The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-02-06
M0RM0NISM IS
NOW INJECTED
Debate in the Senate on State
hood Takes a Sharp Turn.
AMENDMENT ON PoLYeAMY
HOUSE BEGINS DISCUSSION OF
ANTITRUST BILL.

ate today turned on the question
OF polygamy. A number of senators
who heretofore have taken no part in
the debate participated in the discus
sion. Mr. Gallinger. replying to some
statements made by Mr.. MeComas,
said that he was in favor of an amend
ment to the statehood bill covering the
question of porygamy as strongly and
firmly as possible. The influence of
the Mormon church over politics oc-
cupied a large and sharp debate. Mr..
Hale characterized the debate as in
teresting, valuable and startling, be-
cause it had disclosed a powerful re-
ngiouS organization 'exerting itself as
"a dominant potential force over the
mind and action of it's followers, which
should be taken into account in future
legislation. Mr.. Kean. who had in
tended continuing his remarks begun
yesterday in opposition to the bill.
yielded the floor so often during the
day that before he resumed, the SEN
ate went into executive session and
adjourned a few minutes afterward.
Quay Objected.
During the consideration of morning
business a dill was passed authorizing
the Pittsburg, Carnegie & Western
railroad company to construct a bridge
across the Allegheny river at Pitts
burg.
Mr.. Quay then objected to the pas
sage of any further bills by unanimous
consent.
Mr.. McCumber IN. ID moved to
consider the pure food bill passed by
the house, and on a yea and nay vote
the motion prevailed, 40 to IS The
bill was read and an amendment was
agreed to providing that nothing in
the act should be held to apply to sub
Sistence or materials manufactured and
sold exclusively for use in the arts and
industries, but only when manufac-
tured and sold as drugs or foods.
Consideration was not concluded at
2 O'Clock. when the statehood bill came
before the senate.
Polygamy Question Sprung.
The debate on the statehood bill
turned on polygamy Mr.. McComas
started it yesterday by criticising the
pending bill as being too liberal. Mr..
Gallinger, replying today, said he was
willing that as strong an amendment
polygamy should be inserted in the
bill.
Mr.. Hale criticised the exercise of
power by the Mormon church.
Mr.. Warren asserted that the Nor
mons exercised no control in his
Mr.. Dubois declared that no
pclygamist could occupy any high po-
liticaI place without the consent Of the
first presidency of the Mormon church.
The same influence, he said. was ex-
ercised in New Mexico and Arizona
He said that Idaho could control the
Mormon people whenever it so de-
sired If the Mormon people should
openly. through their first presidency.
interfere in the politics of Idaho. he
would guarantee to take the stump and
disfranehise every Mormon in one cam
paign.
Dark Element in Politics.
Mr.. Hale replied that the matter was
a dark element that could not be pen
etrated by the light that usually IL
Eliminates and enlightens communities
generally in the states.
Mr.. Teller said the Mormon church
is all powerful and that whenever t
spoke through it's first presidency the
great body of the church responded to
the demand that was made.
Mr. Rawlins of Utah spoke of the
proclamation of the head of the Nor
mon church in 1890 declaring that there
should be a cessation of pOlygamy and
that the Mormon church should be TAX
en- out of politics, and that MOrmOns
We're free to express their political pref
erence as they saw fit ThereupOn, he
said opposition to the admission of
Utah as state was removed. He de-
clared, however, that the Mormon
church influence in politics in Utah
still is an important factor
Dubois Answered the Question.
Mr.. Spooner inquired if it was true
that the first presidency could dictate
whether or not a Mormon should hold
a public political office. Mr.. Dubois an
swered the question by stating that no
Mormon would run for high political
Office without the consent of the first
presidency.
Mr.. Rawlins said that when the ap-
proval is given the man goes forth with
the benediction of the church.
while the other man." interjected
Mr. Hale. rests under the frown Of
the church"
Mr. 9awlins. replying to Mr.. Hale.
said he lid not know that this was
the case Ssith any other church An
swering Nj Spooner. MIR. Ra~lins said
he did not cal.~ to enter upon the ques-
ton as to whether the ful scope of
the power of the Mormon church ever
came TO the know edge of the public
Mr. RaWlins declared that there was
a large element which would over
throw the church domieation in the
affairs of the state. because it was OBJ
noxious to them. The disposition to do
this. he said. is growing. and in Utah
conditions are improving.
Replying 70 Mr.. NcComas, he sd
njtted that a majority of the legisls.
ture are members of the Mormon
church, although, he said, they have
not Disseminated against non-MOr-
mons on religious grounds.
Hale's Eyes Opened.
Mr.. Hale remarked that the debate
had been interesting. valuable and
startling. 1t had disclosed. he said,
q powerful religious organization ex-
ertfne itself as a dominant potential
force over the mind and action of its
followers. 1t is the power TO bind
and loose" he said. If there is any
thing in the spirit of American insti-
buttons. IL is" he continued. that it
is never permissible on the Part of the
authorities of religious organizations
10 exercise control in temporal mat
tiers over its followers and to influence
elections. This day has not been i'll
spent" he declared, lin bringing out
conditions that obtain where the Nor
mon church has secured its Judgment
He said the lessons taught ought to
sink into the minds Of senators and
ahouId be taken into account in the
future legislation
Mr. Patterson of Colorado said the
chief desire of the MOrmons is to re-
main in favor with the party in power.
Mr.. Patterson declared that IL any sect
was large enough and strong enough TO
become a factor in the political life of
the country that church would pursue
the same course as the Mormon church