The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-03-14
The Anarchists of Government.

ton of Idaho prohibits polygamst teachers and prac
tctioners from voting or holding office, the Const
tuition is not made applicable by the objectors
They consider that this question, remaining unan-
swered d1Sposes of the issue and they assume that
there is provision of constitution disfranchine
poyamists, although the constitutional convention
enacted such provision and made it irrevocable
Answer has been frequently made that the state
and local authorities would not permit the enforce
ment OF the constitution, but such reply does not
seem to rob the argument of the query of its robust
proportions, for it is used as glib1y as before
The story of the experiences of of the citizens
of Idaho who attempted to enforce the constitution in
1906 may be of interest in this connection 1t is an
account of the experiences of IT, C. Olsen, of Grace,
Idaho and he tells it himself for the edication of the
readers of The Scmitar. This is his story:
On November g. 1906 at Grace Idaho I challenged
the vote of James Brewer of Turner, Idaho on the
ground that he member of and contributed
to the support OF an organization that taught and
(non- Mormon), Frank Andrews, (Mormon), and
Fred ]. Potter, (Mormon). While reading the cha-
enge some one behind curtain, where the ballots
were being counted, made deafenng noise by kick
ing the ballot boxes and at the time shouting
"Put him out" Miss Minnie Sullivan daughter of
Postmaster Sullivan, came out from behind the cur
tain and said, "Put the traitor out!" "Apostate!"
The other voices we're mems and think we're O. H.
Warner and B. Barton. No attempt was made by
the peace officers to stop this confusion and [ was
compelled to read louder. I gave a copy of Art
6, Sec. 8 of the Constitution of Idaho to Q. R.
Pack, who read about one-third of it. He then read
from blue book the registration oath to Mr.
Brewer and asked Mr.. Brewer if he coulI take that
to which Mr.. Brewer answered, yes" Mr.. Pack
said, Then | don't see why he can't vote. [ then
picked the copy of the constitution turned toward
the other Judges who had not said anything, and
about to ask for their decision when George Hamp,
(Mormon), threatened me with stick and
COR fMOto t,a+ Or1 1-oI
ment and then again turned toward the other Judges
and was about to address them when Mr.. Hamp
c1nched me. Some one from behind twisted by nose
and five six Mormons, or as many as could get
hold of me, marched me out of doors. Outside Mr..
Sullivan (Postmaster) said, ARREST him, take him
to Pocatello to jail Don't let him get away. He
came up to me, shook his fist in my face and said
mo more of that kind of work here will hang
YOU"
Of course it will be understood that I, being the
principal in the affair, did all hear all, but
| name the following witnesses: Geo. Mcclellan of
Niter Idaho, J. J. Trappett of Grace, and Mr. Call of
Soda Springs, Idaho.
This is an account of the experiences of one man
only. Others there are who had similar experiences
Some were put into jail and kept there until after
the closing of the polls and their were lost
in addition to the infection of gross outrages on ct
for attempting to enforce the Constitution of the
State.
These anarchistc transactions were encouraged and
sustained by the Governor of the State who assured
the violators of the law that they would be pro-
tected by the executive authority and the Mormon
istic population advised by party leaders to
itself and enforce resistance the constitution with
death dealing weapons if it appeared to become
necessary.
The reasons herein set forth for the failure of the
Jaw and order party to enforce the law do prove
that it might not have enforced the law had it seen
it to have resorted to violence, the invitation
IF the violators of the law But with the local and