The San Francisco call., 1904-04-21

showing that at least two apostles re-
Gently took plural wives and that one
of the leaders among the young men
was presumably guilty of a similar
offense.
Judge Powers was appointed from
Michigan to the bench in Utah while
the prosecutions for polygamy under.
the Edmunds- Tucker law were at their
height. Ever since that time he has
been a conspicuous figure in Utah pub
lie life. After retiring from the bench
he became active in politics. The cam
paign in 1890 between the Liberal party,
or gentlles, and the Peoples party, or
Mormons, In Salt Lake City was one
Of the most picturesque and exciting
that ever took place. Judge Powers
was chairman of the Liberal campaign
committee. He won decisive victory,
electing George NJ. Scott, gentle busi-
ness man, Mayor, and filling all the 9TH
er municipal offices with gentiles. Since
that time he has always been more or
less conspicuous during important cam
paigns. He was chairman Of the Dem
ocratic State Committee during the
first campaign in Utah under state
hood In that fight the Mormon church
violated its pledge, given only few
months before, that it would never
again interfere in politics in any way.
The Democratic State Convention nom
mated John T. Caine for Governor and
Brigham H Roberts for Congress, in
dorsing Moses Thatcher, then an apos
tie, for the United States Senate. The
Mormon hierarchy sent word to church
members throughout the State that
Thatcher and Roberts must be defeat
ed because they had accepted these
nominations without first securing the
consent of the first presidency and the
quorum of twelve apostles. Judge
Powers became conspicuous through
leading the combat against church in
fluence. The fight was unsuccessful
then, but he has been prominent on
that side ever since. Judge Powers is
a strong Senatorial possibility himself,
in case Utah should go Democratic this
fall.
AS a result of their attitude during
this campaign. Thatcher and Roberts
were disciplined by the church.
Thatcher made valiant fight for in
dependence and came within one vote
of being elected United States Senator.
The church succeeded in electing Jo-
seph L. Rawlins, preferring him, an
apostate and an open opponent of the
church in politics, to one Of their own
number who sought to maintain po-
liticaI independence. Thatcher was de-
posed from his church position and was
saved from communication only by
making a humble apology. 1t is be-
lieved he would have left the church
if he had been a monogamist. AS he
had more than one wife and they
would have lost all position in society
if he left the church and renounced it's
doctrine of polygamy, he humbled him
self and remained a Mormon. This
experience has left him a broken-spir-
tied man, however 1t was a great
blow to the political independence of
individual Mormons.
Thatcher may be questioned closely
about the marriage relations of one of
his daughters, Clarice. 1t is said that
he opposed bitterly her becoming the
plural wife a couple Of years ago of
Henry S. Tanner, a municipal Judge
in Salt Lake City. Tanner is a leader
of the Young Mems Mutual Improve
ment Society of the Mormon church.
and is accused of having taken two
plural wives within the last few years.
Apostle John Henry Smith has al
ways been active in politics. He is
cousin of the president of the church
and an active polygamist. He was be-
ing groomed for the Governorship four
years ago, but because of the rejection
of Roberts by Congress it was thought
advisable for the polygamists to keep
in the background for a while. Hence
he retired and let Heber M. Wells have
the office for second term. If Apostle
Smith can be induced to tell the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the
truth he will throw a great deal of
light on conditions, especially as re-
CARDS polygamy and politics.
L. e Abbott of Pennington, Utah,
will probably be questioned about the
polygamous practices of two of the
apostles Abbott was formerly Sheriff
of Davis County. In the little village
of Pennington, short distance north
of Salt Lake City, live some of the
plural wives Of Apostle John w. Tay-
lor. Abbott knows about them. 1t is
charged that Taylor married two sis
ters, Roxie and Rhoda Willing, within
the last three years. Taylor is wanted
by the committee, but he has escaped