Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-28
TESTIMONY OF EX-SENATOR DUBOIS


What is evidently somewhat care
fully prepared interview with Hon.
Fred T. Dubois, oxUnited States sena-
tor from Idaho. appears in the Tribune
this morning. In 1t that gentleman |
discusses with some degree of both |
frankness and thoroughness the vexea |
question of ecclesiastical interference |
in political matters by the authorities |
of the Mormon Church. and in effect |
bears his testimony upon the matter.
Mr.. Dubois's candidacy for recollection
to the United states Senate was the |
subject of a prolonged and bitter con-
test in which each side resorted to
every permissible method for adding to
its strength The Mormon element in
the state Of idaho cut an important
figure in the struggle, and Mr.. Du-
bols was In an admirable position to
Judge of the degree to which ecclesiast-
ical influence, properly so called, was
exerted, His testimony acquittng tho
Mormon leaders of the charge of eNer>
cising illegitimate control in politics
| is therefore of peculiar force and value.
Here is the interview entire:
"The change from the old condition
| of Church solidarity was not instan-
| taneous, nor could 1t be expected by
any other process than that of evolu-
tion--slow ut times, and at times al
most seeming to pause. or even to ret
| rograde; but in the lapse of years
| showing steady movement toward
| the end of perfect political liberty fot
all the men and women who give theii
allegiance to the Church. Looking
| back over the campaigns OF recent
years. the mark of individual action Is
plainly manifested upon every import
| ant event in the states where Nor
mons exist in sufficient numbers to
make their political action noticeable.
I will not question that strong men
in the Mormon Church, of more or less
prominence, assert their views in such
a way as to make an overshadowing
influence upon the minds of some OF
their followers. In some cases TINS
may even be matter of preconcert-
ment and calculation among the lead
ing men: and In many other cases 1t
may be but the result of enthusiasm
in a political controversy which, as II
grows warmer and warmer toward Its
close. makes greater and greater eN-
actions upon the intense spirits on both
sides.
, But In the main, the leading men
, Of the Mormon Church so far as my
observation goes, have abstained from
invoking ecclesiastical authority in
2 the guidance of political events, and
r have been content to either remain
ouiescent, or even silent, in politics
=, or, at most. to assert themselves mere
e ly as individuals. And even in those
I cases where a charge of church inter
= ference would justly lie, II at all. 1t Is
a matter of congratulation that the
! people have expressed their own in
] in
s ellis and at the ballot-boXes, and have
I neither sought nor needed the attempt.
ed control of political matters by &C.
clesiastical power. My own observa'
Il ton is that minor church officials mr.,
: more likely to attempt the use OF this
4 influence than are the Presidency oi
Apostles. call to mind two or three
instances where men holding local au
:, thority In the Church attempted tC
!, sway their local elections by invoking
a the names of the leaders of the Church
S and when confronted by demand fo
n positive proof, were compelled to ne
d knowledge that they had no such in
e structions from Church headquarters
y at Salt Lake. In my own Tight II
i Idaho for recollection to the Senate, 1
= was notorious fact that some loca
d Church officials In that state, and ever
r some of the leaders of the Church IL
e salt Lake, desired to defeat me, TIL
r remembrance of that desire and tn,
e urgent and somewhat eNtraorlluar,
: action which 1t prompted, is not 81
J. lasting with me as the remembrance q
o the magnificent way In which tn
: young Mormons in Idaho, In many In
II stances, rallied to my support an'
IS worked boldly and manfuly for tn
y vindica don of. not only the principle
= which they thought l represented Il
), national affairs, but for the malnten
e ance of political freedom within tn
l. that the Church, having renowned tn
IS purpose of debating TO its members II
II political affairs, does not, as n Church
II now seek such dictaton. And that tn
. fight for Church control, and the fgh
against Church control, AZ 1t was for
ynerly waged. are alike forever ende'
Is In Utah and Idaho. A ground for sue
,e faith Is found in the known wisdom
1, OF tine Mormon leaders and in tn
"a superb individual strength of ma
~ jority of its followers.
"Of all the people in the world, tn
ie Mormons should feel n devoted allie
- glance to certain political principle
~ now under. vital consideration in thi
~ country. The enfranchlsement of man
ie kind Is dependent upon a reversal q
that decree which has gone forth in a
Re the lands OF civilization in behalf a
~ the gold standard: and in an essentia
H. sense the intermountain states ar
so particularly dependent for their pro
IN gress upon n restoration of the unlm
i tied right of silver to free mintage o
'e terms of equality with gold. com
munty whose entire teachings an
experiences have tended to show tina
general poverty Is an unnecessary con
dtlon will not now be weaned ava
a., from that political doctrine whose ei
- fects when carried into law will he tn
ne amelioration of the condition OF tot
tie the giving of work to workers and III
Ut | insurance of proper rewards thereto
= While / was in the East / heard
great deal of talk concerning Uta
re- and the surrounding states wher
&C. the Mormon people are particular
he strong. There seems to be an impres
Al, sion among some OF the gold standar
~ advocates ard some Republican pollt
clans that the leaders of the Churc