The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-20

society. A common trick is to spring up
candidate, in previously uncontested cleo
tions. about an hour before the polls open.
thus hoping to viii by default. In school
elections and in others the principal factor
in Mormon success in gentle cities. such
as Salt Lake and Ogden, has been the
apathy of the gentiles, or n-Mormons.
movement is now taking. shape. however,
to organize the gentiles to combat the
church influence.
Scarcely had the Church Of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints promised solemnly
that all attempts TO influence the votes of
its members would be abandoned, when II
became extremely active in an election. In
fact, the first opportunity was seized. Utah
was admitted to the Union in 1896. Taking
the ground that the old control over politi-
cal affairs had been relinquished, Apostle
Moses Thatcher became candidate for the
United States Senate, without securing the
consent of the authorities and, in the same
way, Brigham II. Roberts, another leading
church official, accepted the nomination for
member of Congress. Owing to the fact
that under the Republican national admin
iStratio had come the greatest. trouble TO
the Mormon people, Utah was Democratic
by an overwhelming majority. A canvass
showed that, under ordinary circumstances,
victory for the Democrats was beyond queS-
ton: There was a meeting of the priest
hood about the middle of the campaign,
however. Following this the word came
that the Mormon hierarchy had determined
to defeat Roberts and Thatcher because
they had not sought the consent of the
church leaders before entering into a po-
litcal campaign. TIE fight was hot. The
church, acting through the usual channels,
succeeded Arthur Brown and Frank j.
Cannon, Republicans, were elected to the
United States Senate. :.
Apostle Thatcher was undaunted He
took the ground that no church should as
sumo to dictate his political course. He
Legislature of 1897. For days. through
ballot after ballot, he was unable to main
tain the support of large number of fear
At last the church threw its vote to John
l.. Rawlins, an apostate from the faith and
an opponent Of the church in politics. rath-
er than to let the principle of action In
temporal AFFAIRS by prominent church
man, with its consequent influence on the
lay members, prevail Rawlins was elect
ed over Thatcher by one vote.
THATCHER LOSES HIS POSITION.
Thatcher was deprived of his position as
an apostle and saved himself from excom-
munication only by an apology. Brigham
H. Roberts. defeated for Congress. saw
the light and made his peace. His reward
was the election TO Congress in 1898. AL
though he is conceded to be a man of great
ability. profound thought and commanding
eloquence, his marital relations deprived
| him of his seat.
Moses Thatcher was made victim as an
|. example to MormOns throughout the world.
1t notice that independence in action,
contrary to the mandates of the priesthood
would be severely punished. Thus did the
hierarchy seek TO exhibit its power TO make
and unmake men.
Ever since that time the church has con-
| tinued TO exercise all the control possible
over its members. 1t took an active hand
in the senatorial campaign of 1899, but
| failed in its purpose by a narrow margin
| There was no election at all that year.
In 300, under agreement, 1t exercised
its influence i'm the national campaign. In
| the winter of 1901 Mormon members of the
| Legislature were summoned TO the office
of the president of the church and were
/ directed to- cast their votes for a gentle,
| Thomas kearns. Enough did SO to insure
| his election.
In 1902 this same power was exerted in
| behalf of Reed Smoot. Apostles, stake
presidents, bishops, block teachers and eld-
| ersi labored zealously. at religious meet
| ings and by personal interviews, to win
over the good Mormons to the cause of the
candidates for the Legislature who favored
Reed Smoot, apostle. Church leaders were
prominent in conventions all over the State.
They worked vigorously with the MEM
bers before election Success crowned
/ their efforts. Smoot was elected.
| SMOOT is SET APART"
Smoot has been ''set apart by the Nor
| mon chiefs, not only as an apostle. but as
| one of the two men whose duty it is to give
| personal attention to the political moves
of the church. The other is Apostle John
| Henry Smith.
1t has happened that in bare majority
of instances this control has been exercised
| in behalf of the Republican party This
occurs merely because the Republican party
has been In national ascendancy, and it is
/ the general policy of the church to main
| tain as much influence as possible with the
| party in power. In the latest municipal
| campaign in Salt Lake the Mormons, as a
| rule, voted for the Democratic candidate.
/ hac rta.aS he nov
| OF the church in politics, women have
been found more willing to take the advice
| of the priesthood in such matters
| Any large corporation railroad other,
/ desires TO have a strong representation in
| the legislative bodies which pass on matters
| directly affecting it. The Church of Jesus
| same position. Every State Legislature
| since the beginning has habits secret lobby
representing this organization. a commit
/ tee Is "set apart 10 serutlnlze. every meas
| ure which is introduced, study lis conse-
| quences and determine whether the Nor
mon members shall vote for IT. AS the
| Mormons have in all instances constituted
| a majority, and the bulk of these can be
| influenced in any matter in which the
| church is vitality Interested. this attitude
| means that the first presidency OF the Nor
| mon Church is able TO dictate all legisla-
/ ton.
| CHURCH LEADERS ARE CRAFTY.
The control is exercised with considerable
discretion. as a rule. Every effort is made
to conceal the directing hand. and TO con-
ciliate the gentiles, with their growing
! power in the State and their overwhelm-
ing control of the Nation.
one of the members of the first committee
thus acting was Franklin S. Richards, now
| counsel for the Mormon witnesses before
the Senate committee on privileges and
| elections. inquiring into the SmoOt case
| The same policy has been pursued in
| succeeding legislatures. AT least one lead
| or is selected TO handle church affairs on
| the floor. Close observers are always able
| TO tell how the controlling vote OF the
| church Will go by watching his attitude
| In the Legislature which elected Smoot the
| committee is said TO have been composed
| of DIR. j. M. Tanner. polygamist, James
SHARP and j. II. Anderson. the last named