The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-10-05

church, that the presidency now in con-
troll Of church affairs, is freer from inter
ference in political affairs than any of
their predecessors. The only complaint,
if complaint could be made. is that they !
have tolerated the existence of a condl-
ton that has allowed an apostle Of the
church to be elevated to one of the high
est offices in the gift OF the people
Change Is Imperative.
But it has come to a time when this
condition should stop. The people of this
state are tired of this thing. This was
shown in the last city campaign, the eff
feet of which has been to show US that
strong, vigorous, healthy party with a
prospect of achieving further success, is |
now i'm the field.
In the last campaign there was pub
lished an article in the Deseret News that
was supposed to put a quietus on this
matter so far the church was con-
cerned, and TO put quietus on the whis-
perfng gumshoer. the DeSeret News. over
the signature of its editor, published.
prior 10 the election, statement, and
may be pardOned for reading it,
The statement which Mr.. MOyie read
was in relation to the alleged conflicting
elements in local politics, and the charges
that had been made TO the church be-
ing in politics. declaring that the church
did not favor any special candidate
At the conclusion of the reading of the
article, Mr.. MOyle said:
Now, ! want to say furthermore so
thaa l may not be misunderstood, that L
do not believe that we have the right to
prevent man seeking political prefer
ment on account of his religious belief
Nor is it necessarily so that an apostle
has no right TO engage in political affairs
l believe in the complete separation of
church and state, and there is nothing in
the constitution of this state or of the
United States to warrant this. But |
do think it is a question Of wisdom and a
question of prudence.
Unwise for Apostles to Mix.
The best man who ever lived in this
country was not in the minds of the
American people worthy of being given
the office of president the third time
and L do not think it is the part of wis
dom to place an apostle in political po-
sltlon For my part, L have come to a
tlXed conclusion on this subject, and |
think 1t is detrimental TO the interests of
this state for any man holding a high
ecclesiastical position to be placed in
high political position.
Reviews City Campaign.
Before the last campaign this CITY had
q democratic mayor, and, l believe, a
Democratic majority in the council The
mayor was man who was conservative
and honest. such a man as the people
love and honor; a man respected nv an
lie had been member of the city cOun-
ell many years. He had been citV treas
urer three or four terms. The people had
M.
ICre the end of the city campaign his cleo
ton seemed assured. Senator Smoot came
10 this city and spent a day or two.
and Immediately after his return the word
got out and everything was done Dossf-
bic through the different organizations of
the church to secure Lynch's election
Immediately after the visit of the Hon
Reed Smoot and another gentleman from
his city, 1 think by the name of Edward
Loose, there was money posted up on
brokers' row for the election of I,Vnch and
[ yrl4
that the church was backing Lynch and
that it was the Republican party that
could save, the city from American vic
tory. And the relief society work. and
al that started within day or two after
the honorable gentleman came to the
city.
You know the result. And that was the
great man who occupied one of the high
est positions in the church. All he had
and he would elect the man of his choice
Helped the Americans"
The result was what might have been
| expected. Many turned to the .-Ameri-
can, ticket and supported it. and the Re
/ publican party was left third in the race
with about one-fourth of the votes in the
city. And the DeSeret News two DAYS
/ nrIor 10 the aIeofion nnhiicbaS -" ui'E .
/ regarding the freedom of the Mormon peo-
PIE to vote they chose. 1t stated that
of the candidates and that the authorities
OF the church did not propose to be drawn
I into politics. and that any statement or
I inSinuatiOn TO the contrary was not true.
My fellow citizens. | think we can with
| out hesitation put plank in our platform
! that will place US absolutely on record in
! there is citizen of this country or a
member OF the, so-called dominant church
! OF Utah who could not endorse it, 1t
| seems to me that in this campaign this
sort of action that we have had should
| not be continued. 1t seems to me that If
| the gentleman to whom I have referred
| the senior senator from this state. the
Hon. Reed Shoots the controlling fac
tor in the Republican party. that he
| should be given to understand that the
Democratic party will 10 longer tolerate