New-York tribune., 1903-02-14
MORMoNISM AGAIN DISCUSSED.
Debate in the Senate on the Statehood Bill

Washington, Feb. 13-An immense crowd at
tracted TO the Senate to-day TO hear the prayer
delivered by General William Booth, commander
in chief Of the Salvation Army. at the opening OF
the session. Among the occupants of the galleries
Were Booth Tucker, the generals chief assistant
and son-in-law, and a large number of members
of the Salvation Army. The District of Columbia
Appropriation bill was passed. and the resolution
of Mr.. Morgan, calling for the correspondence of
naval officers regarding the military occupation
of the bays of Panama and Colon. adopted
When the Statehood bill came up, Mr.. Depew re-
sumed mis- speech. begun Wednesday, He said
referring to the anu-polygamy provision in the
Statehood bill. that 1t would that the fine
Italian hand of the Mormon Apostle had been at
work in the preparation Of the measure, and that
the concentrated influence of the Mormon hier-
archy could be in the determined effort TO
prevent any amendment which would completely
exclude polygarny" 1t is not disputed, he said,
that the vote of the Mormon Church is absolutely
controlled by the central hierarchy of that organ
ization He declared that the migration of Nor
mons to different States and Territories was not
for the purpose Of securing homes and farms. but.
through compact to control legislation He read
from an alleged address by Bishop Lunt. of the
Mormon Church. exhorting his followers to
main firm in observing the tenets of the church
and thus maintain their power in politics.
Mr. Rawlns said that the address fictitious
and Mr. Depew had been imposed upon He never
knew, he said, of a Bishop Lunt of the Mormon
Church. and the Mormon Church organ had re-
pudiated the address. Any legislation, Mr.. RAW
Inns declared in any State directed at Mormonism
was futile unless there is public sentiment which
will sustain it. The question not to the
inadequacy of the provisions against polygamy. but
as to the exercise of political power. Persecution
is the seed Of the Mormon Church. he declared.
and it did good to arragn the entire people and
brand every Mormon slave. most unjust
cusation. ITO do that he said you solidffy
those who would aid you in bringing about the
very conditions you seek here" The best possible
school he said. for the correction of these evils
is to erna ncipate the Mormons and leave them free
to work out their own destfnies.
Mr. Stewart declared that polygamy in this
timent has condemned that part of the creed Of
the Mormon Church.
Nr Dubois said he did not think the references
of the opponents of Statehood to polygamy
allowed to be put the Postoff1ce Appropriation
bill he would consent to and advocate the placing
Of the section of the Idaho constitution relating
TO elections amendment, and require Arizona
nf1ted TTnder the test oath of that constitution,
he said Idaho disfranchised every member of the
Mormon Church. and for years they were without
a vote.
people in this country have religious freedom $50
long as religion in its practice does not strike
al the found tons of the family and morality Of
the There be. he said, So-called re-
for crime for the purpose of breaking up the family
circle degradation of wom3nhood and for
the corruption Of childhood
He had not concluded when at $50 p. m. the
Senate went into executive session. and at $40
O'clock adjourned until ! O'Clock tomorrow. the
change from the usual hour being taken to allow
Senators 10 attend the wedding of Senator Cock
rels daughter at noon.