Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-08-11
MORMONISM AND
LOCAL OPTION
Democratic Nominee for Governor
Makes These Chief Issue

DR., w. G. whitwell, OF Salmon
City, nominee for governor on
the regular democratic ticket, was a
visitor in the city today. Dr. Whit
well is one of the pioneers in Idaho.
and has been an active participant
in the shaping of its political history.
He has served three terms In the
state legislature, and while there.
was recognized as one of the leaders
and through his effort much needed
legislation was enacted. He is full
ly conversant with the political sit
uation as It exists today IN the state.
and as 1t confronts the voters. and
was asked by a representative OF the
Press for an interview with relation
to IL.
What do you think of the demo-
cratic situation as Il exists at the
present In the state, doctor?" he was
asked. AT the present" he said.
there are two tickets In the field
the regular democratic ticket and
that known as the boilers. The
question as to which Is the legal
ticket will In all probability be car
ried into the court for final adiudica-
ton, and II will decide as to which
Of the two will be entitled to be
known as the democratic ticket, and
in my Judgment. that decision cnn
be but one way, and that IS IN fa-
for Of the regular ticket nominated
at Wallace. The split in the party
came over the Mormon question. and
II was simply an effort upon the
part of few democrats to Mormonlze
the democratic party make it the
same as the republican party Is to-
day. was a member OF the last
legislature. and that was controlled
by the Mormons There were IL
bishops or high officials of the church
In the house and four IN the senate.
and J, Frank Hunt. Mormon speaker
OF the house. saw TO II that every
important committee was presided
over by a Mormon As the Mormona
controlled the last legislature. just
in that way Will they control the com.
Ing republican state convention, and
no one will be enabled 10 be nomi.
mated TO any Of the state offices
without the approval or sanction OF
President Smith through his under.
lings. Senator Hepburn has fallen
into disrepute with the Mormons and
there was combine against him
In the Wallace republican convention,
The entire republican ticket nomi-
mated will be according to Mormon
dietation"
MOFmons Against Him.
What has occasioned the opposi.
ton OF the Mormons 10 Hepburn,
and who are they likely TO favor for
his placer" he was asked Senator
Hepburn" he said, made a number
of speeches In the last campaign
which offended the Mormons aud thes
have never gorgiven him for II. lie
made the statement that the provi-
sion of the constitution disfranchis
ing the Mormons was self operative
and that n ever II DISTINGUISHED them
II did so then, aud would continue
to do so until that section was r..
pealed The Mormons did not like
It and they made up their minds thai
he would have to pay the penalty
for II. which with them Is political
oblivion, and II Is my opinion thai
they are going 10 see TO e that this
is done at the coming convention
Barney o'Neil. according 10 present
indications. is the man who Will taks
Heyburns place. He has bad aspi
rations for IT. as ] understand. for
some time. and lately be has made
peace with the church and will Sc
cure the nomination. lie viii be al
the convention with delegation
from shoshone. and IN the primaries
held here yesterday. understand. q
delegation was elected that win be
favorable to him. and these. togethei
with delegations that he win secure
from other counties when taken with
the delegations that viii be given
him by the Mormons. viii make him
the nominee for senator. as II is onl,
requires 80 votes besides those con.
trolled by the Mormons to make a
majority OF the convention
Removal OF Agricultural College.
DO you believe that any attempt
viii be made BY the Mormons 70 move