The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-17
Conditions That Now Obtain
In Utah, the Home Of Mormonism
Mineral Resources
the Large Population 1aveM
the tuaion In Recent

litical power. With this power it can cor
rupt the gentiles just as others of weak
moral fiber all over the world may be
bought for money.
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
A presidential campaign is approaching.
The Mormon Church has balance of
power on close elections in Utah and Idaho.
Where the margin is narrow it can control
Wyoming and Colorado Utah and Idaho
have six votes. Wyoming and Colorado
could add materially to this number. The
people of the United States should watch
with interest to see whether this control.
which the Mormon hierarchy has practical
ly for SALE will influence the action of the
Senate, of the great political parties of the
government II the nom Mormons make II
all a matter of barter and sale. of CONNER
cialism without consideration OF the moral
principles involved the solution Will be
difficult. Honesty is needed on both sides
fairness. broadness and enlightenment The
refusal Of the Senate to seat Reed Smoot
policy of the Mormon hierarchy of ad-
vancing those men who yield TO its desires
This hierarchy has made an issue out or
Reed Snoot. 1t is DESTROYS OF finding out
what the people of the Nation would do
should an apostle, completely under the
control of the guiding powers OF the
unseated, this hierarchy will understand
that IL cannot reward ecclesiastical activity
by political office If the people of the United
History briefly reviewed herein has
shown that there are two great influences
which work upon the Mormons toward the
right end. The first is fear OF the penalty
for violation of the law. The second is the
sentimental ideal of uplifting the people.
The rejection of Smoot would act as pun
ishment of the controlling forces or the
hierarchy, who determined to control
politics as far as they may, and TO dictate
terms to such degree as they can TO the peo-
pie of the United States. This rejection
would be a blow against the political in
fiuence. II is worthy of consideration
whether a constitutional amendment put
ting the prosecutions for polygamy and
polygamous practices under federal controi
would not work in the right direction. Un-
der present conditions these prosecutions
are subject TO local political influences.
Mormons are likely TO be drawn on Juries.
mon vote at the next election. Should IT
be practical TO take this whole matter out
of the State jurisdiction and place it in the
hands of the United States government
punishment would be continually hanging
over the heads of would-be violators of the
law, which they would be more likely to
feel would be swift and sure. Whether such
an amendment would be practical In Its
general application over the Nation re-
mains for the legislative bodies to work out.
If the people outside of Utah will only be
charitable, be fair, and be just if they will
help in the punishment of wrong doing,
carefully segregating those who are di-
rectly responsible for crimes from others
who may be close TO them, the people OF
this State can do the rest. This much
granted, the solution of the Mormon prob
lem lies in the rocks and the soil of Utah.
EFFECT OF RAILROADS.
At the present moment three great rail-
roads, in addition to the number already
there, are being built into Salt Lake City.
They are connecting the Mormon Zion by
two more routes with the Pacific coast and
by another route with Denver and the rail-
roads centering there Already the center
of Mormonism is in the hands of the gen.
tiles. The railroads must inevitably mean
the influx of a larger number of outsiders.
In the State of Utah the greatest known
deposits of high-grade iron ore in the
world. Here also are the greatest unde-
yer, lead copper and gold and other min
erals pay greater dividends than do the
mines of Colorado, State celebrated for
its metal resources. Petroleum is being
developed In various parts of the State.
prospectively in great quantities. The
Uintah Indian reservation. containing some
of the richest grazing and mineral land in
the West, will soon be opened for settle
ment. The greatest irrigation project be-
fore the government is in a fair way to-
ward being undertaken and completed. This
would open up a million acres of now al
most valueleSs land to cultivation, and
would furnish the means of subsistence for
an enormous population.
People must not expect the solution OF the
problem TO be on Utopian lines. The most
substantial ground for optimism in this
matter is that people can make money by
going to Utah. The record of the score or
OF gentle mllionaires in Salt Lake City
is conspicuous testimonial to this fact.
If people from all over the world can make
money better in Utah than they can in most
other places, and can realize this fact, there
will be a great increase in the population
from outside. Already the gentiles are in
the majority in nearly all the leading cities
of the State. With the natural increase
worthy OF the undeveloped resources, they
should soon be in an overwhelming ma
jority in the State. This class of popula-
ton is naturally in favor of the utmost de-
velQpment of free schools and is opposed
to Glowing any church to take the attitude
of political machine or to allow any hier-
archy to dictate of the affairs of state.
its effect upon those within the church.
They will naturally be given encourage
ment in their movement, already well un-
der way, TO make the church abandon
polygamy TO keep out of politics, and to
take its place as a purely religious body.
When this is done the Church of Jesus
Christ OF Latter-day Saints will not be a
menace to society nor a danger to the gov
eminent. but will be living well within the
privileges guaranteed religious bodies by
the Constitution of the United States. And
the Mormon problem VIII be solved.
EUGENE BOYLAN PALMER.
copyright, 1904.