Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-03-09
Tells Three Hundred Thinking
Citizens About Utah and
The Mormons.
MANY QUESTIONS ASKED.
The EgotlstIcal and Slanderous
schroeder Completely Answered
II Utah Woman's Testimony.
sneclal Corresponding.

New York, March i.-The following is
the substance OF lecture delivered by
Prof John p Meakin Of Utah before
the Manhattan Liberal club on Friday
evening, Feb. %, before 300 prominent
thinking people Mr.. Meakin was in
tr0duced by the president OF the club,
Edwin G, Walker In the following well
chosen words; Mr., Meakln Of SAT-
Lake VIII address US tonight on the
subject, Utah ard the Mormons.' AL
though an Engllshman by birth Mr..
Mealan is essentially an American,
having lived IN this country since boy
hood. Mr., Meakin's experience as a
dramatic reader, and also as a lecturer
along fraterna lines, has been most
varied. taking him from san Francisco
to New York
THE belief that ultimately man will
understand the true meaning OF tho
fatherhood OF God and the brother
hood Of man. has led Mr., Meakln to
study tho social and ethical phases OF
American life rom coast TO coast. This
has eminenty lifted him to give a fair
and unprecedented opinion of the unique
people among whom he has lived for
SO years In Salt Lake City, the capital
OF Utah
"Alr Meakin is not o member Of any
church He Is a Fraternalist, and Is a
prominent worker IN the west. with
the knights Of PNhias, the Benevolent
Protective order OF Elks, the Fraternal
order Of Eagles, the Woodmen of the
World and the Maccabees At the
close OF Mr. Meakin's discourse the
subject may be discussed by the audi
once allowing seven minutes for each
person, Members given the prefer
eHce."
LECTURE LASTED AN HOUR.
The lecture was Of an hour and 20
minutes duration and gave a lucid and
unprecedented account of Utah, past
and present.
Mr.. Meakin paid a glowing tribute to
the brave pioneers and their work In
Utah.
The doctrine Of the Mormon" Church
was touched but lightly. The educa-
tional status OF the commupity at large
and women in particular and the life
and character Of Senator Smoot were
Gwelt upon.
The words. Every mans religion is
mine To defend" ELECTED enthusiastic
applause Mr.. Meakin smiled and said.
thank you. You are the FIRST liberals
I've found; most sO-called liberals be-
ing bigots."
Mr.. MeakIu won the hearts of the
audience, ano at the close was warmly
applarded.
CRIES FOR SCHROEDER.
When the subject was thrown open
for discussion. there was no response,
But Mr.. A. 4. Schroeder, who had re-
peatedly given adverse lectures and
criticisL g. Who Is also a member of the
club, ives rrosent, Cries for Schroeder
were raised on all sides. So Mr..
Schroeder took the stand and
giving the exact date for estab-
llshed free public schools left the i'm
preston that there Were no public
schools In Utah up TO that time, he
also stated that the leaders OF the
Mormon Church opposed education.
John G.. McQuarrie, who was present
and was the next speaker, stated EN-
phaticaly that Mr. Shroeder's state
ments were false. as he had received
his education IN the public schools IN
southern Utah In a most obscure por-
ton Of the state.
A WOMAN SPEAKS.
After Mr. McQuarrie's remarks. n
lady's voice asked. Are women allowed
to speak, Yes" yes" was echoed
all around. when Mrs. Ruth Eldredge
Meakin walked 10 the front and In a
somewhat frightened manner addressed
the assembly She said, In substance:
MY parents are members OF the Nor
mon Church. My grandfather, Orson
Pratt, was one Of the original Twelve
Apostles, and | wish to correct some
OF the erroneous impressions created
by Mr. Schroeder's remarks. / am
no public speaker and have no data.
Il believe Utah IN common with
other states In the far west did not
boast OF free schools until a compare
tive recent date. but public schools
she always has had and IN the early
days these believe were held not IN