Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1897-10-13
WOODRUFF TALKS OF POLITICS.
Remarks Cause Almost Universal Surprise
and Excitement

Remarks Cause Almost Universal Surprise
and Excitement,
Salt Lake City, Oct. Excitement
over the remarks made by President
Wilford Woodruff at the close of con
ference, touching on politics, has
somewhat abated, yet it is still gem
eral theme of conversation. In all
quarters it has been deprecated as
having been an unfortunate occurrence
The remarks created a flutter of ex-
which grew when the throng reached
the street and began discussing them.
Many Gentiles favored the resurrec-
tion of the liberal party TO fight what
they allege to be an open avowal of
the intention of the church authorities
to assume control of the political lib
critics of church members. George l..
Nye, candidate for city attorney on
the non-partisan ticket, an old-time
liberal, withdrew from the ticket, be
ing unable to longer endorse the non
partisan movement.
President Woodruff. in an interview,
denied that he meant his remark to be
so sweeping, or to carry a construction
of which they are capable. He said;
Il did not refer to any ticket. did
not have any particular ticket in mind.
| have not had time to pay much at
tention to tickets. | was simply advo-
eating the principles of non partisan
ship in city matters. | have no desire
to pitch into Democrats or Republi-
cans. think parties are needed as n
general thing. | spoke spontaneously
and did not mean to say that there
should be -partisanship in state
and national affairs. | meant that we
should elect good men to all offices,
but it was about city officers that |
was thinking when | urged the people
to unite regardless of party. ! had in
mind particularly our heavy city debts
and expenses. l want it to be clearly
understood that do not want to break
up the parties. l want them to exist
here / have no intention to urge
that they be broken away from IN
| state affairs 1t would not be wise tc
do away with our present party
| lines"
There are three stenographic re
ports out, of the three daily papers
They are all different in language, but
the came in import. Following is one
of them.
President Woodruff prefaced his re
marks by saying that this was probab
ly the very last time that he woult
have the privilege of addressing th'
Saints at conference. He then refer
red to comments he had heard, il
which the presidency had been con
demned for making any reference t
politics. and expressed surprise tina
this was the case.
"The day has come, =" he continued
"when God requires that you unit
together, both in business and in poll
tics, | do not care whether you are
republican or democrat; you shoul
unite to elect good men for the govern
ment of the city and the state, and
you do not do this you are losing tn
true spirit. Lay aside your democrac
and republicanism, and as Latter-da
Saints unite together and appoin
good men. When you do this, Go
will bless you.
Now | take the liberty, as pres
dent of the church of Jesus Christ O
Latter day Saints, to make these re
marks, and do not mind what the pee
pie shall say ! realize that this pee
pie are groaning under poverty, unde
aifliction, under taxation and unde
things that ought not to be, and yo
should unite together. This idea {
holding to party ties amounts to notl
: ing 1t is your duty as members {
this church to unite and appoint goo
, men to rule in this city and state. |
your duty and the Lord will ble
, you.