The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-02-13
OMNIBUS STATEHOOD BILL.
Mr.. Morgan Talks on
Treaty-MormOnIsm

Washington, February
tho discussion of the statehood bill in
the senate today, Mr.. Hanna called up
The conference report on the depart
neut OF commerce bill, which he pre-
sented yesterday and il was agreed TO
without debate. The bill now goes TO !
The president. :
Mr.. Morgan, almost Immediately
after he opening OF the session, re-
sunled his remarks on the statehood
bill. but branched off on the subject OF
the proposed treaty with Colohlola. ne
referred to the conCordla Oh POPE Plus
tx, which constituted a part OIL the
| organic law OF Colombia. and SAID that
The United States intended 10 put the
neel OF i~gnoninlouS contempt upon II.
he predicted a return OF the hostllltleS
| between the old church party IN Co
lombia and the liberal party. 1ahlhs
Up the subject of Mormon influence In
| politics., Mar. Morgan referred 10 the
| election of Mr.. Smoot as senator from
Utah. and said he would never thlnk
OF opposing his entry into the senate
because he was an apostle OF the MOT
mon church, because religion IN TINS
country by the constitution is intend
ed TO be free and intended to be pro-
tected.
Rewriting to the treaty with Colom-
bia for the construction OF an iSthmlan
canal, Mar. Morgan sad the OIlleu
states intended to put the heel of 1gno-
ANXIOUS contempt on the organic law
of Colombia, wan respect 10 rellSlous
,ree0om ana trample 1t unoer LOU.
I'VE are treating with those people,
ne said, with the intent and purpose
OF destroying that law or else Tor the
purpose and under such circumstance
rs TO disgrace the United States he
asked VINO was TO the lWt
propositions, when the CoIombians con
: Tend tor their organic religious law
while the United States is ~contendlns
lor the constitution of the UNITED
states and VINO would prevent a re
d turn of the hostilties, now apparent.
II closed between the old church part,
II VINO maintained these dogmas and tn
liberal party who have been fghtln
Them in every
He said the people of the Unite
States are not going to listen to argu
J. ments against Mormonism in Utah @
y Arizona when we are Straining ever
u power for action upo a treaty Wit
Colombia having such an organic re
iigious law as he had referred to.
o. Mr.. Depew followed in opposition
= the omnibus statehood bill. He sal
- that the head of the Mormon churc
Il who is the spiritual and tempor'
d guide of the Mormon people, was in
position to say to the leaders of bot
- political parties what will you do
IL protect Mornonism?" If there is ar
IL fallibflity in the world, he said, it
the judgment at election time of tt
political leader of my party.
49,. IF that is true" interrupted NJ
Patterson, of Colombia, why did Il
eo republican party two years age NAL
n a greater bid for the Mormon vote tht
&c did the demoCrats?"
yc- Replying Mr.. Depew said both pa
ny ties made every possible bid but t
of Mormons trusted the republican
which caused laughter. He characte
49, ICED the an~ti-polygamy section of t
statehood bill as a sham and said tbs
ID had been nc proposition from t
me democratic side to strengthen it,
Mr.. Teller said that if a day wou
of be set when a vote could be taken,
is democrats would all join in strengt
-av ening the provision referred to.
At the conclusion of an eXecuti
d session the senate adjourned until
morrow.