New-York tribune., 1903-02-06
MORMONS IN POLITICS.
POWER OF THE CHURCH.
Senators Describe 1t as a Dangerous
Force.

Washington, Feb. 5.-Discussion of the state
hood bill in the Senate to-day turned on the
question Of polygany. The influence OF the
Mormon Church in politics occupied large
share Of attention. Mr.. Hale characterized the
debate interesting valuable and startling be-
cause it had disclosed a powerful religious or
ganization, exerting itself as a dominant force
over its followers which should be taken into
account III future LEGISLATION. Mr. McComas
started the debate Yesterday by criticising the
Statehood bill as too liberal.
Mr.. Gallinger, replying to-day, said he was
willing that as strong an amendment as coulo
be drawn prohibiting polygamy should be IN
serted in the bill
Mr.. Hale criticised the exercise of power by
the Mormon Church.
NIr. Warren, of Wyoming, asserted that the
Mormons exercised control in his State
Mr.. Dubois, of Idaho declared that no polyg-
amst could occupy any high political place
without the consent Of the first presidency OF
the Mormon Church. The same influence, he
said was exercised in New-Mexico and Arizona
He said that Idaho could control the Mormon
people whenever it so desires. If the MORMON
people should openly, through their hrst presi-
dency interfere in the politics of Idaho. ne
would guarantee to take the stump and ols-
franchise every Mormon in one campaign -
Mr.. Hale replied that the matter was dark
which usually illuminates and enhghtens COM
munities generally in the States.
Mr Teller said that 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.. Rawlns, of Utah, spoke Of the proclaflia
ton of the head of the Mormon Church IN loSo
declaring that polygamy should cease that Ihe
Mormon Church should be taken out OF poll
tics and that Mormons were free TO express
their political preferences as they saw III
Thereupon, he said, opposition to the adnnssloh
of Utah as d State was removed. He declared
however, that the influence of the Mormon
Church in politics in Utah is still an 1mpor
factor.
Mr.. Spooner inquired if the first presidency
could dictate whether or not Mormon shoulo
hold a high political office
Mr. Dubois answered saying that no Mormon
would run for high political office without the
consent of the first presidency
Mr.. Rawlins said that when the approval IS
Given the man goes forth with the benedict1on
of the Church.
while the other man. interJected MT. lh'ie'
'rasts under the frown of the Church
Mr.. Rawlins, replying to Mr.. Hale, said ne
did not know that this was the case with any
other Church Answering Mr.. Spooner' MI
Rawlins said he did not care to enter upon the
question as to whether the full scope OF lIie
power of the Mormon Church ever came 10 the
knowledge of the public. Mr.. RaWllns oecldleu
that there was a large element Whlcn "oulu
overthrow the domination of the Church III lie
affairs of the State because it was obnoxious to
them The disposition to do this, ne saIo' 10
growing. and in Utah conditions were improv-
ing Replying to Mr.. McComas. he admitted
that majority of the members of the leglsIdC-
IRE are members of the Mormon Church, al
though he said, they have not dlscrlhhinaIeo
against non-Mormons on religious grounds.
Mr.. Hale remarked that the debate had been
interesting valuable and startling 1t mad dis
closed he said. a powerful religious orsan1za-
ton exerting itself as a dominant potehtidl
force over the minds and actions OF us IolIo"eiS'
"It is the power to bind and loose, salo ne
IF there is anything in the spirit OF American
Institutions he continued, 1t Is never per
nissible on the part of the authorities OF re
ligious organizations TO exercise cohtIol III
temporal matters over their followers ana 10 IN, n
fuence elections. This day has not oeen IL ~
spent" he declared, lin bringing OUT conoI-
tions that obtain where the Mormon CnurCh
has secured its Judgement he salu tnaS 'lIt
lessons taught ought to sink into the minus oL
Senator's and should De TAKEN Lllo oONN 40
future legislation.
Mr.. Patterson, Of Colorado. said the chief de-
sire of the Mormons is to remain IN lavof WIN
tba nartv in mower Referring to the churches.
Mr. Patterson declared that II any sect was
large enough and strong enough 10 become ~ q
Church would pursue the same course as the
Mormon Church. I-.L .
Mr. McComas cited the law making Utah a
state and said that if the Mormons coulo De
rid Of this dark shadow they would reap Inc Ihe
rewards of their toll and of their trials ne
abolition of polygamy and the domination OF d
secret hierarchy would meet the applause anu
approval of the mass Of our people.
Mr. Ouav said he was mot just now prepared
or authorized" to accept an amendment TO me
hill enobodyine the Edmunds law and applying
- +o Arizona snd New-MeXico. The best way
to settle that question he said. was to fix
dav for a vote the BILL
H- wcComss- continuing characterized the
prohibition of polygamy as contained IN the
Utah enabling act as an impotent pre.snce OF
restriction without any legal efficacy. He hoped
Congress never again would pass such oil!
and thus be recreant to the moral sentiment OF
the country and mankind.
Mr. Kean who had yielded the floor hrst 10
one senator and then another, throughout the
dav started to continue his remarks begun yes
terdav when the Senate went into executive
session and few minutes later adjourned until
tomorrow.