The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-30
HIS SURPLUS OF WIVES
Snow Takes a Hand in the Rob-
erts Fight.
NOT TEACHING POlYGAMY
He Says No Plural Marriages Have
Taken Place In Utah Since 1890.
Roberts Election to Congress
an Entirely Secular Affair.

Salt Lake. Dec. 2s.-In connection
with the election of b. II. Roberts 10
congress and certain charges c~irculat-
ed by the Presbyterian board of mis-
sions. President Lorenzo Snow OF the
Mormon church furnishes a signed
statement to an afternoon paper here
to-day. in which he says in part:
Il declare most solemnly and en-
phatically that the statements which
are being published to the effect hat
the Mormon church Is encouraging and
teaching polygamy are entirely untrue.
Ever since the issuance of the mani
festo on this subject by President Will
for Woodruff. my predecessor in Of
flee. ~polygamous or plural marriages
have entirely ceased in Utah. Since
my accession to the presidency OF the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints. I have repeatedly asserted my
intention to stand by that manifesto
and my determination not to permit
any marriage to take place under the
sanction of the church which IL how
contrary to the law OF the state and I
nov reafirm that statement. The inn
piled understanding with the nation
when Utah entered the union as a state
has been sacredly observed. There is
no intention or disposition on the part
of the church to violate or depart from
IL in the future. The enabling act re-
quired a provision in the constitution
of the state OF Utah that polygamous
or plural marriages should be forever
prohibited.
Laws have been framed in support
OF this constitutional enactment.
Heavy penalties are provided for In
case OF their violation. The election q
Il. H.. Roberts to the Office OF rep
resentative in from Utah was
an entirely secular affair. Non-Mor-
participated in his nom
vention OF his party. Non-Mor-
mons also aided in his election. Many
Mormons not being of his party voted
for his opponent. He was elected as
an American citizen by American Git
liens and the question OF religion did
not enter into the purely political con-
test. The church has nothing to do
with the action of congress In rela-
ton to his seat. II. however, notice Is
to be taken of the wild statements and
anti-Mormon Nominations from the
pulpit and the press to the effect that
Mr.. Roberts has violated the state con-
stitution and the requirement OF the en-
abling act. IL is prope for me to state
as 7 do most positively b the charge,
which incidentally affects the church
OF which we are both members, Is en-
tirely without foundation in fact. IL
he should be unseated. the result as TO
polygamy would he 10 different.
There have been no polygamous
marriages since 1890. There is no move
ment in the church for the revival Of
such unions. | am personally oppos-
ed to any such change. My associates
in the leadership of the church unite
with me in this determination. The ex-
element that has been caused during
the last few weeks is without reason
and IL appears to me without excuse.
with a sincere desire for the well
fare. progress and redemption of the
whole human race, | am. etc,
LORENZO SNOW"