The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-03-01
Blaine Phillips Frees His Mind
on the Worth of Their
Work.
THINKS VERY LITTLE OF 1T:
THEY ARE INCOMPETENT
And DenOunceS Their Evident
TndispOsition to DO
Their Duty.

The ninth session OF the Idaho JegIs-
lature was grilIed IN most caustlc terms
last night by Blaine Phillips, editor of
the Northwest Magazine, for its utter
disregard of the interests Of the peo-
pie OF the State and for its unseemly
determination 10 place Idaho in Utah S
ignoble predicament. Mr.. Phillips was
most emphatic in his denunciatlon, OK
plotting the political rottenness with all
the energy at his command. He said
sarcastically that the Ninth session sur
passed all other legislative bodies in
harmonious action and perfect merging
of ideas when it passed the legislative
appropriation bill without a dissenting
vote. He pointed out that the Legis-
Iature had broken faith with the peo-
pie, and had virtually accomplished
nothing; that the session has been a
monstrous farce from beginning to end.
He brought out several crystalized IL
lustrations which put to flight the
claims of freedom from affiliation with
the hierarchy, and said that some of
the legislators were bent upon satisfy
ing craven tastes rather than upon
studying and understanding conditions
and making laws for the public better
ment. He said;
with n few exceptions the Idaho
Lawmakers are the most incompetent
lawmakers [ have ever seen There is
no moro convincing illustration Of their
indifference TO duty, Of their lack of
sincerity, than the action of the Sen
ate In emasculating the test oath and
suggesting legislation which deviated
from the Constitution. The Senate has
shown determination to favor the
n hn, Il
both OF the law and Of conditions,
From a legal standpoint there was the
precedent of decision handed down by
the Supreme Court of Utah in the Park
case, which held that a celestial. pa-
trlarchal or sealing marriage was bind
ing, that it was n tie sufficiently strong
to eDtitle celestial wife TO the de,
ceased s estate. If the brilliant law
yers who, in part, form the Senate were
aware of this holding, why did they cut
ont the terms celestial and patriarch
al. Moreover, If they are lawyers.
why did they suggest that the Lepis-
lature transcend its sphere and deviate
from the text of the constitutional test
oathy If they were not familiar either
with the law or the Constitution of the
State Of Idaho, their presumption in
discussing the question pro or con was
iutolerable.
The Test Oath Law.
The oath recommended is absurd.
and the oath suggested in the unspeak-
able message of Gov. Gooding was an
insult TO public decency. The executive
wrote that he was opposed to lepisIa.
non directed against a religious sect,
/ cannot quite get at his perspective.
II there were no Mormons there would
be no need nee to make laws against poyg.
amy; They have never ceased teaching
ing IL; and so soon as some genius finds
a new name for polygamy they will
practice it openly, if they can. If
they do not, they will he eternalIv
damned. and they cannot enter into the
glory or Godl | am satisfied that the
ldaho legislators are aware of this.
and the only excuse have been able 10
discover for their action is that Con
gresslonal bees arc huzzing around the
capitol 1t now is question of sub
serving State to fortify self interest
ran think of nothing moro inexpress.
IDLY cowardly, unmanly and unpatriot-
&c Than tins absolute betrayal of public
trust, and 1t is time that the neonIe !
should know of something more tban
the exotic characters of the lsw.mak. I
ers. have unlimited contempt for
man who fears the consequence of ex.
pressing an honest opinion, or who re
trains from voicing his convictions to
make make himself solid with those who
might help in furthering his career as
public man. | have studied the Ida.
10 Legislators simply with the idea If
'scertainlng what kind OF men were
'erElng the people, and T now know
heir ability, their minds and their NOR.
Ills. Some are worthy of their nos;.
ions. and others are utterly unit to
'ssoc1ate with respectable people. IF
.hev had only shown some inclination
o study the conditions and 10 discern
shat legislation was most needed. they
As to what has been done bv tbe
Iinth session, its behavior in L,II;ne,
ne n, two mile limit law is Characteristic
he legislators have broken faith IN
early everything that has been under.
aken. Ii will be seen upon the close
7 the session that the Ninth is m;fe
i'a no
For 0Vor IJfA-