The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-13
DEMOCRATS DEFEND MORMONS
TUO OF THEN TESTIFY IN TIE
SUOOT CASE.
They Declare That Senator Dubois's
Campaign Against the Mormons was
10 Further His own Political Ends
J. PARKER SACRIFICED for GOV. Ueitfeld.

of the Mormon Church were considered
to-day at the Smoot hearing before the
Senate Committee on Privileges and Eiec-
tions -Four Witnesses subpunaed by the
defence we're examined. They testified that
the Mormon Church did not dominate the
politics OF Idaho nor influence the votes OF
the Mormon people ns a body. The range
Of the testimony was very wide admitting
hearsay. inference political argument and
newspaper editorials. The general trend
Of the days testimony was TO the effect
that Senator Dubois and his faction began
an anti-polygamy campaign in Idaho last
year IA a political expedient, aud were de-
feated because Of the desire Of the people,
both Gentle and Mormon, to let tho Nor
mon question alone
r. II. Hol2heimer was the first witness
for the defence. He lives in Pooatello.
hammock county. Idaho, and practises law.
He is a Democrat and an Episcopalian.
The witness was asked regarding the
adoption of the auti-polygamy plank in
the Democratic State convention OF 1904.
He said he was one Of the subcommittee of
five which drafted the so-caled Mormon
plank. The convention voted TO strike the
plank from the platform.
a plank Was lillhllg dhNPbtbf pAoPbHNh
by Senator Dubois. by a vote OF 1877 to 107
Under the unit rule many delegates were
voted in favor of the resolution who were
personally opposed TO it,
Gentle Democrats. said thewitness, were
strongly opposed to injecting into Idaho
politics the Mormon question. Theydeclared
the move was made for personal ends. All
the Democratic papers opposed the plat
form on that account. The public oondemna-
ton OF the move was shown, the witness de-
cared, by the result at the election, when
the Democrats we're badly showed under.
Mr.. Van Colt Have you ever seen any
evidence OF the interference of the Nor
mon Church in politics in Idaho2 A.
have not.
Mr.. Taylor cross-e1amlned Mr.. Holz-
elmer.
Q. How many polygamists in Idaho? Al
have heard of twenty or thirty. families.
Inquiry developed the fact that the first
plank presented TO the convention contained
the word adultery and TO this Mr.. Holz-
heirner made a min ority report, opposing its
adoption as an attack upon the Mormon
People. II there had not been vigorous
effort TO push through an anti-Mormon
plank through personal motives, the witness
said, he believed the Mormons themselves
would have voted for the plank against
adultery and polygamy..
a. We're w per cent Of the Democrats OF
Idaho opposed 10 this plank? A. l think
so.
q. Then why did they adopt it? A. Tho
northern part Of Idaho controlled the con-
vention, and they were from part Of the
State where they don't know anything
about the Mormon counties or the Mormon
people
Frank Martin. lawyer of Boise, Idaho
was called He has lived in Idaho since
1888 He s a Gentle and Democrat, and
has been active in politics.
The agitation against the Mormons as TO
polygamy was led by Senator Dubois,
said NJ Martin. The Mormons said they
would not oppose the anti-polygamy plank
IL it also included the denunciation OF the
crime of adultery 50 az TO apply TO non
Mormons. This change was made, but
IL failed TO meet the support OF the Nor"
rnons who by that time declared that they
were convinced that the agitation was for
personal motives and not for the purifica-
ton OF morals in Idaho, and that the
Church interference clause was Intended
20 lead to the diatranchisement OF the Nor
mons They regarded this as a scheme OF
Senator Dubois to deprive them OF suf-
frage in order that he might be reelected
United States Senator
The Democratic State chairman. witness
said, told the leaders that he did not want
the national issues discussed. but only tine
Mormon issue. People are tired OF tariff.
he said. "They want 10 hear about Nor
monism' The campaign was waged en-
tirely on the Mormon issue. Senator Du-
bois MIR Clay the Democratic candidate for
Congress. and other Democratic leaders
made Mormonism the ISSUE.
Mr.. Martin said he was surprised so many
Mormon Demooratss had supported the
Democratic ticket, yin view OF the issues
presented. He had heard that the Demo-
cratic leaders were trying TO get votes for
Heitfeld, the Democratic candidate for
Governor. at the expense Of Judge Parker.
Senator Dubois at no time advocated ma
tional issues or the election OF Judge Parker
4 man who declared he was u Republican
and would vote for Roosevelt, but advo-
Gated the election Of Heufeld for Governor,
went around with senator Dubois. Two
ladies' from the East, Mrs. White and Mrs,
Webster srohe. Ia the State and also adj
vocnted the election Of Roosevelt and
Heitfeld. Many old line Democrats and
newspapers objected to this sacrifice Of
Judge Parker.
on cross-examination Mr.. Martin adj
mi;ted that he had never publicly protested
against the sacrifice OF Judge Parker
James II. Brady OF Pooatelo. Idaho,
owner OF the American Falls Power Plant,
was sworn. lie said he had taken some
interest in politics, He is n Gentle and
attends the Congregational Church He
Is chairman Of the Republican State central
committee. and had active charge Of tho
last campaign. Mr.. Brady thinks there are
between 1900 and 1900 Mormon voters
out OF the u 600 in Idaho. The MAR reason
for the large Republican vote in Idaho
was that the people believed in Republican
principles.
1T was not an anu-poygamy fight. bat
an anti-Mormon fight. said Mr. Brady.
There was no reason for bringing up this
question now more than at any time since
ls0i. The business men and safe and sane
people made an aggressive campaign on
rarity lines on tho Republican side and
the Democratic side waged the fight abso-
lutely and wholly on the Mormon issue.
Tho people in both Gentle and Mormon
counties settled the question. The Demo-
cratic leaders in my judgment did all in
their poweI 10 drive tho Mormon vote into
our camp. and Of course | welcomed Il
1 did not get as many Mormon votes in the
southern counties az / expected. The
Mormon Democrats were more loyal to
their party than | expected
Mr. Brady produced Photographic
cory Of Senator Dubois's famous letter IN
which he IL said to have declared in effect
that all Mormons are criminals Mr.
Brady said he had circulated 10000 copies
Of the lett or among the Idaho Mormons.
Judge Parker was sacrificed at every
opportunity for the benefit Of Gov. Heit-
field said Mr., Brady. lie said he had sent
agents into Idaho county where there were
about 900 Catholic votes. and pointed out
TO them thRt the Democrats were making
n religious fight against the Mormons. and
reminded them OF the old a. p. A move