The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-06
ANTITRUST BILL
IN LOWER HOUSE.
Debate on elll Itself Did Not Develop
Much Animation, Though Theirs
Was Lively Discussion Over
Rule Under Which House
is TO Operate inlts
Consideration.
tBy Associated Press. ,

WASHINGTON, F'ebrulary 6.-The dis
cussion Of the statehood bill In the sen-
alto to-day turned on the question Of
poly gamy. A number OF Senators who.
heretofore have taken no part IN tho
debate. participated In the discussion.
Mr.. McComas had started the debate yes
terday by criticising the pending bill
as being too liberal. and when the subject
came up to to-day Mr.. Gallinger adverted
to his remarks, and said that he was in
favor OF an amendment covering this
question as strong as could be drawn.
The influence Of the Mormon Church
over politics occupied a large share OF
the debate, which Mr.. Hale characterized
as interesting, valuable and startling, be.
cause it had disclosed a powerful religious
organization '.exerting itself as a domi-
nant, potential force over the mind and
action OF its followers which should
be taken into account in future legisla-.
ton. s&5
Mr.. Dubois. of 1dah declared that no
polygamist could occupy any high poli-
/ teal place s1sitheut- the consent Of IhA'
first presidency OF the Mormon Church.
The same influence. he said, was ex-S
ercised in New Mexico and Arizona. He
said that Idaho could control the Nor
mon people whenever 1t so desires
Mr.. Halo replied that the matter was
dark element that cannot be penetrated
by the light that usually enltghtens COM
fmunities in these States. Mr.. Teller said
the Mormon Church is all-powerful, and
that whenever It spoke through its first
presidency. the great body OF the church
responded TO the demand that was made-
Mr.. Rawlins (Utah) declared that thes
Mormon Church influence In politics in
Utah is an important factor.
POWERFUL INFLUENCE. 4Ss
Mr.. Spooner inquired IL It was true that
the first presidency could dictate whether
or not Mormon should hold a high po-s
litical office.
Mr. Dubois answered 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.
prova Is given, the man goes forth with
the benedlction Of the church.
while the other man." nterjected Mr.
Hale. rests under the frown OF this
church"
Mr. Rawlins declared that there was
a large element which would overthrow
the church domination In the affair&-nf
State. because It was obnoxious to them
The disposition to do this, he said. Is
growing and that in Utah conditions
were improving. He admitted. replying
to Mr.. McComas. that a majority Of the
Legislature are members of the Mormon
C.4urch, although. he said. they have
not Disseminated against nom -Mormons
on religious grounds. II there Is anything
In the spirit OF American institutionsl
said Mr.. Hale. 1t is that 1t Is nexsr
permissible on the part Of the authorities
of religious organizations to exercise con-;
troll in temporal matters over their fol-3
lowers and to influence elections.
This day has not been III spent" he
declared, ''in bringing out conditions that
obtain where the Mormon Church has
secured Its lodgnent."
Mr.. Quay said he was mot Just now
prepared Or authorized" to accept an
amendment to tho bill elnbodying the
Edmunds law and applying 1t to Arizona
and New Mexico. The best way to
settle that question. he said. was to flS
n day for vote on the bill.
After some further remarks by Messrs
Patterson, McComas and others. tho Sen.
ate went into executive session. and sooE
after adjourned until tomorrow.
In the House.
fBv Associated Pressl
WASHINGTON, February 5.-The anti
House to-day. did not develop much ami
nation, although there was fairly large
attendance in the galleries. The rule un>
der which tho House vas to operate.
however, preclptated n lively discussion.
Messrs, Richardson OF Tennessee; Flen,-
ing, of Georgia and Clayton of Alabama.
protested vigorously against the rule for
consideration of the bill, because 1t did
not permit them to secure n record vote
on a substitute. but the Republicans res
piled that they We're willing to accept the
responsibility, The bill to expedite prose
cutions occasioned no debate. IT passed
the House, as 1t did the Senate. yester-
day. without a word of debate. Mr.. Pow
ers of Massachusetts. made the opening
argument for his side OF the House on
the judiciary Committee bill, and Mr..
Clayton DemocraD, of Alabama, opened
for his side. ~
Mr., Powers. In his speech, declared
that tho pending bill might be entitled
properly "a bill to defend the American
people in their Industrial liherty."
KEEP TiTEM WITHIN BOUNDS
The consolidation of Industry, he said,
was tho result OF an economic evolution.
and could not be stopped All that could
be done was to Insist that these combina
tlons should he kept we'll within certaiR
limits: thar no advantage oyer his smaller !