Arizona republican., 1903-02-06


presidency of the Mormon church. The
same influence, he said was exercised
in New Mexico and Arizona. He said
that Idaho could control the Mormon
people Whenever it so desired. 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.. Hale replied that the matter was
/. dark element that could not be pene-
trated by the light that usually illum-
mates and enlightens communities
generally in states.
ZIr. Teller said the Mormon church
! is all powerful and that whenever it
spoke through its first presidency the
great body of the church responded u
the demand that was made.
Mr.. Rawlins of Utah spoke Of the
/ proclamation Of the head O: the Nor
Imon church in 1880 declaring that there
should be q cessation Of pJlygamy and
( that the Mormon church should be TAX
! cn out Of politics and that Mormons
were free to express thcir political
tprcforance as they saw lit. Tnereupon.
he said opposition to the admission o.
| Utah as q state was removed. tie de-
/ cIared. however, that the Mormon
church influence in politics in Ctan Is
still IN important factor.
| Mr. Gpooner inquired if il was true
4 that The first presidency could dictate
/ whether or not a Mormon should held
/ q public political Office. MIR. Hawlins
said that when approval is given the
man gees 10rta with the beredieti3n on
/ the church.
HU.r ara.f OF rfa q
Mr.. Hale. "Teste under the frown of the
/ church.
/ Mr. Rawlins replying to Nj. Hale,
said he did not know that this was the
case with any ether church.
! Answering Ir. Spooner, Mr.. Raw
/ lins said he did not care To enter upon
the question as 10 whether the full
scope of the power OF the church ever
came to the knowledge oi the pub
/ lie.
MI Rawlins declared there was a
! large clement which would overthrow
/ the church i'm the affairs of state, be
|Cause it was obnoxious to them. The
disposition TO do this. h said. is grow
ling and. in Utah conditions improving.
/ Replying to McC0mas, he admitted
| taat a ma iority of the legislature are
/ members OF che Mormon church, al
/ though. he said. they had net discrim-
MATED against uCn-MormOn5 on re-
/ HgioUs grounds.
/ Mr.. Hale remarked that the debate
! had been interesting, valuable an3
startling.
1T is the power to bind and Loose
/ Re said. III there is anything in the
spirit CT American institutions. it is,
| he c9ntNUed, that it is never permis-
sible on the part of the authorities Of
religious organizations TO exercise con-
/ troll in temporal matters over its fol-
/ lowers and to influence elections. This
day has not been nl-spent" he de-
clarcd, in bringing out the conditions
tnat obtain where the Mormon church
nas secured its lOdgment.'
Mr. Patterson Of Colorado said the
/ chief desire of Morm0ns is to remain
! in favor with the party in power.
4 Mr. Patterson declared that If any
/ sect was large enough and strong
enough TO become a factor in the po-
litical life Of the country that church
wculd pursue the same course as the
/ Mormon church.
5Ir. McComas cited the law max
ing Utah state, and said il the Nor
mons could be rid of this dark shadow
ILcy WCuIu reap Iiie ieMdIdS SL IllSli
toll and Of their trials. The abolition Of
polygamy and CT the domination Of g
secret hierarchy would meet with ap-
plaUse and approval of our people"
Mr. Quay said he was not just now
prepared or authorized" to accept an
, amendment to the bill embodying the
Edmunds law and applying it to Ari-
zona and New Mexico. The best way
to settle that question, he said. was to
fix a day for vote on the bill.
Mr.. McComas, continuing, character
lied the prohibition Of pOlygamy as
contained in the Utah enabling act
as an important pTetense of restriction
without any legal efficacy. He hoped
congress would not pass such a bill
and thus be recTeant to the moral SEN
timent Of cur country and mankind