The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-06-11
TURNER AGAINST AORNONS
Would UNgEAT REED sMOOF


* Senator George Turner viii
back Bsnstor Pred 7. Dubois in the
anti Mormon fight which the Iattsr
win wage It the ST. Louis convsn-
tiOn, says Tbs spokesman Review.
Senator Dot ois and tha Idahn del
egation will seek to have incorpor-
nted IL the democratic national plat
form . declaFation in favor a. al
amendments % the constitution o.
the United BATES which viii author
ixs congress 70 fass q law suppress
sing polygany eseEywhere within the
Jurisdiction Of the United States.
Judge Turner said last night that the
Idaho movement has bis sympathy.
The uhoIs Mormon program, .
said Judge Turner, SIS conspiracy
against the constitution Of the Unitsd
States. Tho church seeks to arrognte
70 itself tbs absolute right. to dictate
the political ASTON Of its communi-
canEs. Il d0minstes absolutely the
politics Of Utah. and Il Is seeking 10
extend over Idaho the same dictator
ial sway which II exercises over Utah.
Such 3 condition. il is unnecessary to
point ont, II utterly abhorTent TO
every principle Of Americanism.
"Utah was admitted into the IN
ion with solemn understanding aud
promise that polygsmy would be pro-
hibite5 Ia that state, and the prac
tice Of Il wap forbidden By the Utah
constitution. bot the revelations
made 10 the Emoot investigation are
sufficient 70 satisfy anybody that the
promise has not been kept. II Il
clear that poiyRamy lie still being
practiced. and that the heads Of the
Mormon church are encouraging its
practices ia open detinauce a the con
stitution Of Utah and Of the agree
ment with congress. whereby Utah
was admitted as a safe.
Prior TO the admission Of Utah
the church issued a proclamation
avoRing its intention to keep out OF
politics, and 70 leave it, eommuni.
cants free to exercise their own polit.
ical judgment. That promise. toe.
has been broken and Mr.. Smoot had
&c get the consent Of the church be
fore be could be a candidate for
United States senator. and it was also
proven that Moses Thatcher. an ap-
ostle Who sought election to the sen
ate without first obtaining the Per
mission OF the church. was degraded
from his apostolic office, and badly
injured in financial way.
IL is a matter Of common knowi.
edge that the Mormon church claims
and exercises the right to dictate TO its
COMMITMENTS how they shall vote.
and that has established a political
in the guise Of religion.
The Idaho democrats, as | under
stand their program, continued
Judge Turner, ''belieys that the only
way of reaching the church. and fore
Ing il to abide by its agreements, ~
we'll as 70 break up the practice OF
polygamy. is through federal law.
believe that the menace Of Nor.
nonism to American institutions is
sufficient TO Justify federal interior.
ance, and l am willing 20 cooperate
With the people Of Idaho. Who are
more Immediately threatened, in com
hitting the democratic party in
lavor Of such interferenoe.
DO you believe that Senator
Smoot should be unseateds" was
,sked.
"a most certainly do, i" was the re-
by. mo man can read the evidence
which has been taken before the sen.
tie committee on privileges aud cleo
ions without reaching the conclusion
hat Mr.. Smoot Was elected as r..
uit OF the politico. reiigious con
piracy and by reason Of the church
Interference In politics. Under such
circumstances be IL not entitled TO
eat.