The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-04-13

Why Jocsph F. Smith did not at the re-
cent conference resign his position as
president of the Mormon church s q sub |
ject that many of the younger members
have the tcmerity to discuss. The In
consistent actions OF the hierarch at the |
Same meeting are also criticised ana
commented upon by tho same class with
a freedom OF speech and An independence
OF thought that they would not have
dared To display few years ago,
What Is Predicted.
1t is predicted by some OF them that in
a few years the polygamous president and
the whole poygamcus bunch Will be
obliged to step down and out and turn
over the affairs OF the church to class
OF men who, Will not only obey the law
themselves but Will not tolerate VIOLA
tion or the law either openly or coVertly
on the part Of their colleagues.
Too Transparent.
They claim that the displacement OF
Apostles NJ. +. Cowley and John w ray
lor and the retention Of Apostle George
Teasdale. all OF whom are In the same
category, being charged OF taking ne"
wives since the manifesto, Is ridiculous;
That 1t is too transparent to be oetosgeu
mysteries Of revelation. 1t is clear ana
plain case of ineXplIcable facts.
Applies to Teasdale.
The subterfugc excuse that the TWO men
were removed because they were not at
tending to their apostolic duties ,apples
with equal force 10 Apostle Teasdale. as
all three mon have been absent from the
United States for the same reason, that
OF having to face the Federal authorities
and give an account Of their crimes.
What Course Has Done.
They also claim that the entire body
mn nj nTGSl-
dency have played fast and loose with
the subject OF polygamy TO point be
yond endurance. and that their course In
this matter has made them objects OF
rIdicule throughout the civilized world ana
brought disgrace upon the church at
home.
No Respect for Hierarch.
The attitude of Joseph f. Smith at
Washington In admitting that he was liy-
Ing a criminal life and denying reveia-
tlons, the source OF his former power, has
deprived him of the respect of his people,
They say that II he could not defend the
doctrine of revelation abroad he can not
expect II TO be longer believed at home,
and to admit his criminal relations with
q number OF plural wives was truth
without the merit OF virtue,
Tho manifesto. they claim, Is as bind-
Ing as any other tenent OF tnelr falth'
If not even more so, as 1t is the latest DOC
trinc to be enunciatcd and IL the presi-
dent and other prominent officials can Ylo-
late II with impunity they cannot con-
sistently demand or the lalty q Coinpn-
ance with other doctrines,
Hierarch Is Tyrannical.
For the hierarch to exact implicit o5edi-
ence to rules Of the church on the part or
the body OF the church while the members
OF the hierarch themselves disooey those
rules, is an action that Is unreasonable
and tyrannical pure and simple
AS to Paying Tithes.
AS to the matter of paying tithes. they
Ill. hn oh
present system applies with equal fitness.
A body OF men who will openly defy civil
law a well as church law. can scarcely
be entrusted to handle moneys honestly.
especially when they make no real report
of the expenditures. They claim that decep-
ton in fulfilling doctrInal requirements Is
not conducive TO integrity In business AZ
fairs.
STEPPED In Deception
The members of tho hierarchy have be-
come SO stepped In deception they state, |
that tho members OF the church are being |
constantly inundated by those acts OF de- |
a case In point cited is that case OF Apos- |
tie John Horny Smith, who was unable
TO go to Washington TO testify In the |
Smoot case less than month ago, yet at |
the recent conference he was able to ad-
dress the Saints on Sunday last with |
every appearance OF robust health.
Dare Not Face Committee.
His rapid recovery has been so very
complete that the circumstance lends cre-
dence TO tho general report and belief that |
he dare not face the Senate committee |
and deny the charge that he had said that |
tho manifesto abolishing ,polygamy was |
issued TO beat the devil at his own |
game
Fears an Examination.
Apostle Smiths actions, they claim. are |
in accord with the statement ha Is charged |
with having made. and II is believed that |
face examination n q
matter before tho designing men that |
made President Jospeh F Smith deny the |
doctrine Of direct revelation and take |
refuge behind an indefinite inspiration.
Hierarch's Attitude Untenable.
They state that tho attitude OF any one
living In polygamy under the present laws
of both the church and the land, consider
Ing the promises made to the Nation by
members OF the hierarchy, is untenable |
That In order TO deserve the respect OF
tho world the hierarchy should show a |
respect for Itself by observing recognized
good morals and obeying Its own pre-
tended rules and the laws of the country
Action of Apostle Penrose.
The action Of Apostle Charles w. Pen
rose In signing q deed since the first OF
the present month as widower is treated
az matter OF unalloyed mirth. 1t Is
claimed that he has more than any one
member OF the church loudly sustained
polygamyy and demanded to be let alone
in living his religion. And now, after de-
vociferously all his life. 70 turn up as
single man after the fact OF his polye-
amous relations have become so notorious
is simply a huge joke
Penrose Is a Coward.
This attitude on the part of this ardent
supporter OF crime and defender OF Grim
inals is, they claim, simply cowardice. II
shows that he Is married for domestic |
purposes only and Is occupying the dis
honest position OF trying 10 avoid tho re-
sponslbilities OF almony in case OF d.
yorce proceedings, and the laws OF in
heritance in case OF his death That il
Is a system OF slavery to womanhood and
an attempt on the part OF the libertine
who Is a party to tho transaction to oc-
cupy :he position OF free commoner