The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-02-09
THE POLYGAMY DEAL.
Editor Of the Herald.

Editor Of The Herald:
The suggestion OF your Washington cor
respondent that Apostle John Henry
Smith and Bishop Hyrum Clawson were
in Washington for the purpose. Of trying
to prevent the adoption of the proposed
constitutional amendment against polyg-
amy has. It seems to me, received all too
Httle attention. I waive discussion Of
the cain that such an effort is un-
necessary by reason OF the abandonment
Of polggamy by Mormons. and merely
state that the denial of Bishop Clawson
VIII count for nothing The fact that he
is still in Washington discounts 10
evpher the assertion that he and Smith
are there out Of curiosity over the Rob
erts case. Roberts is home. Smith and
C1awson are still in Washington.
But there is a menace TO unpoAutei
elections in the intimation Of your CORE
spondent which nay well be taken seri-
ously when the known disposition of Mr.
Smith to accomplish political results
without questioning the means and the
past political record Of Bishop CIaws0n
are remembered
There is a widespread fear-a fear which
Will not be dispelIed by any denial no
matter how high the source Of the de-
niai-that the worthy gentlemen are
dickering with their natural political al
lies 20 have the proposed anti-Doiygamy
constitutional amendment defeated. in
return Cor which this state is to be put
once more and permanently under con-
troll of the Republicans party. Whatever
doubts may be entertained as TO the
willingness Of Republicans to enter into
such a compact. no one viii dispute the
charge that Bishop Clawson and Apostle
Smith would suffer no uualms of con-
science
It viii be borne in mind that such q.
cCnDact would not be new to the Re
publican party nor to either Of the gen
tlemen named. When Utah was an ap-
plicant for statehood. Republican support
was obtained by the assurance that this
state would be Republican. and those liv-
ing here will remember distinctly with
what undisguised satisfaction Joseph f.
Smith and other prominent MormOns
thanked the Republican party for an adj
mission to statehood which was given by
a Democratic congress and president. and
the state was turned over to the Repub-
iican party. But the side promise made
through Bishop Clawson and George O.
son and Isaac Trumbo on the other. that
George Q. Cannon and Isaac Trumbo
should be the first senators. failed of full
fllraent for reasons that are not peril
nent at this time
1t may safely be asserted that the pro-
posed constitutional amendment inhIbit-
ing forever the practice Of poIygamy is
not receiving the support Of the Nor
mon church leaders-noither actively nor
passively- As safely may It be declared
that their disposition and desire is to see
it defeated-and this is not said to their
discredit. But it is well that all those
interested in seeing politics freed from
the influence Of church should bear in
mind the fact that there are men i'm the
Mormon church who would not scruple
TO defeat the proposed amendment by
any means whatsoever. and by none so
cheerfully as the promise that this state
shall be made Republican and by pledging
the influence Of the Mormon church to
that end and of such. in my view are
II. 3. Clawson and John Henry Smith
The people of this state can determine TO
what extent Republicans would hesitate
about being parties to such an arrange
ment 1t has been done before. Why not
again. To aid Mr.. Roberts assent was
given to the election of Mayor Thomp-
son last fall and it is not to be presumed
when the sporting clement and the Pc
ligious element join hands to defeat a
gO0d Latter-day Saint that the present
situation might warrant a little pressure
only a little, but enOUgh-to prevent a
constitutional amendment, if it can be
done by giving a Democratic state once
more over to Republican control.
Very strong MOrmOns there are who
oppose such methods. but today fear the
thing 1 write Of and say so in no uncer-
tain tones. II. J. NJ.