The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-18
CONTROL IN UTAH.
PoLxaAlrrhGAur AnkDRANzSsUrBr
E1H 0ENE1BEG

SALT LAKE, Utah. SEPT. 12SITho death Of
Wiiford Woodruff, President Of the Mormon
Church. bids fair TO add impetus to the move
meat among other religious organizations 70
resume the warfare upon the tenets OF the
Mormon Church and what they believe TO be
constant violations Of the law against poSyg-
amy. Before the admission Of Utah ~ q
State the line between the Mormon and tho
Gentle population was clearly drawn. and
thore was . constant STRUGGLE between the
two elements for control Of the Territory. The
contest then wa. political rather than relig-
ious. and In the elections which Immediately
preceded Statehood the Genttles were able to
oarry the city Of Salt Lake. under the name Of
The Liberal party-an organization which In
oluded Republicans, Democrats and all others
outside the pale Of the Church.
When Utah was admitted to the Union and
becamesa factor in national politics. the old
liberal party: was.broken up and Democrats
and Republicans We'd with each other In eff
forts to secure the Mormon vote. thus It
came about thatsthe Church to-day has control
OF all political party organizations. 1t con-
trolls conventions. dictates nominations and
elects tickets. The result is that scarcely o
Gentle can be found in public ONCE in the
State.
While this has been the situation politically.
there has been q growing disposition among
che Church people other than those belonging
TO the ruling religion to find fault with the
condition Of affairs. They even go so far as to
charge that violations OF the law against.polyg-
amy are constant and open. and that convic-
lions are impossible with the local judiciary
in the control Of people who are presumed still
70 believe In plural wives. and with peace off,
GERS who will wink at violations of a law which
is opposed to their religious principles. With
this condition of affairs alleged 10 be existing.
the State Presbytery Of Utah recently met at
Manti and adopted n remarkable address to
the Presbyterian Church Of the United States.
It is In the form of a statement on THE Pres
emit Situation in Utah" The Presbytery says
IL is published in response to a general demand
for information from individuals and Presby-
tories alike. 1t says BY way Of preface:
THAT which affects the national veal or
hinders Christianity In its benign and ele-
waiting mission must concern earnest and
thoughtful lovers Of humanity and create q de-
mand for facts. Hence. in answer to tho de-
sire of our 230 Presbyteries and more than
1000 ministers and sessions, our all but 1.000.-
900 communicates and our millions Of ad-
herents. the Presbytery Of Utah submits these
statements in support Of which there is abun-
dant evidence:
"First-The Mormon Church has returned to
politics. The old habit has reasserted itself.
The Church has resumed sway. 1t has de-
cided to govern the people in this as In all
other matters. Adherents of the creed are
expected to take counsel as of yore. The
manifesto by which this was brought about
was issued on April g. 1896. and was adopted by
the Church soon after. thus becoming a scrip
fure.' an inspired document. as binding on
oonsciences as the Decalogue. This manifesto
gives the priesthood the right to say who of
Its members may aspire to political office and
who may not. thus making it clear to the voter
who Is to be elected and who defeated. And
since unQuestioning obedience is q cardinal
virtue and disobedience a mortal sin. the
voice Of God carries the election.
"Second-In addition to political control. the
Church has determined to take control OF the
State schools. In most Of the towns and vii
lagos Of the Commonwealth only Mormons are
elected to serve as trustees and teachers In the
public schools. Non-Mormons at certain
points have been:notifed that. since they can
not teach what parents wish their children to
know mormon doctrinel. there is no room for
them. and they must seek employment else
where.
"Third-Another phase OF the present day
Utah is that the people are being urged to live
their religion This would seem q desirable
thing to do. Unfortunately. however. this
phrase has an application here other than that
understood by people unacquainted with the
mysteries Of Mormonism.' One lives his re-
hgion' In Utah who has entered the celestial
order Of TT pFaTriSEe;' and eohsbits With az his
come to our notice. and this living has resulted
IN the birth OF more than 1000 children since
statehood was granted. Jan. 1. 1896.
.Fourth-That this situation may be per-
Petuated and this peculiar institution flourish.
that ubiguitous thing known as Church in:
huence' SO affects men that those who could
testify to this lawlessness are silent. Juries
no arrests. Hence religious adultery goes un-
punished and the Kingdom grows apace. From
the heads OF the Church down. polyGamy -four
',,Ftfth-If a person has thu temeritv to call
public attention to this. state of affairs. he is
ple.' and, soon becomes aware Of the unfor-
tpnate blunder he has made. Want Of en-
OF the atmosphere. either or all these three in
str9ct him Of his error in his use Of free speech
papers that hope to do business here and en-
JOY our saluDrious climate find it adyantageous
70 discuss other than the present situation In
"sixth-Moreoyer, the present condition in
Utah is, not confined to the State. There is an
SSSs atss. FKGio N!RS sPPiGi; 81 Is fSS SieS In' Sn SfhfI
1880. are abroad, The Church claims to have
about 1000 Of these missionary mendicants
live of the bounty Of the people to whom they
90 in the field; This is a great saving, to the
those In authority a better chance. stfiiii i
must be said, in behalf Of the Church. that
where an elder cannot maintain himself In
the struggle for existence. where he labors
he may lean back upon or draw from the
q dance may be given In his behalf In the
out.
"seyenthmone thing more These mis-
gay all they have to say In the first sermon. MOI
II H. q naSop hei me ssrm mncb , ahe str 90 not even KY;
feed milk. II Is safer. better adapted I;
ance. baptism by immersion for the forgive
meas OF sins BY one having authority. and Inn
commended by Joseph Smith and hls sue
hdam-god immediate revelation. iniallI
of Mormon. celestial order OF marriage, Coz
as q polygamist. Christ the husband 81 thre'
demPtion tor The dead by ,yicarious baptism
the duty Of, tithes. implicit obedience to tn,
priesthood In all things. personal or blooC
st9ne%ent for the pardon Il the unpardon
until the digestion Of the new convert Is i'm
The nDnnimnna u1nnfipn Of Ihfa ny m n III ILL