The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-17


Thursday before the quorum of the
twelve of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, in obedience to
a command issued by the authorities.
has created an interest in ecclesiastical
and political circles which will reach
into every settlement in Utah. 1t can
now be said that the great battle is on.
The opening gun was fired at the spring
conference. when Moses Thatcher was
"disciplined' for taking an active in
terest in politics, his offense being the
allowing the use of his name as q can
didate for United States senator;
battery was brought into action at the
recent conference when a half-dozen
or more of the leading officials de-
nounced Thatcher as being unworthy
of further confidence. and his name
was dropped from the roll of apostles;
and more recently the people were
bombarded with a pronunciamento,
signed by the first presidency, in which
it was stated that as Thatcher was
under suspension he could no longer
exercise the functions of the priest
hood.
Since the issuance of this edict there
has been nothing CT moment to occur
until the proceedings of last Thurs
day were recorded. Since then the
strife has again been entered into in
earnest Moses Thatcher has again
been notified to appear before the
quorum of the twelve, and the time
set for the ceremony is next Thursday
afternoon, and it has been said in con-
investigation viii be held, whether or
not Mr.. Thatcher is present.
STATUS OF THE CASE.
A gentleman in the confidence of
the church authorities last evening
stated to a Herald representative that
the notification had been sent; that
so far as he knew no charges had
been filed, nor would there be any in
vestigation OF any alleged derelictness
on the part of Mr. Thatcher. but that
the meeting was to be held solely for
the purpose of harmonizing, if posi-
bic, ali existing differences. the idea
being to restore Mr.. Thatcher to full
fellowship if an adjustment of the
differences could be arrived at. II
not" said he, 1T is expected that Mr..
Thatcher Will himself see the necessity
of Withdrawing from a quorum in
which he can no longer be admitted to
fellowship"
To Herald representative Mr..
Thatcher admitted the receipt of the
notification, but declined to discuss it.
so far said he, I have declined to
discuss the attitude of the church au-
Nd I 4 in
tend to break the resolution formed
early in the controversy. It is a mat
ter which. up to the present time, con-
Germs only myself and the quorum of
the twelve.
He was asked if it were true that he
construed the notification as a sum
mons to trial, and his reply was:
Il have nothing to say upon that sub
ject. 1 do not feel at liberty to talk
freely or to express an opinion just
now"
Mr.. Thatcher also declined to discuss
the statements made in yesterdays
Herald and dismissed them by saying
that he knew nothing of their origin
and that they We're subjects he did
net care to discuss. You can say"
said he, that l was not aware that
anything Of their nature was to be
published and that I do not believe
that any of my friends were responsible /
for them
Concerning his candidacy for the
United States senate Mr. Thatcher de- /
clared that the honor sought S5as an
action that he was not personally re- 4
CT
my views in the interview which ap-
peared in the Tribune recently, and in
which I avowed myself a candidate.
My candidacy is owing solely to the
strong pressure brought to bear upon /
ne by friends. 7 am not seeking the /
office for the purpose of self-aggran +
dizement and am in no sense pushing /
candidate. Ny own judgment has at
all times dictated that 1 should refrain
from seeking or holding a political Of
flee, but I an not shirker when it
comes to the performance of any po
liticai duty my party may impose upon
me. Fer that reason have consented
to allow my name to be presented to
the legislature. But I shall not enter
into any undignif1ed scramble for the
office; neither viii permit my friends
to make an aggressive fight in my be-
half. II I am the choice of my party
1 shall perform my duty to it and to
the state to the best of my ability; if
/ am not the choice, as voiced by its
representatives in the legislature, I
shall be content. I occupy the same
position today that 1 did when before
my name was mentioned IS candidate
for the United States senate. The posi-
ton I then assumed I did from convic-
ton and I arn actuated by the same
principle now. Each time have sub
mitted to the wishes of leading Demo-
crats and they all know that I am an
unwilling candidate so far as my per-
sonaI inclination is concerned, but that
I am willing to perform any political
duty they may impose upon me. be-
lieve that statement explains my can
didaey fully. I may hereafter, how
ever, have something further to say
concerning it,
Mr. Thatcher is in good health, all