The sun., 1903-02-06
MORMON CHURCH IN POLITICS.
STARTLING ADMISSIONS ~ DE-
BATE ~ THE SENATE.
No Mormon Gan Aspire TO High Political
Position without the Consent OF the
First Presidency-Th church All.
Pow erfui When II Exerts Its influence.

POWerful Wnen u ENerts s'e IhHue1ce'
WASHINGTON, Feb Sin the Senate to-
day Mr. Quay objected to consideration OF
one or two small bills offered by other
Senators and gave notice that for the re-
mainder OF the session he would not permit
the passage Of bills under unanimous
consent.
When the Statehood bill was taken up
a discussion arose regarding polygamy
and tn. relations of the Mormon Church
to politics in the West Mr.. Dubois Dem.
Idaho) said. in reply to questions by Mr..
Hale, that no Mormon could aspire to a
high political position without first obtain
ing the consent Of the First Presidency Of
the Mormon Church. This same influence
of the Church over politics, he said, existed
in New Mexico and Arizona. All this
exercise Of political influence by the First
Presidency, he said. was under cover. He
said Idaho and the other States with a
Mormon population could handle the
problem, IL outsiders would not interfere.
Mr.. Hale said he feared this was a much
greater task than the Idaho Senator
thought.
Mr., Teller dem, Col) said he agreed
that the Church was all-powerful whenever
u chOse 10 exert ls luIlueIlte III pOiit'r,
and that il the First Presidency should
issue orders the great body Of the Church
would obey them. But he doubted that
these instructions were often given.
Mr.. Platt (Rep., Conn does the Sena<
tor go so far az TO suppose that IL an officer
of the Government who is Mormon finds
that his duty az an officer clashes with his
duty to the Church, he will obey the man
date of the Church as against his official
oath?
Mr.. Teller-I do not suppose that such
case will ever occur. SO far IA | know
the First Presidency enters into politics
only to the extent that they say they would
like this or that man elected TO Office. Nor
monism is not and never will be factor
in the Western States. They are not in
clined to enter politics
Mr.. Rawlins Dem, Utah) said the belief
was general in his State, among Mormons
and non -Mormons alike that the political
influence OF the Church was very
important factor.
Mr.. Spooner (Rep., Wis asked il it was
true that the Church could dictate whether
member should be candidate for
political Office.
Mr.. Dubois interrupted TO say that the
order given by the Church was that no
person holding a high ecclesiastical posi-
iion should be a candidate for high political
2tiice, without the consent Of the Fint
Presidency.
Mr.. Rawlins replied to Mr.. Spooners
question by practically saying that il
Mormon should be a candidate for Office
without consent it would be with handicap;
while, IL he first obtained sucn consent, he
would go forth with the blessing OF the
Church. and, therefore, as a matter OF fact
Mormons do usually obtain such consent.
Mormons were subject to excomnu-
nication for violation of this rule.
Mr.. Spooner-Has the full scope Of the
power of the Mormon Church over it's
members ever come TO the knowledge OF
Mr.. Rawlins-Well, the matter has been
| discussed exhaustively before.
Mr.. Spooner-Does the senator know
whether the members of that Church take
| an oath?
MIR Rawlins is a matter that
| do not care to dirt us.
He added that there had been great pre- r
| ress In the last few years In the emanol-
| patton OF the Mormon people from this
political domination. The Mormons, he
| said, did not make issue against non Nor
mons on account Of their religious be-
| lief, but they brought about results TO their
! liking by methods which he did not know,
but with which all were familiar.
Mr. Hale said that the discussion Of the
tie presence in certain States and Terri
tories Of a powerful religious organization.
a Church not asserting a practice that IL
Lci.eNed by American people to fe wicked
H. ts reSults-the practice of polygamy-
hut asserting itself rs a dominating politi-
cal force over the mir d. ard actions OF lie
followers. A IL rarchy controlling the
actions of theIneintrrs Of the C..urch As
citizens was one Of the discloeures This,
he said, was against the spirit Of American
| Institutions and one of the first things
which the American people objected to
'he interference or domination Of the
CGurch in temporal matters. The power
| to di, tate IN elections was the power 70
| bind and loose-a dangerous power which
| should lie borne in mind by Senators in
| future legislation.
MIR McCoinas (Rep. Md suggested
| that the Edmunds Anti ohabitation act
should bc added to the Statehood bill a. an
| amendment.
Mr. Qu1y said he was not prepared or
| authorized 10 accept the amendment, but
| if date was fixed for vote on the bill
| he would promise consideration Of the
proposed amendment
| The Senate then went into executive
| aao.inn apJ af,.rwn rd o1 in, rpad