The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-13

the Subject.
Following closely upon the heels of
the new manifesto comes another SEN
sation, which has created scarcely less
stir
For the past few days there have
been rumors to the effect that during
the session of the legislature, the Nor
mon church had 2. steering committee
appointed for the purpose of directing
legislation.
On Saturday, the Argus, gave the
names of those constituting this al
legged committee, as follows: F. s.
Richards, c. W. Penrose, w. w. Ritter,
j. NJ. Tanner. w. H King, James
Sharp.
CRITCHLOW'S LETTER.
This is followed by the following let
ter from Hon. E. B. Crftchlow, recog-
rized as the Republican leader in the
house during the recent session.
Five and one-half years ago the lead
ers of the Mormon church issued the cele-
brated manifesto enjoining upon the peo-
pie of the church the strict observance of
laws which, prior to that date had been
defiantly violated. Six months later the
Peoples party, the power of the church,
vas dissolved, and with others L FASTENED
10 accept the pledges and promises given
by leaders and members of that church
2 that the differences which had so long
ranked between us should be forever
settled. We accepted the assurances
given, ana even at the risk of obloquy
and abuse from former associates pro
claimed our trust and confidence 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 a lifetime
we proposed to permit Mormons as other
American citizens to exercise political
preferences and to ally themselves with
the two great political parties. l pro-
claimed then, as l 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 mat
ters, 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
1871, the first presidency sanctioned the
printing in the. Times of an interview in
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 the
United States by all of us were ac-
cepted and statehood became an assured
fact. Now and again circumstances have
pointed to hack of sincerity upon the
Part of some high in authority but while
my falth IN them has been shaken nv
confidence in the great mass of the PEG
pie whom we know as men, and with
whom we strike hands as friends has
never faltered Until these have finally
IalIeo us, no one ought TO doubt the
capaclty 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
10 ask whether we have bee, too hastv
IN believing. and whether the trust 10
slowed is to be violated and it cannot
De denied that ,lon-members of the churot,
are anXlously asking, as the people of the
entire country viii soon ask. whether =
mistake has been made
AS one OF the members of fhe late leg
1slatnre IN position to know by close
association with them of the te,,13er 0-o "a
disposition of the members Sent f rl.ru
various parts of the state / s+iII ,,7ai,,
IAN that an honest, sincere intent eyis4v
~ On , tae part o. most of them to carry out
them and IN their behalf. 's
., Ihere 3 indeed grave reason IN
LINK LINK mat IS much cannot be said of
those. or some of those. high in a1Ithor
lty ana influence in whose care and lra.
ing tne good name of the Mormon r,aonia
Is Ieft. In other words, the very nersa,s
tsa9 AS as leaders of the church, guaran-
teeo the lberties of the individual mem
oers OF the church in all political matters
seem TO be the first to betrav ttsr,o 49,
world. an the
The great question of the hour is NOT
whether there has been and is an intoI-
Stapie interference by church leaders
Mfcn the anairs of state, but whether
tnere is TO be any open, Indignant and
MidesDread Reputation of this BETRAYAL of
the people. As it seems to me- the won
ger IS not that few men exercising nm.
bounced power in matters sDiritual
should desire or even attemnt for . :, JSi
nous ends to exercise that power il, mat
ters political. or even that a few. trained
70 foiloW Counsel and advice. should so
Tar forget Their duty to themselves and
70 heir constituents as to be controIled
IN these matters, but that as vet no nro-
test mas arisen by voice or pen from any
vaded. IN
do not wish to hint darkly at matters
when are OF such moment to every man
wnether in or out of the church There
snould be no cry OF peace peace
when there is no peace. The interference
20 which l refer is the attempt by "ad-
vice and counsel directly and medi-
ately from the leaders of the chllrci, 20
control legislative action.
Il at least five several and distinct
cases was such attempt made during the
session OF the legislature just closed. Nor
DO ] refer TO such advice" and '.coun-
sell as might properly be given by indi-
viduals as such, enforced by arguments
and reasons, but 70 that kind of advice
and counsel which is enforced by threats
OF church discipline, entailing the obedi-
ence due to q spiritual superior.
The existence of a committee or iunta
of five individuals appointed and set apart
by the leaders of the church to pass upon
all proposed legislation, to approve or
veto pending measures, not upon consid-
erations affecting the state. but affecting
the persons under whose direction they
gre acting, is an anomaly-a monstrosity,
in this land of free government Tt is to
my mind as wicked as IL is presumptu-
Gus. The fact that a majority of these
men so appointed and set apart to control
q Republican executive and legislature