The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-02-17
Continued from Yesterday

MI. Dubois-Mr. President. I do not
care to enter into any controverSv
Win the senator from Wyoming (Mr.
Warren). was answering the allega-
oton IN regard to polygamy. The SEN
ator from Maryland (Mr McComas)
stated that there would soon he a
mormon majority in Arizona: that the
Mormeps numbered one-fifth of the
population now and would soon be two
hfths, or think he said. or majority
doubt that very much. So far as
tnat is concerned states like Idaho and
these proposed new states can easily
control the Mormon people whenever
| lhey SO desire. If the Mormon people
should fagrantly, through their first
presldency-those who have authority
openly Interfere in politics in Idaho I
would guarantee to take the stump in
that state and disfranchise every Nor
mon in one campaign.
Mr.. Hale-Is it from the first presi-
dencleS in the different states or is it
from the first presidency IN Utah
whom we might call the primate of
Utah, that the Mormon people take
their directions?
Mr.. Dubois-They take their direc-
lions from the first presidency of the
Mormon church, which consists of the
president and two councillors, who are
twelve, and who are called the second
and third presidents, the three being
known as the first presidency of the
Mormon church.
Mr.. Hale-In each state?
Mr.. Dubois-No, in Utah. This tri-
Umvirate constitutes what is known as
the first presidency of the Mormon
church They have a presidency of the
stake, which is the highest authority in
Idaho. The supreme power is given
these three presidents in Utah.
Mr. Hale-In Utah?
Mr.. Dubois-Yes. They have presi-
dents in their different territories and
states In Idaho for instance. thew
nave two or three presidents of stakes
ds Ihey cal them, who are presidents
over large erea, embracing a great
IIaIy Mormons. imagine they have a
president of the stake in Wyoming
Those presidents of the stakes have
no authority politically over their fol-
lowers They can be Republicans and
go on the hustings. as they do, and
contend for the principles of the Re-
publican party; but a Democratic Nor
mon VINO occupies very subordinate
position IN the church can answer them
IN Just as Incorporate language as any
public speaker answers another, and
VIII not be checked for it. But when if
Is understood that the first presidency
wants something done they can send
their orders out into Idaho and every
where else, and they will be obeyed.
say-and at some other time I NAV
take up this question again-that If If
were not for outsiders we would have
settled this question. But we can take
care of it in these territories and states.
because what is being done is being
done in measure under cover, and
every time authority is exercised which
we can trace pretty close to the first
presidency, Il makes a tremendous dis
turbance and is bitterly resented, not
only by Gentiles, but by many Nor
mons as well.
Mr.. Hale-Stil it is a very serious
condition which the senator has stated
to us. that this silent authority, ac-
countable not to the state not to the
nation, not to the officers of the presi-
dency of the state. but to the central.
potential force represented
by the first president and his assO- |
ciates in Utah-raises a very profound !
problem for the senate to deal with in |
these states. The senator knows as !
he knows history, that it has been one |
1f the most difficult things to deal with I
people who hold, any allegiance aside /
from that to the gOvernment-an ale |
glance which may be, as suggested to i
ne by the senator from Wisconsin (Mr. /
Spooner), an oath bound allegiance, |
but. if not, is dominating in the mind !
If the person who is subject to that in
1uence.
The senator thinks that the states
an deal with that question, but it
brings to my mind a clearer apprecia-
ion-while we have abolished polyga-
ny, as I think we have as a future
practice, and 1 think the senator is
light about that-it presents to my
mind as never before the danger of the
of the Mormon church in
hose localities in the future as a dark
dement, that cannot be penetrated by
he light shat usually Eliminates and
communities generally in the
tates. It is an inside influence; it is
ernicious, and may be fraught with
he most serious mischief. 1 think the
enator feels that himself.
Mr. Dubois want to be perfectly
lear. OF course the Mormon first
residency deny absolutely that they
xercise this power. They insist that
heir hands are entierly out of politics.
Mr.. Spooner-Do they deny that they
re politicians?
Mr.. Dubois-They say that they do |
OF try to exercise political control any ,
lore than does the bishop of any other
hurch, and we find a great many men !
Ike my friend. the senator from Wy ,
ming (Mr. Warren, who has plenty of /:
lOTAnOHS III MS Sldtes VINO i1fSfSl iEdL
lie Mormon church is no different from
ny other church. They do not openly
reclaim this power, nor do they openly ..
xercise this power.
think that no one will deny my 5
atement that a great many of the 9
ounger element who have tasted the
NeetS of political life and who are
Indicates for office on ticket do not @
Ike to have orders issued from Salt 6
axe that the ticket on which they are c
inning should be defeated. In my /
ate during the last campaign, in one I
,unty where we had a ticket which a
light to have been elected. the leading c
ormon of that county, who was rum @
ng on the ticket, said: I'VE had bet :
T withdraw CUR ticket. because the Z