The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-06-30
Influence In Idaho.

lie SdluWcll Niuuhoj
makes it's proud editorial boast in
the following language:
The Mormons do exercise an in
iiuence in politics, and 1t is right
that they should. Unless we argue
that the influence of church people
is generally bad we must admit that
their influence is good in politics.
The Caldwell Tribune is supposed
TO be a gentle newspaper, and yet IL
states in exactitude a view express
ed almost simultaneously by the
chief Mormon newspaper in Idaho
which boldly uncovers the situation
by saying:
Hence he says that no man who
fights the Mormon people can be
elected in Idaho. 1t has taken Du-
bois long time TO find this out,
but it is true just the same and why
should it be otherwise?
1t is warped and twisted men
tlity which can assume that Nor
mons as such, should exercise an
influence and should have deter
mining voice in politics in State
like Idaho. AS an individual citizen
the Mormon has the same rights as
any other man; but it the dreadful
TART of the situation that he does
not exercise these rights as an indi-
,idual citizen. Legally he holds and
ha ha lnt ina llV hn
cises his possession and discharges
his franchise in Idaho as directed
by the chief of his church.
When the Caldwell Tribune as
sumes that Mormon influence is
good in the politics of Idaho 1t de-
sends to a depth most surprising
for a paper of it's class. That influ-
ence has been the most corrupting
force in the public life of our neigh
Dor state for many years. 1t shows
itself in trafficking in the honor of
the commonwealth; it is utilized to
obtain unjust appropriations from
the public money, to foist into office
of trust the unfit persons who may
have Mormon favor, and to bargain
off it's franchise in the legislature
and at the polls for return votes
which no servant of the people
should be asked or should consent or
grant.
Ii Mormon influence is good in the
politics of Idaho, as stated by the
Caldwell Tribune, then Mormon con-
troll of politics in the State would be
even better; and therefore If the
Caldwell Tribune is devoted friend
to the commonwealth it should la
Dor to place all public affairs in sub
lection to the Mormon chiefs. And
the best reply that can be made to
that proposition is to point the
Caldwell paper to the situation in
Utah This State is injured at home
and insulted abroad by the mastery
which the church hierachry has over
our political affairs. Utah came into
her sovereignty on the 4th day OF
January 1896, under circumstances
which seemed to promise a greater
popularity than had ever been the
portion of young commonwealth
In the ten years which have followed
one-half of the time has been given
to an open controversy with the
United States Government and with
the sentimentality of this nation, due
entirely to the political influence OF
of the leaders of the Mormon church
exercised upon their following and
showing itself in the selection of two
men, one for the House and one foI
the Senate of the United States
against whom the Christian civiliza.
tion of the land has made war.
If Idaho likes this kind of infiu.
ence 1t is a pity that Utah cannot
transfer the whole business to oui
neighbor State. According to the ar
gument of the Caldwell Tribune, Ida
no would b improved and according