Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-06
POLYGAMY AND POWER
AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION IN
THE SENATE.
Influence Of Mormon Church Debated
Proposed Amendment Of
the Statehood Bill.

The debate on the statehood bill in the
Senate yesterday afternoon turned on polyg
amy. Mr.. McComas started 1t by criticising
the pending bill as being too liberal.
Mr.. Gallinger, replying, said he was will
Ing that as strong an amendment as could
be drawn prohibiting polygamy should be
inserted in the bill.
Mr.. Hale also criticised the exercise of
power by the Mormon Church.
Mr. Warren asserted that the Mormons
exercised no control in his state.
Mr. Dubois Qdaho) declared that no polyg-
amist could occupy any high political place
without the consent Of the first presidency
of the Mormon Church. The same fn1lu-
ence, he said, was exercised in New Mexico
and Arizona. He said that Idaho could
control the Mormon people whenever 1t so
tice polygamy openly through their first
presidency, he said. and interfere in the
politics of Idaho, he would guarantee to
take the stump and disfranchise every Nor
mon in one campaign.
Mr.. Hale replied that the matter was
dark element that cannot be penetrated by
the light that usually Eliminates and en-
lightens communities generally in the
states.
Mr. Teller said the Mormon Church Is all
powerful, and that whenever 1t spoke
through it's first presidency the great body
of the church responded to the demand that
made.
Replying to a question by Mr.. Platt
Comm, Mr.. Teller declared that without
positive proof he would not believe that a
Mormon holding political office would fulfill
the requirements of the church against his
official oath.
Mr.. Rawlins Utah) spoke of the procla-
nation of the head of the Mormon Church
in 1890. declaring that there should be
cessation of polygamy, and that the Nor
mon Church would be taken out of politics
and that Mormons were free to express
their political preference as they saw fit,
and thereupon. opposition to the admission
of Utah as state was removed. He de-
clared, however, that the Mormon Church
influence in politics in Utah Is an important
factor.
Mr.. Spooner inquired if 1t was true that
the first pr"S' 'ency could dictate whether
not ON should hold a high polit-
teal office.
Mormons in Politics.
Mr.. Dubois answered the question by stat.
ing that no Mormon would run for high
political office without the consent of the
first presidency.
Mr. Rawlins said that when the approval
Is given the man goes forth with the bene-
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 otner churcn. NO young Mormon ne
said, replying to questions, feels that the
road to political preferment is open to him
except upon accommodation by the
church.
Answering Mr.. Spooner, Mr. Rawlins said
ne 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 a
large element which would overthrow the
church domination in the affairs of state
because it was obnoxious to them. The dis
position to do this he said is growing, and
that in Utah conditions were improving. He
admitted, replying to Mr.. McComas, that
maj GRITTY Of the legislature are members Of
the Mormon Church, although, he SAID they
have not Disseminated against non-Mor-
mons on religious grounds.
Startling Disclosures.
Mr.. Hale remarked the debate had been
Interesting, valuable and startling. 1t had