Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-01-25
John P. Meakin Defends People
OF Utah While Visiting in
The East.
INTERVIEWED AT PLAINFIELD.
Takes Occasion To Enlightcn Residents
or New Jersey on Conditions
In This State,

off here yesterday to Visit Richard c.
Fisher, of West Fourth street. the faith
Of DR.. George Fisher Of Denver, a
Plaintied boy, who was one of his
staunchest friends Of boyhood, and who
is now winning laurels IN his profession
on the western slope. A Courier-News
reporter saw Mr. Meakn, who Is
courteous. gentlemanly representative
Of the western type OF hustling business
men, and had All interview which was
interesting regarding the people OF
Utah about whom so much has been
said and written. Mr. Meakln is not a
Mormon" lie Is married and has a
family. He is chaplain Of the lodge OF
Elks. in Salt Lake CITY, past grand
chancellor Of the knights Of Pythias for
Utah, and member Of the Fraternal Or
der of Eagles, He goes 10 Boston TO
lecture on "Fraternalism' and says his
motto is the same as Lincolns; Good
Will toward all and malice toward
none
THE MORMON" QUESTION.
The first question naturally asked OF
him IN the east Is about "Mornouism,'
and TO questions upon this subject, ne
spoke informally thus
THE Mormon question generally is
not understood. When you say Nor
mon everyone in the east takes it that
you mean polygamlst which is nos
always true. Polygamy il only one
phase of the Mormon religion, and TINS
was done away with l6 years ago The
monogamic relation exists now aDso'
lutely in Utah. Polygamy with the
Mormon people was a religious instltu-
ton but they responded 10 the Chris
tan sentiment. and the demands of tn,
United states l6 years ago. and abol-
ished It, Since then no new polyga'
nous marriages have been solemnized.
"Two-thirds of the people who were
involved I'm the polygamic system or
early times have passed away, ana now
only n remnant of this system, which
comprises about 500 old men, and old
women. who entered into the relation
ship. when there was no law against IL
remain. There is more polygamy III
New York city today TO the square root
than there is in Utah TO the square
mile. ~.
''In % years all polygamy in utah
will have passed away. There are oniy
"A polygamists now in salt Lake CltSs
and most of them are over 90 years OF
age. All are over bO.
The question has often been asked
what became of the plural wives OK
the polygamiAs. when the law aboi-
fishing polygamy went into effect. Wen
some men put all but one wire away
but the majority still kept on providing
for them, and are now supporting ana
educating the children. No one VINO
gives any thought TO the matter could
or would expect the results of mar
rage system which has been observed
for half n century could be obliterated
I'm FIVE or a dozen years. The various
relationships and collateral relation
ships growing out of the marriages
would render this impossible. No peo-
pie in the world could have righted the
mistakes of the past any quicker or
better than the Mormon" people have
done and are doing.
SENATOR REED SMoOT.
you have asked me about Reed
Smoot, United States senator from
Utah. He is Republican A years
old. n banker at Provo City. and n
graduate OF the state university. l
have known him since he was boy.
He has a wife and six bright children.
II is said that consistency is Jewell
Reed Smoot is one of the purest and
best Of men, He never has been a
polygamst, and never had but one
wife. He was the most exemplary Of
young men all his life, free from all
bad habits, never touched drop OF
liquor or tobacco In any form.
Reed Smoot represents all the beauti-
full principles Of the w. c. r. Y. In his
personal character.
"A striking contrast may be drawn
between Senator Smoot and the mem
bers OF numerous societies In large
cities, who hold the marriage vow so
lightly that husbands and wives, not
believing In the double standard OF
living, exchange formal cards absolv-
ing each other from personal re-
stralnt, the husband according his wife
the same freedom. as he claims for
himself.
A SPLENDID STATE.
Utah Is q young and growing
state. its mining industry is wonder
full. and It's stock raising and agrlcul-
ture are the pride Of its people. Salt
Lake city has population OF $4,000
progressive citizens"
In conclusion, MIR. Meakln said:
see the world IL YOU will, but see
America first, and while doing So come
to Utah. where the air Is so pure that
mountain 40 miles away, looks to be