The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-08
The Mormons for Mckinley.

1t has been generally predicted in pollti-
cal circles for several weeks that. at the
proper time, the Mormon Church would
officially declare itself for William Nc
Kinley. II has also been understood that
this action would be deferred as long as
1t could be with reference 10 the time
before election, necessary to conduct
Mckinley propaganda among the saints in
Utah, Colorado. and Idaho. Evidently the
governing powers of Mormondom consider
that to wait longer would endangar re-
suits, as formal announcement OF the
Chureh's position was made by Chief
Apostle Cowley at the Mormon General
Conference. held in the tabernacle in Salt
Lake on Friday last.
There is nothing in this political atti-
tude OF the followers OF Joseph Smith and
Brigham Young to occasion surprise On
the contrary, it would be amazing were
they TO turn their backs upon party and
Administration 18th which they lave so
much in common, and from which, if con-
tinued in power, they have so much to
expect.
policy in the present instance is natural
and logical. The Church Of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints is one Of tue great
trusts. Its whole internal polity, in its
tithing system, in its creating nIonopo-
lies for the benefit of its hierarchy, or of
powerful leaders, is that of a trust No
doubt men like the Rockefellers. Have
Il
rived useful and valuable lessons in trust
organization in the past from its methods
and operations The Mormon chiefs are
quite as anxious to perpetuate tfeir rich
trust as the magnates Of oil, sugar. to-
bacco, Steel rubber, and so on are TO
preserve theirs intact. All have equal
cause TO promote trust and Mckinley Sue
cess at the polls in November, on that
account. because the election OF Mr.
Bryan would be the signal for war TO
the death upon criminal trusts. and
struggle TO put all others under proper
governmental control TO the end that they
might not ultimately absorb all the wealth
Of the country and consummate their de-
signs upon its institutions.
The second reason for Mormon friendli-
ness to Mr.. Mckinley is not far to seek.
He is the first American President who
has shown the smallest sign Of liberation
for polygamy. No one unfamiliar with the
conditions and the state Of public senti-
ment in Utah can conceive Of the JOY with
which all Mormons have watched and ac-
claimed his course in recognizing the in
stituton Of polygamous marriage as an
American institution in the suu islands
The subvention Of the Mohammedan Sultan
OF Jolo. the allowances for the support Of
that subject American monarchs harem,
and our guarantees 20 respect the religion
ard social Notwithstanding concubinase
and slayery-of that interesting part Of
our Far Eastern Empire, have necessarily
filled the hearts Of our Mormon fellow-cit-
liens with hope and expectation; and per-
haps justiGably SO, should the author and
imposer OF the Jolo- McKinlcy treaty be
reelected.
II yellow Malay MohammeGans can have
from twenty to a hundred wives apiece and
be protected in that exercise Of their re-
ligion why should not the flag which shell
tiers them also shelter the white Mormon
patriarch and his little family Of ten or
a dozen wives? II polygamy is good and
lawful In Jolo by mere executive or
der, why might IL not be made so IN Utah
in the same or some other way! AS 4