The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-10-08
MoRMON PERsg CUTI0N

In commenting ON the practices of
the Mormon church, the Salt Lake
Tribune says editorialIy:
There Is young man In Idaho
named William Hyde Stalker, who is
doing wonderful work on the stump
in exposing the interference Of the
Mormon church in politics aud in
business. He is q republican, but
having felt the heavy hand of church
oppression, be considers the question
Of church dominance the paramount
issue, and he Is speaking for the
democratic ticket because Of the de-
olaration In the democratic platform
against pOlygamy, unlawful cohabita-
ton and the Interference OF the
church in politics. And the instances
he gives are facts Of his own sxper-
fence. Let US summarize a few OF
them:
His father, an early settler In
Idaho, was refused credit or help by
the church store, the Zion CoOpera-
tive company, at Franklin. He was
helped by Outsiders" aud for re-
ceiving that help and refusing TO
break with those who we're helping
him, he was suspended fron the
church. Later he was elected TO the
legislature against the bishop of
Franklin, and for the high offeuse
Of daring to run against the bishop,
but more, perhaps for beating him,
he was expelled from the church
Ensuing upon this expulsion, a
boycott and ostrscism OF the utmost
severity, we're put into force against
the whole Stalker family. In MIR.
Stalker's own words, there began a
series Of prosecutions; the Stalker
family was ostracized; they we're not
allowed to associate with their neigh.
bors, OF rather their neighbors we're
not allowed TO associate with Thorn !;
they we're bOycotted in their business
and all the pleasures Of childhood
we're denied to the children Of Alex
andsr Stalker.
The ferocity and vindictiveuess
uf savages could hardly 60 farther
than the so called santa went in
their prosecutions Of a family whose
only offense Was that the father had
accepted needed aid from Jews or
Gentiles when it was refused him
among his brethsren, and that he had
exercised his personal right to run
for an office in opposition to the
bishop Of his church.
Mr.. Stalker speaks of another
instance in the same town Of Frank.
lin, where William Fanehsr Was 'ex-
communicated because he opened up
little store with stock to the amount
of s400 OF 500. And John Cornish
was accommodated Tor trading with
Fancher q COW hide for a pair Of
shoes.
And the speaker stated In his
speech that these were merely sample
instances; there we're many more Of
such cases. Is it any wonder that a
man who has passed through exper-
fences like this should embrace the
first fair opportunity presented to
make var upon the iniquity which he
80 faithfully lays bare?
NAY, would 1t not be a marvel
did he not do soft be did not con-
slider all else, every other Issue. tame
and colorless compared with the
monstrous wrongs which he seeks to
redress! Can any one fail to sympa-
thizs with Mr.. Stalker, and to de-
nounce with him the oppression
which he 80 earnestly drags into
the IimelIght OF the public gaze?
Aud when one does sympathize
with him; when one does feel his
blood run hot with Indignation at
such perversions of American life and
American institutions, let him re-
member that where there we're ten
such cases as Mr. Stalker refers to in
Idaho, there we're a hundred Of them
In Utah, aud that the end lie not yet. {"