The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-06
influence of the Mormon Church in
Politics Feared by New Eng
land Senators.
ANTITRUST BILL DEBATE
PROTEST FROM HOUSE DEMOCRATS
AGAINST THE SPECIAL RULE.
Senate Bill to Expedite Antitrust
Prosecutions Passed - Alaskan
Boundary Treaty Doomed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-Discussion of
the statehood bill in the Senate to-day
turned on the question of polygamy. A
number of senators who heretofore have
taken no part in the debate participated in
the discussion. Mr.. Gallinger. of New
Hampshire. replying to some statements
made by Mr.. McComas, of Maryland, said
that he was in favor of an amendment to
the statehood bill covering the question of
polygamy as strongly and firmly as posi-
bic. The influence of the Mormon Church
In politics occupied large share Of the de-
bate. Mr.. Hale characterized the debate as
interesting, valuable and startling because
it had disclosed powerful religious
Sanization 'exerting itself as dominant,
potential force over the mind and action Of
its followers, which should be taken into
account in future legislation Mr.. Kean,
who had intended continuing his remarks
begun yesterday in opposition to the bill,
yielded the floor so often during the day
that before he resumed the Senate went
into executive session and adjourned a few
minutes afterwards.
In his address on the statehood bill Mr.
Dubois declared that no polygamist could
occupy any high political place without the
consent OF the first presidency OF the Nor
was exercised in New Mexico and Arizona.
He said that Idaho could control the Nor
mon people whenever il so desires. If the
Mormon people should openly through their
first presidency interfere in the politics OF
Idaho he would guarantee to take the
stump and disfranchise every Mormon in
one campaign.
Mr.. Teller said that the Mormon Church
is all powerful, and that whenever IT spoke
through its first presidency the great body
of the church responded TO the demand that
was made.
Mr.. Rawlins spoke of the proclamation of
the head of the Mormon Church in 1890, de-
ciaring that there should be a cessation or
polygamy and that the Mormon Church
should be taken out of politics and that
Mormons were free to express their political
preference as they saw fit. Thereupon. he
said, opposition to the admission OF Utah
as a State was removed. He declared, how
ever, that the Mormon Church influence in
politics in Utah still is an important factor.
Mr.: Spooner INQUIRED II 1t WAS, was true thar
the first presidency could dictate whether
not a Mormon should hold high po-
ltical Office.
Mr.. Dubois answered the question by
stating that no Mormon would run Tor
high political office without the consent or
the first presidency.
Mr.. Rawlins said that when the approval
is given the man goes forth with the oene-
diction of the church.
while the other man." interjected Mr..
Hale, rests under the frown OF the
church" .
Mr.. Rawlins, replying to Mr.. Hale, said
he did not know that this was the case
with any other church. Answering Mr..
Spooner, Mr.. Rawlins said he did not care
to enter upon the question as to whether
the full scope of the power of the Mormon
Church ever came TO the knowledge OF the
public. Mr.. Rawlins declared that there
was large element which would overthrow
the church domination in the affairs OF
state because ii was obnoxious to them.
The disposition to do this. he said, is grow
ing, and in Utah conditions were improving.
Replying to Mr.. McComas he admitted that
a majority of the Legislature are mem
bers of the Mormon Church. although, he
said, they have not Disseminated against
non Mormons on religious grounds.
Mr.. Hale remarked that the debate had
been interesting, valuable and startling. Ii
| had disclosed. he said. powerful religious
organization exerting itself as a dominant
potential force over the mind and action
| of its followers. 1T is the power to bind
| i'm the spirit of the American institutions il
is" he continued, that it is never permits
i sible on the part of the authorities OF re-
! ligious organizations to exercise control IN
| temporal matters over its followers and
| to influence elections. This day his not been
| i'll spent" he declared, in bringing out con-
ditions that obtain where the Mormon
Church has secured its Judgement. he
/ said that the lessons taught ought TO sink
| into the minds of senators and should be
taken into account in future legislation.
| During consideration of morning business
| q bill was, passed authorizing the Pittsburg
| Carnegie & Western Railroad Company to
construct bridge across the Allegheny
river at Pittsburg. MIR. Quay then objected
to the passage of any further bills by
| unanimous consent
Mr.. McCumber. of North Dakota moved
to consider the pure-food bill passed by the
House, and yea and nay vote the
motion prevailed, 40 to 49, The bill was read
| and an amendment was agreed to providing
that nothing in the act shall be held to ap'
| ply to substances or materials manufac'
tured and sold exclusively for use In the
arts and industries, but only when manu-
| featured and sold as drugs or foods. Mr.
| McCumber, in charge of the bill, detailed
the efforts which have been made for the
past fifteen years TO secure legislation OF
this kind and explained the amendments
which the Senate committee inserted In th'
bill. Consideration of the bill was not con
| cluded at o'clock, when the statehood
| bill was laid before the Senate.
| There was more talk to-day about a com
| promise on the statehood bill. Prominen
| Republicans were quite active in their ef
| forts to break the deadlock, and severa
! conferences were held, but nothing definite
| was determined on.