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

legislature, which created something
of a sensation. Mr. Critchlow charges
that there was made by the Mormon
church leaders a direct attempt to con-
troll the legislation of the hate state
legislature. "The interference to
which 1 refer" says Mr.. Crltchlow, sis
the attempt by advice and counsel
directly and mediately from the lead
ers of the church to control legisla-
tive action
I'm at least five several and distinct
cases." continues Mr. Critchlow. was
such attempt made during the session
of the legislature just closed. Nor do I
refer TO such advice and counsel as
might properly be given by individuals
as such enforced by arguments and rea-
sons but to that kind of advice and
counsel which is enforced by threats
of church discipline entailing the obedt-
ence due to spiritual superior"
Mr.. Critchlow charges that a COM
mittee or junta of five individuals were
appointed or set apart by the leaders
of the church "to pass upon all pro-
posed legislation, to approve or veto
pending measures, not upon considera-
lions affecting the state, but affecting
the persons under whose direction they
are acting.''
Herald reporters were sent out yes
terday to interview the gentlemen said
to constitute the alleged committee,
with what result may be seen by ref
erence to our local columns.
1t will be observed that the gentle
men said TO have constituted the com
mtUtec deny the character attributed
to 1T by Mr.. Critchlow. Mr.. Monsoon,
however, affirzns that he was informed
by a Republican member of the house
of the existence of such "a committee;
while Judge Powers says there has
been evidence enough submitted to him
that such a committee exists as to
establish the fact in court of Justice.
That is the status of the case, pro and
con, up to date.
If such a committee as Mr.. Crftch-
low describes was appointed by the
church authorities, and it attempted to
do what Mr.. Critchlow alleges, neither
Mr.. Crttchlow's denunciations of such
unwarranted church interference With
the functions of the state, nor those of
the Tribune editorial on the subject is
too severe. No denunciation of that
kind of thing could be too severe. 1t
is not only un-American, but anti
American. 1t would be a direct viola
ton of the pledges made by the Nor
mon church leaders time and again.
that the church would not seek to DOM
mate the state Such a proceeding
would be an actual crime. It would
retan'd the progress of the state, turn
the wheels of progress backward. and
bring into existence again all the BIT
terness from which we hope Utah has
entirely escaped.
But before we get too much excited
over a matter of this character. it is
well to be assured of our ground: be
not in a hurry, there is no occasion for
haste. Mr.. Critchlow makes his
charges, but the gentlemen alleged to
have formed the committee deny his
allegations, the proof submitted to the
public is not yet enough to establish
the fact of what is charged, whatever
the future may bring forth.
Let US not forget that men at present
are a little excited over the situation
in Utah; and an excited state of mind
is not conducive to right judgment
of things.
The question is asked if The Herald
knew of this junta while the legisla-
ture was in session; and if so, it is still
further asked, why did it not expose
and denounce it? The very question
is an insult. The Herald had heard
nothing of such a junta, much less
knew Of its existence-if, indeed, it
really had an existence-untii Mr..
Critchlow's letter appeared in yester-
day mornings Tribune; and we confess
to some surprise if the matter has beer
50 well known as some allege, and as
Mr.. Critchlow must have known, why
he did not long before now give evil
dence of its existence.
People at this juncture of our pro-
gress in Utah can afford to keep cool.
1t is not worth while to stir I'D strife
and the bitterness and heart-burnings
that we had hoped were dead never
to know such thing as a resurrection.
The prosperity of the state is involved
in this thing. Let not every charge of
bad faith be entertained. No class of
people can so i'll afford to do anything
to revive the bitterness of the past as
the Mormon church leaders; and if in
some quarters their sincerity is ques-
toned, they must at least be credited
with ordinary intelligence, and the
plainest kind of just common horse