The Washington times., 1904-04-23

known as a leader of thought in the
State and a prominent man in other
ways. but this did not save him.
Opposed by Young Mormons.
Senator McComas asked the witness
what is the present attitude of the
younger Mormon element toward the
practice of polygamy.
Il can safely say the younger men
and the younger women of the church
are opposed to the practice. strongly or
posed TO it, witness replied. Although
/ have often been surprised at the pow
er of the church. il is my firm. con-
scientious opinion. that if the church
We're 70 attempt By revelation or other
wise. 10 re-cstablish pOlygamy. il would
have trouble in doing SO.
There is a feeling OF liberation for
the continuation Of -polygamous cohabi-
tation by the Older members of the
church. M the belief thar it VIII die u
MeComas at the Tabernacle.
Senator McComas said he had been
in the Mormon Tabernacle in 1879. and
that Brigham Young had IN that occa-
sion urged tie young men TO marry.
He inquired whether the expense Of
maintaining several domestic establish
AANAAAa A4aA AIOA 10 ED-4lC NAlt+lL dA4tNLEQ
the continuation OF the practice.
Witness thought that explanation
might be in order. Our young women
are beginning 20 be more like tie women
OF the rest Of the world, witness add
ed- They are EeJuEG more IN the habit
OF wearing gOOd clothes u dressing
up and taking an interest in the pleas
ureS Of the rest of the world We want
To feel we are e rart of the great na>
Doesn't the plural wife have the
a0ciaI standing nat the first wife
dces!' inquired Senator Hopkins.
"Oh. did not mean to intimate other
wise. replied the witness. II think
they have the same STANDING"
The utctatlOn Of the church in political
matters and its effect on The younger
element Of the church. on men WHO
were politically ambitious was taken
At the time Of the r-eeoavened con
EentiCn, 81 Wnicn 1 spoke on Friday,
they were more FESTIVE, witness said.
Neither before nor since that time
nave We had the free expression of opin-
ion that we had at hat time.
some people submit readily. some
pr~otesungly. and some viii not submit
at al 70 the dictates of the church. /
dc not think there - any basis for the
report that there is "a liberal movement
IN salt Lake 10 resist church controk
j ave seen IL in the public press. in
DISPATCHES coming from Utah, but l do
not believe there is any truth in it AZ
al
Reason for liberation.
Asked whether he could explain why
polygamous relations are not prosecuted
with vigor today, witness said:
Il VIII do so as well as 1 an. I viii
STATE The views OF those who are known
as the rold guard of the liberal party
who fought the church when it was a
great power. They feel that if the
church viii only stop new plural mar
riages and let this matter die out, they
Will be satisfied.
I'VE recognize shere a condition which
the people Of the East do not realize,
ard cannot realize, perhaps. First of
ali. We want peace. We want Utah to
be q State like the rest OF the Ountry
The Mormon people are a G~OG-fearing
people. and IL has been a part of their
faith ana their life to believe in these
things as rishtful practices. 1t is a
question for statesmen To solve"
witness u that the Mormon wife
IS as sincere as true 10 the faith.
in admitting that she Is a plural wife.
as any woman in the East is to admit
she is the wife Of one man.
Senator Hopkins inquired as TO what
Is the present public opinion on dealing
with pOlygamy-
" have had TO decide as to what is
the best policy 70 pursue under the cir
cuuatance5 witness replied. But for
broad and tolerant reasons. the people
q Jtah ave tried 10 be quiescent as to
present conditions and hope for better
ulings IN tEe future. +
Il have honestly tried not to knox
about such matters commented the
witness. IN relation " plural marriages.
Nlt there are any pOiygamous marriages
at the present time. ] think they are
sporadic"
Worse Than Polygamy.
Some surprise was caused at his
Juncture hy the commen Of the witness
that. ia lis opinion. the polygamous
marriage SIS not the worst feature of
the Mormon religion" ske what IS
the worst feature. he said:
1t is the uu-American domination by
The hierarchy over the people of TINT
faith. Il is the teaching that the head
Of that body is inspired. IL is the con-
rFol Of the church over politics. II is
The lntCrHingling Of church influence in
lae business life Of our people through
The headship OF the president Of the
church, IN many great industrial cor
~poratlons, as trustee IN trust for the
church, and the control that that church
tries.
Senator Pettus asked whether the wit
ness could give the estimated value OF
tne CORPORATE interests dominated by
thc Mormon church. Witness said he
could not give "A complete list, but
named the electric light. street railway
hltn houses. and other interests. He
said IL was not difficult for the Mormon
church 10 set franchises from the Salt
Take City counc Formerly IL was 8
q 8 Republican. but now consisted OF
8 Alorrlous and Gentiles.
Senator Hopkins said the Methodist
church owned much property in Chi
cago, ana MI WOrthingtOn added Trim
ity church IN New York.
A Trust" Says McComas.
The Mormon church in Utah IS a
trust2' suggested Mr.. McComas. and TO
this j witness assented.
Senator Bailey jokingly suggested that
f Mr. Hopkins would have q Methodist
hishop subpoeraed 10 testify as to the
activity of that church la real estate
ln chicago. some comparison might bes
Rad. Ar. Hopkins pleasantly RETAINED
from accepting the suggestion. and Mr..
Bailey afterWard received permission of
The chairman 70 revise that portion Of
The testimony Of Mr.. Hopkins and elimi-
nate Whatever had no direct bearing
Oh the testimony Of the witness.
FRFNGHAAN VIM WAGFR