Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-01-20
IN THE HOUSE.
Smoof Gels Ten Totes in the Senate,
RauoLnS Slr and Coo Wells 100.

and discord among our people over tie
alleged interference in politics and In
our relations and duties TO the state
and the national government by an au-
thority and influence in our midst lured
from its legitimate sphere In an at
tempt to dominate or control through
religious channels. our civic affairs. II
il not my purpose or intention on this
occasion TO rehearse or enter into dis
cussion Of the affairs of church and
state any further than they appear to
me TO have q direct bearing and appli-
cation on the immediate situation.
An honorable, enterprising and COM
petent young man has been named here
today as a candidate for United States
senator In Utah. | have no word OF
special criticism to offer against him,
and ] wish every ardent supporter OF
that candidate would credit me with
sincerity, when | say that the basis OF
my difference OF opinion with him Is
the doubtful propriety and questionable
wisdom here and now In view Of the
criticism within our state, and that at
large relative TO past and present
political conditions in Utah, Of attempt
ing to eombine the responsibilities OF
church and state in one man. ! am
conscious, gentlemen, that the sugges-
ton OF church influence In the political
situation before us Is resented and
denied by the honorable heads OF the
dominant church In this state and In
40 far as active. aggressive lnterfer-
ence Is concerned, can see that Il has
not been exercised. But, gentlemen,
permit me to ask whether a passive
acquiscence In the selection OF high
church eccleslastlc for political prefer
ment Is not conducive OF engendering
doubt and skepticism In the minds Of
many of our people as 20 the real at
titude OF the dominant church In this
matter. and whether II will not give
rise to accusations Of bad faith and Bit
ter reproach.
II Is my belief that II Is inconsistent
and unwise 10 place a dual obligation
Of such nature upon any man auj
that my view Is shared by some Of the
higher officials In the Church OF which
your candidate Is a prominent and con-
spicuous member ask the Indulgence
Of the senate while read short ex-
tract from a public and official utter
ance on that question. (Here Mr.. Law
renee read at length from what he
Now, gentlemen. | believe that today,
large following within the dominant
Church of this state are absolutely sin.
cere In taking that view OF the present
situation, and believe that am vote
ing the sentiments Of large part OF
my constituency In my opposition TO q
high Church official for exalted po-
litIcal office within our state. with
FOL Of .nll Toll a
ment. hut with an honest and sincere
motive. 20 act for what believe to be
for the future peace and welfare OF all
the people Of our state ] am not pre-
pared TO yield my personal convictions
In this matter and endorse the action
Of majority OF my fellow members
In this Legislature believe your at
titude In this matter h reactionary In
It's effects. that II clouds the future po-
litical horizon IN this state with doubt
and uncertainty: that II win be
productive OF a recurrence OF old
anlmosities. chickering's and dlssensions;
that Il will arouse widespread pre-
jrdice In the nation al large agains, our
people at home; be construed as an eva
sion. II not a direct violation. OF our
state constitution In which II il ~.
cited, there shall be no union OF
church and state. nor shall any church
dominate the state or interfere with it's
functions" And finally that II Is not
IN harmony with the spirit OF American
Institutions, In placing high church
officials OF any denomination In our
national Congress"
Senator Sherman said that he and
Senator Lawrence had held confer.
snce at which II was agreed that Mr..
Lawrence should te the Spokesman OF
their views. He wanted II distinctly
understood that be endorsed the Views
81 Mr.. Lawrence. and therefore voted
for Governor Wells