Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-08-17


Mr.. Chairman. gentlemen of the
convention and ladies and gentlemen:
had not intended addressing this
convention at all. and would not do
10 now had I not learned after adj
journment that a number OF delegates
thought that my silence meant ac-
quiescenoe in the platform, so far as
1t relates to polygamy. which was
adopted last evening.
We are making no fight on the
Mormon church or the Mormon peo-
pie. We are making a fight on some
of the vices Of the Mormon organiza-
ton, and upon some Of the claims of
the high authority which controls that
organization. (Applause.) In their
heart of hearts and as I look them
in the face. l assert there is not a
Mormon here who does not wish me
God-speed in my efforts to put the
leaders OF the Mormon church in Salt
Lake out of Idaho politics forever.
(Cries Of good and much applause,)
Now. II Senator Evans really thinks
there Is no difference between this
resolution and the one offered last
night which was adopted, he, Of
course. will support 1t readily. How
ever, he will oppose 1t vigorously. l
will point out to you very easily the
difference what is necessary In the Id
aho platform and what was necessa J,
in the platform In the rational democ-
racy. The resolution in the platform
of the national party although adequate
for national purposes. does not satisf
at all, nor approach. nor touch local
conditions. Our friends, who are al
ways very observing. were entirely
content with the plank Of the national
platform, so far as it concerned Id
aho. They object to 1t very much.
however, as a national declaration.
will show you the difference in a
moment between the national declar-
alton and this declaration here, al
though there Is but the change of a
word in the first part. and the addi-
ton OF a couple of lines at the end.
The national platform says: I'VE
demand the determination of polyga-
my within the jurisdiction of the
United States, and the complete sep
aration of state and church in polit-
ical affairs" The resolution which
we are now considering says: I'VE
demand the determination of polyga-
my and unlawful Capitalization within
the state OF Idaho" OF course it is
absurd that the state OF Idaho should
pass a resolution to exterminate 20
lygamy within the jurisdiction of the
United States. We all admit that
that would be absurd for us. 30 it
Is necessary to prohibit it within the
state OF Idaho. The last part "and
the complete separation of church and
state In political affairs is identical
with the national platform. and we
add to this I'VE pledge the demo-
cratic party to enact su'h legislation
as will effectually sunpres such evils"
Now, in the early lays. there We're
hundreds and hundres. running up to
the thousands of convictions. through
out these polygamy infested regions,
but none for polyGamy. They were
all for unlawful conabitaticn. Why'
In order to prove polvgamy, you must
prove the second marriage anu the
second marriages are performed with
In the sacred confines of the Endow-
ment House. and no record is kept
of them. 1t Is impossible. and the Of
ficers were unable to prove polygamy.
They could prove unlawful cohabita-
ton. which means. according to the
Interpretation of the courts, the hold
Ing out by one man of more than one
woman as his wife,
fou can readily ace the difference.
We need, OF course, national legisla-
ton. which will come. and 1t will come
through am amendment TO the consti-
tuition. There is not democratic
United States senator who is not
familiar enough with this question 10
vote for it, n
I share the opposition to consti-
tutional amendments generally, and
the encroaehments upon the rights of
the state. but when state says. we
are unable 10 suppress these crimes.
because the majority of the people
belong. to an organization which up
holds them in their crimes against
American citizenship, this great
American government of ours viii
step In. as il has stepped in in the
past in the territories, and wipe out and
reject this blot upon the American es-
cutcheon. tApplause.)
7 do not want TO be misunderstood.
This plank is the soundesl blank that
has been before YOU. II is the best
plank that has been before you. and
after the exhibition, which we always
see, whenever the members of this
organization come out into open de-
bates. 1t must impress every Ameri-
can citizen that each and every time
the plank should be stronger. Cap
piause.)
I believe as firmly as / believe
stand before you that the rank and
file are opposed to this church die
tation in their politics. Notwtth-
standing the statements IF their rep-
resentatives here. that this will drive
away the democratic vote in that sec
ton, I believe that many a young
Mormon democrat will go To his
booth and with joy deposit his ballet
for our ticket. (Great applause.)
l have more faith apparently in the
young Mormons than their represen-