Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-12-17
AS TO ocHuRcH INFLUENCE

AS TO "CHuRCH INFLubNCh'..
The subject Of Church influence in
polltlcs sul seems to trouble some oil
the public journals OF course TINS
means Mormon Church influence.
Anything that may be done by sectari-
an ministers. no matter Of what de-
nomination unless It may be Catholic
dlgnitarles--ls not taken into account
in this contention II appears to be
taken for granted that II a Mormon
Apostle or Elder endeayors to influence
citizens to vote for the candidates
whom he supports unlawful or improp-
err influence Is thus exercised, and some
thing ought 10 be done TO check or de-
stroy It.
II Is both amusing and amazing to
read the nonsense that appears on this
matter, in papers supposed to be con-
Quoted by men OF brains A Mormon
churchman Is as much citizen, with
as many poitical rights and privileges
as one who does not belong to the same
religious society or to any sect or as
ISOLATION whatever. There is no law
or regulation which forblds him TO ex-
erclse his influence among his fellow
citizens IN behalf Of a man or a measure
that he thinks ought to succeed, Some
people assent Il would be better and
show more good taste, II men prominent
IN church affairs abstained from actual
partisanshp In political affairs. Sup
posing that to be true or a popular
view, It is then only a matter OF opln-
ion or OF policy, It is not a question OF
actual right or wrong.
Az the Deseret News has often de-
clared, there might be just grounds for
complaint, II an influential Mormon"
exercised coercion. In any degree or
form upon citizens, compelling them by !
any means or power to vote contrary |
to their own convictions or desires.
That is not even alleged by dissatisfied |
or defeated candidates for public Office.
But the notion appears to be enter
tanned, that some un-Amerlcan and un-
lawful act Is perpetrated, when a Nor
mon Apostle, or Elder or Bishop, mas |
tried to persuade people TO support a
party, or a ticket, or nominee for any
official position.
In the late general election, II is
claimed, the Republican ticket was sue
cesful through the exercise Of that kind
Of influence. But not a single voter is
named as one who was subjected to any
force. or threat or undue pressure. And
the nearly 5000 votes on the Demo.
cratic side the large majority Of which
were cast by Mormon" citizens. seem
TO be entirely ignored in the sweeping
and senseless charges OF Church in.
fuence preferred as a sufficient man
ner OF accounting for the political
change In Utah, which also occurred
In other States. where "Mormonso
Church influence is nil.
We here append a sensible editorial
from the Malad Enterprise, which we
commend to all candid thinkers. and
coming from a non" Mormon" source
It ought to have some weight with a
certain class Of complainants:
Ever since election the local papars
OF THIS country have been saving a
great deal about church influence -
ana from the organs Of both parties
come charges that men who hold hipb
positions In the Mormon Church useJ
ther influence, as Church officials IN
promote the interests Of the politicoI
party TO which they belong. Possibly
these charges. TO some extent arc
IlghI but We believe that both mar.
tles are equally guilty. and we cannot
see Where anybody has any 40.
caslon TO complain except those who
were defeated. The managers ~
both parties did their level best ~
eject their ticket, and could thev bayo
cone SO by the exercise of church in
nuence or most any other kind of in.
nuence, that influence would have
been exercised. Since certain condi.
oates on both tickets have met Win
ueteat II Is our opinion that tba issd
ets ana papers Of all political parties
should either refrain from meniiopir.,
these things at all or else make Z
cieah breast OF II and admit thai oil
parties are In the same boat Certain
INDIVIDUALS are scored for using cbnrrb
influence, because they happen IA boid
some position In the church while otbl
ers are defended for doing tbe 60
Ihlngs simply because thew are "rI,,
Jay members This Il seems ~ ms
Us most Inconsistent, for Nc drri, 80
leVe that the only way church irsr-
ehce can be exercised is by arons,,,,
sympathy for or prejudice againS,
certain candidates, and II mstSs 49,
niue Inference whether that svynr,, ~,
is aroused by an Apostle a BIsbot,,
counselor or Elder We do not beiieys
that any man IN the Mormon C'bur,S
mas sufficient influence with tho nno-in
70 absolutely dictate 10 them wbat tj6t-
81 they shall vote" ''' ''1"-
We win add the assertion bo, q.
cannot be proved that any Church ~
hcial has attempted to dictate VOTE.
what ticket they should vote" We
nave never heard Of a charge Of this
Nha mat could be supported by the
shsh'esI evidence. IN the elections IN
lhis state there has never beor u
Church ticket The Church autboritios
nave not made any requirement Of its
members as to voting Every one has
oeen entirely free in this respect II a
prominent ehurchman has exercised
MS full privileges as a citizen. the right
81 iFee speech included, he has issued
10 order decree, manifesto command
OF requisl'lon upon any voter respect.
ing a ticket or a candidate.
NOW we are not arguing on the dues.