The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-06-03
MORMONS
ARE GOOD
STAYERS
DR.. 7. c. Iliff Dis
cuSSeS the Case of
Reed SmOOt
Secretary of the Methodist
Church Extension Society
Talks Interestingly Of
Conditions In Utah

- tu
Dr. T. c. nln. secretary OF the
Methodist church extension society,
who is in Tacoma In his official ca.
pacity has been prevailed upon.
somewhat against hts inclinations. TO
speak Tuesday evening at the First
Methodist church ON the subject OF
Mormonism. As head OF the Utah
mission OF the Methodist church at
Salt Lake City. DR. Hin was fire.
brand among the Mormons for quar-
ter OF a century. He was head Of the
committee that took upon It's should
ers the task OF oustlng Roberts from
the senate. lie and his friends are
now active in the compalgn against
Reed smoot
After his sermon last night at the
First Methodist church. which was
on religious lines Dr. lin talked with
Ledger reporter on the subject
which has occupied such large
share OF his busy lifetime.
The difficulty In our fight against
Reed smoot" said he. "ls that we
haven't anything 30 definite and tan.
gible to work upon as In the case OF
Roberts. smoot Is not a polygRmist
At least he says he is not. met
him the other day In Washington and
he reminded me that | had known
him from boyhood and should know
that he never lived with but one wife
told him that was obliged to ac
cept this statement Of his case as far
as II went. but that my sole ground
OF opposition TO him was not polyga
my"
"Do you oppose Senator Smoot on
religious grounds?" Dr nin wal
asked.
Why He Opposed smoot.
No" he relied. Il oppose him be
cause his sworn duty 10 his religion 4
greater than his duty TO his country
The Mormon believes that bis bish
ops and leaders are endowed with
divine right 20 rule; that thcy are ca
pable OF ruling over all others. Thi
Is one OF the cardinal principles o
Mormonism. They do not separate
church and state. but place th'
church first and the state second
smoot should not be allowed 10 holt
his place because Utah has not KEEP
its promise as a state. Before utal
was admitted there was a promise o
absolute segregation OF church an'
state and complete abandonment o
polygamous practices. In both In
stances the promise has been Ia
nOred. There is state law. 20 b.
sure. against polygamy. but Il Is no
enforced. The Mormons run th
state. and the officials refuse TO taxi
cognizance OF the practice. PolyR
amy has been resumed almost 10 th'
same extent as formerly and Their
seems 20 be no way Of getting at I
now. In spite OF It's constitution an'
It's laws. Utah Is a pOlygamous state
because the church Is dominant AM
30 Wills IT, In spite OF the Inhibition
OF me constitution the church regu
lates all branches OF politics smoo
could not have been elected withou
the influence OF the church. lie wa
tho churchs candidate. and that d
ground enough for opposition 20 him
But whether or not that is sufficient
ly tangible 70 appeal TO congress re
mains to be seen
DIR. lin was asked as 10 his opln
ion Of the spread of MoImonism.
Never So Dangerous as Nov.
'Mormonlsm." said he. was neve
so dangerous as at the present tune
simply because Of the political In
nuence Il has acquired With two
thirds OF the population, Il has Utal
absolutely in its power. Idaho Is al
30 under Mormon Influence, and Ne
vada. Oregon, New Mexico and othe
states are also proselyted. The dan
ger from this influence would not b
so great II politicians did not cate
10 Il. but politicians cannot Away
be relied upon"
"Do you believe that Mormonisn
will become a serious menace" va
asked
Il think IL does not contain the ole
ments 70 even make Il the source o
national trouble. bat II the Mormon
should succeed IN the neat few year
IN aIecting ave Or ten Western unite'
states senators and consfessmen
they could 20 impergnaie themheive
By securing legislative concession
that the evil would be hard 10 uprool
OF course. 20 man Who y nominali