Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-02-16
"MoRMONIsM' IN NEW MEXICO.


The New Mexican, published at Santa
Re, n. NJ, has an editorial headed rs
above. IN which that paper takes up
the question thus indicated This Is
published IN several newspapers, that
the "Morrnons are rapidly Increasing
IN New Mexico aud Arizona, and that
this element OF the population Is maxi
ing itself felt In the two Territories"
The Santa Fe paper denounces this re-
port, which has been echoed from the
national capital. as foolish twaddle,
with no foundation whatever That
paper says II Is not prepared at this
time to speak for ARIZONA; 1t is how
ever Investigating the case and win
be able TO advise lntelligently and
fairly upon the situation there shortly"
il adds the following particulars, rs to
New Mexico which may be relied upon
as accurate;
Official reports FOR the year 1905,
show that there are four Mormon set
Elements IN the Sunshine Territory,
namely at Frultland, san Juan county.
az Ramah, Mckinley county, at Jew
cit. San Juan county. and al Blue
water, Valencia county The last set
tlement was started two months ago
md consists of q half dozen families.
This is the only new settlement with
IN ten years The other three are much
older Official adVices are that there
are less than a thousand Mormons All
told, men, women ana children IN this
Territory today, and that no polyg-
amy as far as known exists among
them. The exact number. per official
reports on June 80, last was 9s1 IN the
settlements named Al, very fair
calculation the Territory has popula-
ton OF 100000 people today. The Nor
mon settlements named are purely ag-
ricultural and are away from the main
lines of travel. The few votes they poll
irl San Juan, Mckinley and Valencia
counties can elect only precinct JUS
rct-s OF the peace. precinct constables
and school directors Of few school
districts. In the counties named they
cannot turn elections nor are they OF
amy consequence. The Senator or Rep
resentativc In Congress who allows
himself to be scared or impressed by
the Mormon spoole Ia New Mexico has
certainly neither intelligence nor edu-
cation enough to be a member OF the
Senate or House OF Representatives"
From advices on which we can rely.
we can corroborate the testimony OF
the New Mexican that the "Mormons"
IN New Mexico, ALI told, men, wo-
men and children. number less than
one thousand and we believe that
the total Is even less than that which
Is given above, II Is evident that their
political influence in the Territory Is
scarcely worth mentioning
Yet II has been held up az a reason
why New Mexico should not be adj
mitted into the Union. Il has about
us much truth and common sense IN
81 as most OF the stories which arc cir
oulated concerning the "Mormons," and
which people IN the East swallow with
nvdlty.
A sort of bugaboo was held out dur
Ing the recess OF the Senate. In order
10 furnish an excuse for reopening the
Investigation as to the right Of Sena.
tor smoot to retain HIS seat. that dis
closures of numerous cases of polyga-
my IN New Mexico would be made, and
that these would form sort OF two
edged sword, cutting IN one way
against the Senator and the other way
against the admission Of New Mexico
ms a State Of the Union. But II seems
that the evidence was not forthcoming,
and, according to the New Mexican, 1t
was without foundation IN truth, and
20 utterly destitute OF even shadow
OF fact that. as that paper intimates
any Senator or Representative In Con-
gress who does not know better than
20 be affected by such tale has
''neither Intelligence nor education
enough TO be member Of the Senate
or the House OF Representatives"
similar cutlery was made IN refer
ence to Arizona But during a recent
raid upon the few individuals Ia that
Territory who lived in the plural family
relation. only eight cases could be made
out and neither OF these was for the
offense OF 'polygamy." Not glsgIe
instance Of a plural marriage within The
period IN which It could be prosecuted
was found, either IN Arizona or Sow
Mexico, Thus the terrible tale which
was concocted to influence Congress
and the country, turned out to be false
and baseless and no attempt was made
90 repeat II or allude to II during the
recent re-opened examination.
Mormon settlers are desirable and
much desired. in both The Ter
ritories seeking admission into
the Union because OF their value
rs colonists. Their success In redeem
ing the desert has been remarkable. and
the growth Of their towns and the dis.
trlcts which they have cultivated have
evoked the plaudlts Of the officials in
those Territories, who have witnessed
the energy, honesty, sobrlety lntelii-
gence and union OF the "Mormons'
there. and the rapid advance OF educa.
ton among them and Of everything that
tends to build up @ civilized and pro.
gressive community.
The "Mormons" In this state, as well
es IN the regions adjoining, have TO ex.
ercise patience and forbearance while
Islander is busy against them, and tc
wait until the truth shall penetrate tn,
minds Of the good people or the coun.
try, and the facts are made known con.
corning the real situation IN Utah. Ful
and fair investigation will come II