The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-11-28
MORMONS STAGGERED
SUPREMACY OF THE CHURCH IN UTAH POLITICS IS BROKEN.
Result of Recent EIection-Senator Kearns the Only Man Who Has Ever Fought Big Religious Or
 Ganisatfon to . Standsfill.

After one of the bitterest political fights ever waged in any community the Mormon church has suffered it's first decisive defeat In almost fifty years of political supremacy in this State. says Salt Lake dispatch to The New York World At the elec- ton the American party candidate
 Ezra Thompson. was elected Mayor of the city over William J. Lynch, the Mormon church's Republican candi- date. Gentiles believe that they see mon church's power, and the settle ment of one of the gravest problems that has ever confronted community.
 Because of it's possible effect upon the expulsion of Reid Shoot from the Senate at the coming session of Congress, the election just passed has assumed national importance. Shoot strained every power at his command to force the election of Lynch: he en- gagged in a nasty squabble with the Democratic leaders and has caused a serious split in the ranks of the church officials. His own people have now in a large measure turned against him. Smoot demanded the election of Lynch, to vindicate himself in Utah and to preserve his prestige in the Re- publican party.
 The man of the hour in Utah is ex-Senator Thomas Kearns, who or- ganized the American party and to whom the credit for the victory is due. Mir. Kearns, a popular citizen during his. years of residence in the State, has become a hero. If a Bibli- cal simile may be applied to so mum dane a thing as a political fight, Utah Gentiles regard the former Senator as Moses who has delivered the people from bondage.
 Fought MormOns to n Standstill.
 He is the only man who has suc- ceeded in fighting the most power full religious organization in the world to a standstill in a community where antagonism to the church us- ually means social ostracism and finan- cial ruin. The same qualities which made Kearns one of the richest men in the country and enabled him to rise from the position of a poor ploughboy to seat in the Senate were the fac tors that figured in tho defeat of the church.
 In the past it has been possible for President Joseph F. Smith to throw an election within six hours before the polls were opened, so perfect was the working of the Mormon church system. Instructions are generally given out at the Sunday meetings pre- ceding election and if the President changes his mind he calls in his apos- ties, and within a few hours the or ders have been countermanded and every voter instructed. Up to tho pres- ent campaign it was accepted as fact that President Smith could elect or de- feat any candidate he desired in the city, county or State, and that he could force any Mormon candidate to with draw at any time in favor of the man he might want elected.
 The Mormon church has secured control of the light and water plants. the street railway systems, most of the large enterprises and has con- trolled the granting of franchise in the State in the interest of the church. The growth of the State was seriously threatened, as 1t has always been Mormon principle to keep Utah for the Mormons and discourage the Gentle settler or investor.
 Threw Down the Gauntlet.
 MT. Kearns had long been watching the development of the political power of the church and its menace to the future of the State. Though elected to the Senate, he felt the pressure of President Smiths power. and deter mined to crush the political absolutism of the hierarchy if possible. With the same methods which he applies to his business affairs he threw down the gauntlet.
 Then began one of the fiercest fights for political liberty ever waged. Both sides measured their strength to the limit; no mercy was shown, the crack of the Mormon Presidents whip re- sounded; Senator Kearns and his Inewspapers and orators urged the Gen. tiles to unite for self-preservation. As election day drew near, the influ- ence of MT. Kearns's fight began to be felt It was a close contest, but the American ticket won out, and were 1t not for Mir. Kearns's native modesty, he could have accepted the congratulation of every Gentle in the State as a personal victory.
 MT. Kearns has made millions through his knowledge of mining. He was born in Canada in 1862, moved to Nebraska with his parents when ten years old: was a freighter in the Black Hills at fourteen, and came to Utah when twenty-one. He worked as miner at Park City, gradually ac- fouired property of his own and became rich. ......@-=
 Kearns's Career.
 Senator Kearns has not been long l in politics or he undoubtedly would have started the fight against the l Mormon church long before he did. Ten years ago he was elected a mem her of the city council of Park City He also served on the Constitutional Convention in Salt Lake. Though vir- tually a novice at the political game. Mir Kearnss good sense and intuitive knowledge of men gained him instant success. s=..-
 In 1896, MT. Kearns was sent as delegate to the Republican national convention, and was one of the silver Republicans who withdrew rom the -