The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1905-03-04
SENATOR kEARNs OF UTAH BIT.
TER in His CRITICISM OF
CHURCH LEADERS.
DEFIANT VIOLATION OF THE LAWS
PLEDGES GIVEN TO GAIN STATE
HOOD BROKEN wlLFyLLY
AND FREQUENTLY.

Washington, March 1.-After rou'
tine business in the senate the anti
polygamy resolution introduced by Mr..
Dubois was laid before the senate and
Mr.. Kearns (Utah) addressed the SEN
ate at some length.
Mr.. Kearns, being recognized: said
he could not permit the occasion to
pass without saying what it seemed
should be said by a senator, under
such conditions, before leaving public
life. He then reviewed the history Of
Utah and recited the conditions under
which statehood was granted.
'The pledges given by the people OF
Utah." said the senator. ~ believe
consisted of the following PROPOSE
tions:
''That the Mormon leaders would
live within the laws pertaining to plu-
raj marriage and the continued plural
marriage relations and that they
would enforce this obligation upon all
Of their followers under penalty OF dis
Fellowship.
"That the leaders of the Mormon
church would no longer exercise po-
litical sway and that their followers
would be free and would exercise their
freedom in politics, In business and
in social affairs" Continuing, he said:
utah secured her statehood by
solemn compact made by the Mormon
leaders in behalf of themselves and
their people.
",That compact has been broken
wilfully and frequently. 5
"No apostle of the Mormon church
has publicly protested against that
violation. 81
81 know .the gravity Of the utter
ances that have made. know what
are. the probable consequences to my
self. But ! have pondered long and
earnestly upon this subject and have
come to the conclusion; that duty to
the innocent people Of my state and
obligation to the senate and the coun-
try require that shall clearly define
my attitude" s'G
President Smith Monarch.
Mr.. Kearns SID that the question of
religion is not involved ana he passed
from that subject to the social aspect
with brief comment. The social autoc-
racy, he said, at present is at as high q
point as it has ever reached. He de-
scribed the surroundings and the pow
ers of President Smith, who, he said,
affects regal state and has estab-
lished himself with the dignity OF a
monarch.
Kearns, leach apostle has his great
part. He is inseparable from it, He
wields now such part Of the power as
the monarch may permit him to Ell:
joy;. and it is his hope. and expecta-
tion that he will outlive those who are
his seniors in rank in order that he
may become the ruler"
Taking up the business policy of the
church. Mr.. Kearns charged that it
amounts to a monopoly. He recited
the holdings Of President Smith by
virtue of his office as well as his pri.
vate holdings and said that when
Smith became president he boasted of
his property, while now he is In re-
ceipt OF an income like unto that which
2 royal family derives from a national
treasury. One-tenth Of all the annual
earnings Of all the Mormons in all the
world flows to him. These funds
amount to $1,600,0O0 annually"
The election of Senator Rawlins
was charged by Mr.. Kearns to have
been due entirely to the Mormon
church in order to humiliate de-
posed apostle. He then took up the
charge that he (Kearns) had bought
his own seat from President Lorenzo
Snow and denounced as q calumny the
stories to that effect.
Mr.. @Kearns next took up the Ques-
tion of the Mormon marriage relation
and said: sts
"Plural marriage relations have been
continued tdefanfly according to the
will and pleasure of those who had
formerly violate ed the law and for
whose obedience to Law the church
monarchy pledged the faith and honor
OF It's leaders and followers alike in
order to obtain statehood, Z,
Mr.. Kearns charged that every apos-
tie Of the church Isl In q large part
responsible for this condi dition and that
It SIS quite evident the church mon
sarchy Is trying to re-establish the rule
ofSthe polygamous class over the; mass
of the Mormon people.
Fifteen Cars DeH,oiIshee:.