Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-01-22
POLITICAL MATTERS.

Discussing the question Of the inter-
ference of the Church In political mat
tiers, he traced the Church history,
showing that when the Mormons went
sessed all the characteristics OF reiig-
ious exodus. In the beginning they
probably felt no need OF a civil gov
eminent at all. '"Their religion TO them
was everything and other matters We're
of subordinate concern he said. for
90 years they were isolated from the
world There were no telegraphs,. no
railroads, no newspapers except their
own. When civil government was
formed the religious leaders became
their officials. Eventually the rule or
the Church became more and more, un-
til the government in Utah was vir-
tuai theocracy. The Gentiles, who or
ganized under the name OF the Liberal
party. fought to overthrow polygamy
and Church control in government mat
tiers while the Mormon people or
ganized the Peoples party. For 20
years the fight was altogether pro-
church and anti-church in character
In 1891. after the polygamy manifesto
the Peoples party was abandoned and
organizations affected along national
party lines. Since then, while charges
of Church interference have been made
from time to time. and while there may
have been instances of interference by
leading Church officials In politics, on
the whole there has been marvellous adj
vance"
In electing officers the Gentiles had
not been, on the ground that they We're
Gentiles, unfairly treated by Mormon
voters. said Mr.. Sutherland. He
thought that there was at least no more
disposition on the part of Morrnons 10
vote against Gentiles than there was
on the part of the Gentiles to vote
against MOrfnOns
CONDITIONS TODAY.
II do not say that conditions are per-
feet in Utah--they are not perfect any
where; but ] do say that conditions are
immeasurably better today than they
have ever been before, and they will
be better in the future than they are
today. ! do not claim there are no
evils among the people: some remnants
of the old Objectionable conditions per-
sist but l do claim that these evils are
fewer in number and less In extent
than they have ever been before, and
in my judgment it Is only matter OF
a short time until they will be eradi-
Gated altogether"
MORMONS PATRIOTIC.
MIR. Sutherland declared that any
charge that life or property was in the
slightest degree unsafe In Utah, that
children to disrespect the flag, or that
there was any feeling OF hostility
toward the general government, was a
cruel falsehood. He instanced the fact
that when the war was declared with
Spain, Mormon and Gentle alike en-
listed in large numbers. Tho Utah bat
terles, he said, under the command OF
Maj. Richard w. Young. himself g.
Mormon. a grandson OF Brigham
Young, and as brave and loyal and
splendid a gentleman as ever wore the
uniform Of a soldier, won for them
selves in the Philippines. name OF
heroic and imperishable glory.
SENATOR sMooT's ATTITUDE.
Mr.. Smoot himself, said Mr.. Suther-
land. had always insisted that the prac-
tise OF polygamy should he Abandoned;
had never been a polygamist. ana not a
line of testimony could be round which
indicated that he had ever advocated
the practise of polygamy. He said Mr..
Smoots whole life had been clean and
above reproach; that the demand of the
petitions that he should be removed
from the United States senate In order
that he might not from that exalted
place make war upon the American
home, was hysteria pure and simple.