The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-02-16

For the first time this session the
senate held a night meeting last even
ing, the same being for the purpose OF
considering Mr.. Rideout's resolution
which provides for the investigation
of alleged use of church influence IN
the recent senatorial election
All the members were present at the
evening session with the exception OF
Messrs. Johnson and Robson, and a
lively interest was manifested in the
proceedings Several ladies were also
in attendance for the purpose OF listen
ing to the remarks which might De
made upon the matter under consldera-
ton.
Mr.. Rideout asked that the resolution
he read. which was done. Mr.. Smoot
called attention to the fact that the
terms senate and house were trans
posed and suggested that an amend
nent be made; also that the resolution,
as it contemplated an expenditure OF
the public moneys, be changed 10 a
concurrent resolution, which was
agreed to. and Mr.. Rideout took the
floor.
RIDEOUT'S SPEECH.
He prefaced his remarks by an al
fusion to the now celebrated Ilmes
interview by the heads of the church
and the declaration of the general con-
ference which followed it, in which the
assertions of the Utah commission to
the effect that the church dominated
the politics of this state, were denied.
1T was in pursuance of these asser-
lions and the general declarations or
the authorities" said the speaker,
that the enabling act was passed ana
l.. 1 l,nT mir
Mr.. President-This resolution pro-
vides for a committee of seven, three
members of the senate and four of the
house, to investigate the alleged lnfiu-
ence of certain church dignitaries in
the late election of United States SEN
ator.
Utah was admitted to statehood on
the express promise of the authorities
of the dominant church to keep all in
fuence of an ecclesiastical nature out
of the elections. At the general con-
ference held October, 1891, resolutions
were adopted, of which the following
is an extract: Whatever appearance
there may have been in past times of
a union of church and state, because
men holding ecclesiastical authority
were elected to civil office by popular
vote there is now no foundation or eX-
cuse for the statement that church and
state are united in Utah, or that the
leaders of the church dictate to the
members in political matters; that no
coercion or influence whatever of an &c
clesiastical nature has been exercised
over US by our church leaders to which
political party we shall join.
In pursuance to these and other
declarations. the enabling act was
passed. providing therein that perfect
liberation of religious sentiment shall
be secured and that no inhabitant of
- IN,
person or property on account of his
or her mode OF religious worship. To |
allege that those promises have been !
broken is a serious matter and l APP 1
proach the argument with a degree OF /
difiidence, but 1 see my duty as l be- |
lieve il and I shall not shrink from the |
responsibility. There are those who say ]
that the hand of charity should be eX
tended and that the past should remain |
undisturbed. / am willing, with you. |
to extend charity, when charity will I
prove a blessing, and not the contrary.
The primal duties shine above like |
stars. but the charities which soothe, (
and heal and bless, fall at our feet like |
flowers.
L hope that God will place the seal
of eternal silence upon my lips before l /
shall say anything that shall not tend
to equal handed justice on this matter.
! concur that Justice is the great in
terest of man upon earth, the ligament
which binds society together. Wherever
its temple stands, wherever duly hon
ored. there is the foundation of liberty
and the advancement and progress of
the human race
AS TO the question whether men
holding high positions in the church
used their influence or not: Pass this
resolution, create this committee and
you shall be convinced. Mr.. Thatcher
Democratic party since its organiza-
ton in Utah. Weak of body, and of
a retiring disposition. he would have
preferred to enjoy the comforts OF
home; but the Democracy would moi
consent. and against his remonstrance
ne has been urged to take a prominent
part in the elaboration of the party
leaders Two years ago he was chosen
by unanimous vote to bear the stand
ard Of the party as its candidate for
the United States senate. Soon there
after it became evident to the leaders
Of the party that an influence was be-
ing brought to bear with the people at
The polls. The recOnvened convention
as called. 1t met and Mr.. Thatcher
vas looked TO. among others, for words
If counsel and advice. He responded
lobiy and spoke fearlessly along the
ines of absolute separation of church
md state. Soon thereafter a manifesto
vas issued by the church. requiring
he church officials to counsel with
heir superiors before accepting
domination by a political party We
III conceded the right of the church .
o take this stand with its members.
.ir. Thatcher refused TO sign the mani {
este and thereby lost his position as a ;
member of his quorum: and l defy
my senator to stand on this floor and {
tate any other reason than this why
lr. Thatcher is not as worthy of the s
upport of his party as he was two
ears ago. What crime has he COM :
nitted? Has he committed murder?
las he stolen his neighbours property? 7
90: he is innocent Of all charges of '
his nature Party leaders pushed him {
o the front. and when the church :
cted upon his case unfavorably. basely t
eserted him. Brutus. on the plains Of f
'hillippi, was similarly deserted: and ;
5 he fell upOn his sword, exclaimed: ]
have followed virtue all my life, be- r
ewing 1t to be substance. at last TO q
nd il but a name 6
Mr.. Thatcher with truth might say:
have followed honor all my life. be- a
ewing it to be substance, only to
nd il but a name
we have no cause TO lose hone in c
ne struggle for perfect political in b
ependence. for which we have con-
ended. the seed has been sown and y
i'll bear fruit Our constituencies are
gliding uD our hands, but this VIII r
OF apply TO those men who oppose the
lection of Mr. Thatcher as I am led {
, believe that some of them are CON e
rained to sing the song, The Old q
ONE Alnff What 70