The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1905-03-10
RAiEs.
THE MORMON MACHINE.

The problemS presented Dy the AoThhoH
Church have been discussed almost 10
the point of w-earisomeness and yet few
neonle know anything about the almost
perfect machinery which runs the enor-
NOUS organization. In the first place
the Mormon Church is a one-man power,
according to the statement OF w. NJ
Raine and A. w. Dunn in an article IN
the March Leslie's Monthly on the Nor
mon Church., its people and their lie.
ct is absolutely dominated by the pres
ident. although the governing body IS
called the first presidency. the quorum OF
the twelve apostles and the seven presl-
dents of the seventies. AS a matter OF
fact the first presidency consists of the
president and two councillors. whom ne
selects and who may be removed by him.
His edicts and DEGREES are binding whetn-
or in temporal or spiritual affairs. Obedi-
ence is a Mormon watchword Disopedl-
ence. whether in church or secular mat
tiers. has been and still is punished Tne
offender may stand out for a time, but
he must either bend to church authority
or be disfellowshipped and cut off from
the church. He cannot remain a mem
Der in good standing, or exercise the
rights and privileges of a member until
he has recanted and accepted the terms
of the church authorities. Besides there
is never a division between the apostles
and the first presidency. They are com
stantly in armony When any one of
them is not in harmony he is dropped.
ION the business side. beneath the
apostles. come the State presidents and
their counselors. having jurisdiction over
a territory corresponding TO a diocese
Subordinate TO these is the bishop OF
the ward. a secular official with some &C.
clesiastical functions. and under his d.
rect eye is the block teacher. whose duty
it is to visit weekly each Mormon in his
block, noting that the tithing is paid
keeping in close touch with his temporal
and spiritual affairs. observing any ten
dency to grow lax in church duties, and
reporting all duly to his bishop. Nobody
is too Insignificant to be under espionage.
A message may be transmitted from the
president of the church, supposed to be
the mouthpiece of God. TO every member
within reaching distance. in a very few
hours. Il a recent municipal election of
Salt Lake the odds were ten to one in
favor of the Republican tickle twenty
four hours before the election. but, to the
surprise of all Gentiles. the otner side
won. The whisper had been passed that
the Democratic candidates were. on this
occasion, chosen by Gods elect to rule.
AS a result, the political complexion OF
the State had been entirely changed in
a day.
"A fertile source of power to the
church is the tithing of all incomes ex-
acted from and paid by the faithful.
Men who live in Mormon communities
say this tithing. one-tenth of everything
that is produced, creates an immense
fund which is used for the benefit of the
church in political and business affairs.
as well as in ecclesiastical matters. The
tithing is paid to the head of the church.
and he does not account to anyone for
1t, neither as to its receipt nor it's dis
bursement. AS the church engages in a
great deal of business. this thing fund
gives it a heavy advantage over every
other competitor, an advantage which is
often used with great effect. Viewed
commercially, the Mormon Church is a
menace TO all other business institutions
which attempt TO compete with it.
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