The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-14

Shurtlin, the city hall meeting Wouiu
not allow me to PROFOUND.
Mr.. Civilian and Mr.. Chambers were
both seen and verify Mr.. Hamers
statement
OTHER STATEMENTS.
Later these gentlemen stated to The
Herald that Mr.. Foulger had also said
to them in effect that President Shurt-
lift had told him CFoulger) that he had
given similar word regarding the wishes
of the first presidency to every bishop
in Ogden, and that Mr.. Foulger was
delegated by President Shurtliff to car
ry this word to Hyrum Belnap, another
influential church man. Neither Mr.
Foulger nor President Shurtliff ever de-
MED the statements publicly, so far as
known, although President Shurtlif
was chairman of the meeting at the
time Mr. Hamer made the charges.
On the other hand, numerous reports
of alleged repetition Of the sayings OF
President Shurtliff were being brought
to the Democratic committee concern
ing dates, not only before, but subse-
quent to the mass meeting.
Finally the Democratic committee
took the matter up and addressed the
following letter to the first presidency:
HEADQUARTERS of the Democratic Coun-
ty Committee.
Presidents Lorenzo Snow, George Q. Can
nan and Joseph f. Smith, Salt Lake
Gentlemen: 1t has been quite frequently
reported to US of late by reputable citi-
Zens that President l.. w. Shurtl1n or
Weber stake is circulating the report that
the presidency of the Church or Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints desires the
reelection of Hon. Frank ]. Cannon to
the United States senate, and for such
reason has been urging members OF your
church to advocate and work Tor MS re-
election, and that by such effort OF Presl.
dent Shurtlif a considerable NUMBER Oh
''Mormons'' have been induced to give
such support, in some cases contrary to
their personal wishes, but in Difference to
YOUR and his ecclesiastical authority.
Will you have the kindness to state
whether such is the wish of the presi-
dency. and whether President Shurtliff
has been authorized to give publicity to
In view of the Importance of this matter
TO the people of this county, an early re-
ply, and one that may be made public,
will be appreciated.
We remain with profound respect.
E. NJ. CONROY,
Chairman Democratic County Committee.
R. T. HARRIS, Secretary.
This was the letter which President
Snow referred to at the opening of the
interview. and the immediate cause Of
his reference to it was the fact that a
note had just been delivered to him by
SWer.
The answer to the letter seems to
have been delayed, owing to hefpress-
ing business of conference time.
Another instance of the alleged ten
dency of President Shurtliff to use his
ecclesiastical authority to influence
support for Cannon was charged by
Levi ]. Taylor, bishop of Harrisville.
Mr.. Taylor. stated that Mr.. ShurIlif
had urged him to fall in line, saying
that he should not now have any hesi-
fancy in deciding on which side the
church stood.
When Mr. Taylor asked for further
explanation, Mr.. Shurtliff called atten
tion to the city hall ass meeting and
the fact that he (Shdrtlif) was chair
man of it, as evidence of the wishes of
the church leaders.
This incident was related by Mr..
Taylor at a committee meeting, when
most of the candidates were also pres
ent
It, together with other reports, inten-
sified the feeling, and gave rise to the
desire for some public expression by
President Snow