The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-03-07
Opinion by the Committee.

ventions of the party, interviewed by The
Scimitar the Mormon question. They were
asked if they were in favor of abandoning the Nor
mon issue in Idaho in the coming campaign and the
following is what they had to say:
E. R. Coulter, Washington County: I believe the
Mormon question is the paramount state issue, I am
unequivocably in favor of Incorporating into the
state platform to be adopted at Wallace the plank
on that question adopted at Occur d Alene in 1906
J. P. Dunn, Bonner County: The interference of
the Mormon church with existing laws and its OBJ
struction to reform legislation, is serious menace
to good government within the State of Idaho
c. E. Arney, Ada County The test oath is in
Constitution. The Democratic party is on record to
enact it into statute and to fix penalties for enforcing
it. Every Democratic member of Our state 1egisla-
ture last winter and twenty Republican MEMBERS
are equally on record for this 1t would be cow
ard1y now for us to abandon this righteous conflict
and there is not total of 300 Democrats in Idaho
today who have any sort of an idea that it should be
abandoned There are $4,000 Republicans in Idaho
today who wish the Republican party had this issue.
Harry L. Day, Shoshone County: With all due
respect to whatever honest difference of opinion
may exist the matter, it does not in my judgment
wise to ignore so prominent an issue and so
conspicuous a plank in former party platforms.
To do so would amount to qualification of esab-
ished position for political expediency of doubtful
value
A. T. Ryan, Bingham County: God hates quit
ter and do not covet such denomination.
J. NJ WOODBURY., Ada County: When the citizens
of Idaho are ready to eliminate the Constitution of
their state then the elimination of the anti Mormon
contention as calculated in the last platform adopted
by the Democratic party of the state will receive due
consideration
A do No Not mill he
priestly rule of the Mormon church in Idaho is for
ever abolished and all those of its members prac-
ticing poygamy are punished and the evil fully
stamped out as contemplated by Constitution
c. J. Bassett, Ada County: l am in favor of the
enforcement of every provision of the Constitution
of the state There be no free expression of the
voters of the state until the hierarchy is eliminated
from the politics of the state
Henry Heitfe1d, Nez Perez County: The Demo
cratic party in convention assembled has spoken
twice and will again speak, and more emphat1cally
than ever 1t is not matter of opinion but matter
of principle with me. l prefer honorable defeat to
dishonorab1e success. Silence Our part will lay
us open to suspicion that willing to trade
and bargain principle for office.
S. P. Donne11y Kootenai County: There are at
this time more reasons than ever why the Demo
cratic party of Idaho should "stand pat" the
Mormon question
N H. Clark, Custer County The fight will be
continued for our Constitution and against the Nor
mons until they agree to and do measure up to the
standard of citizenship required by the Constitution
L. + Weaver, E1more County: well begun is
half done" Never go back what you think is
right Keep at it.
K l. Perky, Ada County: I offered resolution
to refer this question directly to the Democratic
electorate of the state and have the rank and hle
of the party settle this question at the primary.
I think this is fair solution of the matter.