The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-20
MORMON CHURCH TO-DAY
SFLAGRANT CESSPOOl OF
POLITICAL CORRUPTION
President and His Bishops Can
Give Tammany Lessons in the
Controlling Of Votes.
LOYAL TO NO PARTY
Latter-Day Saints Affiliate with
the Organization That Is in
the Ascendency.


SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. March "A
Tammany is prattling child in politics be-
side the Mormon Church. The great New
York political organization is closely affili-
ated with one party. The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints can deliver its
vote to either side The object of the lead
ers OF this powerful organization is to main
tain position whereby 1t can control the
balance OF power. This is true not only in
Utah. but in Idaho as an accomplished fact
In close contests. In such States as Wyom-
Ing. Colorado and Oregon. 1t is able to exert
some influence. with the possibility in the
future of Being able to dictate in crises.
Tammany Is thoroughly organized COM
pared with many other political associa-
lions. At the best, however. 1t can control
only the votes of those who owe it loyalty
through party affiliation or 'the cohesive
power of graft The Mormon Church is
strengthened by both these influences. but,
In addition. ii appeals to the religious fer
vor and the trust in divine revelation in
modern times, which makes its devout
members believe that a word from the con-
trolling hierarchy is direct message from
God himself In other words. it appeals.
not only 10 the reason, but 10 the heart and
soul, and long habit makes this appeal all
powerful to those who have not learned to
break away, through the influences of
broader education and the contact with
genties who have taught them the spirit of
independent. American action, outside of
control by any person, corporation or re-
ligious aggregation.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH.
The organization OF the Mormon Church
IS most thorough. At the head is the pres
ident. His two couDselors, forming his
cabinet" constitute. with him. the first
presidency. Nominally coordinate in au-
thority. but in reality subordinate, Is the
quorum OF twelve apostles. Beneath this
are branches in the so-called priesthood.
On one side is the Melchisedek priesthood,
which Is supposed to deal with spiritual
affairs. This is composed of the seventies
and the elders. On the other side, really
3 of far greater Importance, is the Aaronic
priesthood, which is designated to deal
especially with the temporal affairs of the
church and its members. In this line, peXt
below the quorum of apostles rank the pres
tdents of stakes. The stake corresponds
10 a diocese in other religious organiza-
lions. The president of the stake has cab
met of two counselors, and under him are
the bishops of the various wards into which
his jurisdiction is divided. Acting under
the direct eye OF the bishops are the block
teachers. 1t is their duty to visit, at least
once a week. each Mormon In their several
districts. keeping in close touch with the
domestic and temporal affairs, making sure
that the tithing is paid according to the
income. advising as to spiritual and material
matters, and reporting regularly TO the
bishops all that is learned Thus the pres
;. tdent OF the. church-the pope-iS indirectly
in touch with every member.
This makes IL possible 10 send message
. with the utmost dispatch and privacy to
all Mormons. As the president Of the
church is supposed to be the mouthpiece
of the Lord. any message from him has
a weight amounting practically to a COM
mand. II can be transmitted almost in
SPONTANEOUSLY. Suppose the president or
Il to the apostles. The twelve apostles i'm
mediately become active in spreading 1t
TO the presidents Of the stakes by mail
The presidents of the stakes summon the
bishops; the bishops summon the block
teachers and the block teachers Immediate
Nv visit the people and tell them what pur-
ports TO be the word of the Lord.
According TO the Mormon idea, God is
especially. interested in politics, and he
has a vote. dependent upon his word.
which can be bartered to either political
party, according TO the material consider
atoms which there may be. This fact has
had much to do with preserving the polit-
zeal power of the church, for practical
politicians among. the genties all too
frequently willing TO make sweeping
concessions to secure the Mormon vote.
CHURCH HOLDS BALANCE OF POWER.
Not all Mormons in this present day
consent TO be guided by their superiors in
the church. In fact the majority of the
lay members insist upon thinking and act
ing for themselves. Granted this. how
ever, there are a large number who look
10 how they may vote. 1t is said by polit-
zeal leaders In both parties that about 20
per cent of the Mormon votes in the State
of Utah are absolutely controlled by the
church leaders, to be delivered as they
may see fit. Where there is overwhelm-
ing sentiment, this Is not sufficient to turn
an election: but IL amounts to over an
eighth of the total vote, and, under all or
binary circumstances. constitutes the bal
ance of power.
In the days of Brigham Young there was
no separation of church and state. Civil
officers were chosen by President Young
and announced at church meetings.
Before Utah was admitted TO the Union,
the church made a solemn promise to the
people OF tho Nation. as represented by
Congress- that the hierarchy would cease
all attempts to influence the votes of the
church members. Already the non-Mor-
mons had been able TO control the large
cities The church. through its influence
In politics and its UNFOLDING of polygamy.
had caused its property to be escheated,
and IL was willing TO make terms. The OBJ
Ject of gaining the admission of Utah was
achieved The gentiles, who now are al
most half the population of the State. be-
lieving that the church leaders were act
ing in good faith, lent their influence and
Congress consented.
The result that Utah was admitted.
but that the church never relaxed its grip
over political affairs. Having given this
pledge il was inadvisable to work open
Nv as mad been done in the past. The prin-
cipaI difference was that the influence was
subtle and insiduous. rather than public.
Messages were conveyed. but in secret.
! The word was passed along through the
various church officials. until at last the
devout Mormon who had vote told
that il was the Twill OF the Lord for him
10 cast his ballot in favor of certain can
dfdates This has been done in every cleo
ton since Utah was admitted TO the Union
in 1895.
Since statehood and the division party
lines instead of church and anti-church.
almost the only occasions on which Nor
mons are arrayed against non-Mormons
are at the school elections. This is especial
ly true in Salt Lake. There the gentiles
constitute 10 per cent of the population do
ing SO~per cent OF the business. They have
the customary American spirit OF intense
interest In the public schools. At first. the
Mormons fought. this system bitterly. In
1890 when the genties gained by large
majority control of every branch OF the
municipal government of. salt Lake they
established splendid school system, with
fine buildings. One of the most conspicu-
Gus examples of the influence this system
has exerted is the abandonment OF the Nor
mon opposition TO the schools, whcl has
been supplanted by desire To exercise a
potent influence i'm their government.
TRY TO CONTROL THE SCHOOLS.
In almost every school election there has
ha MOrmOnS nd