The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-07
GENTILES IN UTAH AROUSED
Open Fight Against Attempts Officials to Exert
 Ecclesiastical Authority Political Affairs Likely to Be Inauguratedj n City,

hours and give him secret counsel on every subject.
 There is strong evidence that on the evening before the last municipal cleo tion instructions were quietly given to the faithful Mormons as to their votes. As the women all have votes it would not be difficult to find sufficient number who would obey any order that might come to them from an authoritative ec- clesiastical source. Some of the members Of the priesthood were unusually active about the polls On election day. giving counsel to voters. and their activity is thought to furnish the explanation for the surprise that came to the Gentiles with the returns that night.
 For time the Mormons in the Coun- ell kept up senblanee of party loyalty. In recent months. however. they have Been acting in concert in endeavoring to secure power in the affairs of the city Feeling ensendered by the contest against Senator Smoot and by recent prosecu- tons begun against prominent men in the Mormon Church who are said to be living in polygamy has led to reprisals. with the consequence that the Mayor has eeen brought into conflict with the Nor mons in the City Government. The Police Commissioner appointed by the Mayor has been harassed at every turn by the Council ma ajority. and other Gentle mem- bers of the administration have had the same trouble.
 It is not difficult to find among business and professional men-aside from the leaders in the other churches-a strong feeling that the only thing the Gentiles can do is to unite to make a protest against the Church domination in city affairs.
 It is only fifteen years ago. and we'll within the memory of most of the Gen tiles in the city, when the Mormon au- thorities took the most active part in the Government. The political meetings of the old Peoples Party were always open ed with prayer by high Church official. Another official would preside and pre- sent for nomination the names of men who had been passed upon previously by the governing ecclesiastical authority. and the organization of the Church was used to the utmost to insure their cleo tion.
 Opposed to Improvements.
 These Mormon officials. when in con trol, were consistently opposed to every improvement that might bring outsiders into the city. It was not until Gentle administration came in fin 1890 that the city had a sewer system, although 1t had a population of over 5000. Other public necessities were neglected in the same fashion. The condition of the city water was a scandal. The Police and Fire De partmcnts were farcical affairs. old horse cars furnished the only means of public locomotion.
 There is fear that the same retrograde policy win be pursued again if the Nor. mon authorities are permitted to control, as the present majority in the Council has shown every disposition to return to old methods. 1t would not be surprising. therefore. if all pretense of friendship should be abandoned and the Gentiles should fesutrect the old Liberal Party for the coming campaign Even if that should not come. it is certain that there will be a sharp retaliation on every Mor- mon on either ticket in payment for ths supposed treAchey of the last election.