Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-12-01
ANTI."MoRMoN" sEcTARIANIsM

The Salt Lake Herald has espoused
the cause OF the boilers In the First
precinct which f. not very surprising
when we consider its attitude Of late In
reference to the Mormon" portion of
this community In mentioning TIE
arguments Of the Deseret News in re-
ference to the dispute in that precinct,
the Herald says
"rhe News. however, omlts any ref
erence to the two very serious objec-
tlons 10 Prof. Cummings az a member
OF the board. These two are his con-
nectlon with the State University,
which should occupy his time fully ana
the fact that he has been the benen-
ciary of influence In his behalf by Blsh-
op Warburton and other officials In the
Mormon Church without protest from
HIM"
Well, we viii notice the two very SER
ious objections offered by the Herald,
which also are the only ones put forth
by his opponents, In print or other
wise. In another part Of this issue of
the News" viii be found letter from
college man which answers the first
objection. But we win say further, that
Prof. Cummings is simply teacher Of
Greek and Latin In that institution. His
work does not by any means occupy all
of his time TO the exclusion Of other
duties that he might assume In any
other capacity. He has his class-work
In the University to attend to and when
that is done he has leisure for other
pursuits. and can spend much more
time IN the duties Of a member OF the
Board Of Education than can be deyot-
ed by q merchant, n lawyer, or any
business man actively engaged IN this
city. Further, the work on the school
board would be along his special lines
Of thought; he would bring to II the
benefits of his collegiate training and
his appreciation OF the needs Of adj
vanced education
The notion that a professor in the
State University must necessarily hold
dews inimical TO other scholastic In
zdtutions Is frivolous and almost Inn
beetle, No such objection Is put forth
by any OF the principals or preceptors
in any OF those establishments. The
District schools and the High schools
are feeders TO the University. and
everything that advances them will be
of benefit to the highest educational in
stltution Of the state, The University
strongly fayors the High schools and
the High schools should favor the Uni
verslty AS to the first objection. then,
everybody who has eyes TO see viii
readily perceive that there is nothing
IN 1t.
Now as to the awful charge that Prof,
Cummings has not protested against
THE influence In his behalf by Bishop
Warburton and other officials of the
Mormon Church. The enormity Of this
offense will be readily recognized by
every rabld Mormon eater in the
city. Other people viii either smile
broadly at the Stiffness OF the charge.
or feel utter contempt for the inslnua.
ton, Granting, for arguments sake
that Bishop Warburton and other Off
cials OF the Mormon" Church who are
not named, have used their influence IN
behalf OF the candidacy Of Prof. Cum
mings, why should he utter any pro-
test against their vote and inhuence2
We do not care 10 dispute the ac-
curacy of the Herald's assertion, al
though we could dlsprove 1t easily aud
thoroughly enough IL 1t were necessary
but where Is there a candidate for any
public office IN this city, or in this state,
who would not be glad to obtain just
such Influence" as that which the
Herald objects to? Are not Mormon
officials and Church members citizens
as well az their neighbors? DO not
'hNh N'A'0 'N'iAt wi just US inuNn rs
those Of an equal number Of non-"Mor-
mons?' Have they not just as many
rights as people have who differ from
them In religious faith2 Why then
should there be such an cutlery against
Mormon influence in election affairs.
whether scholastic or political?
The Herald announced that Rev. p.
4. Slmpktn took a prominent part I'm
the school convention, but was care
full TO add "as a citizen" Bishop War
burton is a business man in the First
Ward. a very old resident and interest.
ed as a taxpayer ana a man Of affairs
IN all that relates TO the public welfare
Does the Herald mean to say that he
had no right to use any influence in
this matter "as a citizen?" lie aid not
figure In the convention, however. ana
has been improperly dragged into this
controversy.
The logic Of the Herald leads only 10
this conclusion: That no Mormon"
holding any official position In his
Church land almost every male mcm-
Der holds some Office thereln.) has the
right 10 use his influence in favor OF or
against any candidate for a public Of
fee. and II any such candidate does not
protest against that influence he ought
to be rejected az the polls.
The truth OF this whole contention IL.
that when Prof Byron Cummings
name was first suggested for the Board
Of iEducation =. ndiatsr OF prominent
non "Morsions," some ofYhose names
would surprise the public II I'VE men
toned them. as We may have TO DO yet