Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-04-17
THE STEERING COMMITTEE
Did the Church Attempt to
Influence Legislation?
CritchIOw Alleges Tiff an Attempt
Was Made. Was IL Improperly


For the past few days there have
been rumors to the effect that during
the session of the legislature, the Nor
mon church had steering committee
appointed for the purpose of directing
legislation.
The committee is as follows: F. S.
Richards, c. w. Penrose, w. W. Ritter,
J. M. 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 the
house during the recent session.
Five and one-half years ago the lead
ers of the Mormon church issued the
celebrated manifesto enjoining upon the
people of the church the strict observ-
ance of laws which, prior to that date,
had been dehantly violated. Six months
later the people party,the power of the
church, was dissolved, and with others
fastened to accept the pledges and
promises given by leaders and members
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-
hdencs 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. 1 proclaimed
then as l have ever since, and still do
proclaim nay faith in the good faith and
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 1891,
he 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
light to interfere with the political indie
,endence of church members.
Slowly the embers of prejudice died
'ut, the pledges given to the people of
# the United States by all of us were
accepted and statehood became an as
ured fact. Now and again circum-
tances have pointed to a lack of SINGER
ty upon the part of some high in au-
hority, but while my faith in them has
cen shaken, my confidence in the great
1ass of the people whom we know as
len, and with whom we shake hands as |
-iends, has never faltered. Until these |
ave finally failed us, no one ought to |
oubt the capacity of the people of Utah
or self-government. The events of the
asst few months, and especially those
hich have crowded so close upon the
tie general conference of the church
ave led men to ask whether we have
cen too hasty in believing, and wheth-
r the trust bestowed is to be violated,
nd it cannot be denied that non-mem-
ers of the church are anxiously asking,
the people of the entire country will
ION ask, whether a mistake has been
ade.
As one of the members Of the late leg
ature, in position to know by close
ISOLATION with them of the temper and
spositiOn of the members sent from
Irious parts OF the state, l still main
in that an honest, sincere intent exists
the part of most of them to carry out
letter and in spirit, promises given by
EN- and in their behalf
But there is indeed grave reason to
ink that as much cannot be said of
ose, or some of those, high in autbori-
and influence in whose care and keep
: the good name of the Mormon peo- (;
is left. In other words, the very
rsons who, as leaders of the church,
aranteed the liberties of the individ- ,
members of the church in all polit- .
| matters seem to be the FIRST to be-
y them and put them to open shame r
ore all the world.
The great o,Iestion of the bo,r ie not
ether there has been and is an intol-
bic interference by church leaders
h the affairs of state, but whether Il
re is to be any open, indignant and n