mat
tiers, with the view of preventing vici-
GUS legislation, and l think we should
stand together on these propositions,
irrespective of party.
Mr. M-Whom have they appointed
to look after this matter?
MIR. S.-They have appointed Bro
Their Penrose, Judge King and Brother
T. S. Richards, all of whom are good,
cfo 1lnal Democrats
Mr. M.-Why did they not appoint
some Republicans?
'Mr. S.-They have. They have ap-
pointed w. W. Ritter, James Sharp and
Prof. J. NJ. Tanner.
1.-The above conversation explains my
reasons for believing as do with refer
ence to this matter, and having conf
dence then, as have now, in Mr.. Stew
ems. I have been led to believe that
such a committee existed, and that
they were appointed by some one high
in authority in the church; that any
evil was intended l do not believe, but
that the facts are as above stated in
my opinion is absolutely certain.
Feeling as | do that in the interest
of our new state, and harmony be-
tween the citizens of our common
wealth. irrespective of our religious
faiths or beliefs, color or creed, we
with each other, and trusting the above
will answer your inquiry satisfactorily,
/ ana. sir, yours truly.
JOSEPH Monsoon"
eff the question is raised as to the
reliability of this statement continues
Mr.. Critchlow, lit must be raised by
Bishop Stevens. 1 hazard nothing in