The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-05-08
POLYGAMY ONE
Of THE ISSUES
Bishops of the Methodist EpiS-
Copal Church Present
Strong Address.
MUCH ENTHUSIASM SHOWN
PLEDGE OF ETERNAL ENMiTY TO
LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

Baltimore, Nd, May THE feature
of today's sitting of the quadrenniaI
general conference of the Methodist
Episcopal bishops was a representation
of the episcopal address prepared by
the bishops. Bishop Daniel A. Goodsell
OF Boston read the address.
In the course of a discussion of civil
righteousness, the bishops say:
We see clearly that within the next
generation there are to be great social
changes. The influence of wealth on
political life and measures is TO grow
less, whether il be in the hands of in
dividuais or corporations. The work.
lngmen are TO have more power. the
lulers less. With a restless and icOno-
elastic future before US, we must both
lead and restrain by religious forces.
Satisfaction is expressed that there
has been prevented the re-establiSh-
ment of the canteen and the fouling
again of the nations hand by direct
participation in the sale of liquor"
Divorce Question.
AS to divorce:
The consecutive polygamy permitted
by the divorce laws of some of our
states is disgrace TO our country. 1t
continues to undermine family life and
factions that which God means shall
be a unit We greatly rejoice that the
conscience of the nation is being
quickened on this subject and the de
mand for uniform divorce laws in
crease"
PoIygamy.
As to MOrmonism the bishops de
clare:
I'VE believe from the best evidence
we can obtain that the pOlygamOus
practices of the past are still found in.
the states and territories occupied in
part by representatives of the Mormon.
body. In several states they have such
political strength and furnish such
sympathetic juries that the law against
such pOlygamOus practices cannot be
executed. We believe that as in di-.
.Vorce these must be brought within the
scope of national legislation before the.
evils can be reached with sufficient
vigor to punish them as they deserve
We trust, therefore, you will consider
whether it is not wise for you TO advo-
cate some constitutional amendment
which will make polygamy and polyga-
NOUS practices a crime against the
United States"
Child Labor.
In the section devoted to child labor.
the address says:
In the name of Jesus Christ. we
protest against the sacrifice of child
hood on the altar of mammon, whether
it be the sloth of parents or the greed
OF prOprietOrs. We demand from leg
islators such laws as will, in securing
freedom to children from exhausting
toll, contribute to the vitality, the
growth and the moral power and moral
sense of all youthful employees"
Trades Unions.
The bishops have quite a little to say
as 10 wOrkingmen and the church and
also to trades unions, a part being as
follows:
For those who labor with their
hands and whose reward is wage the |
church has great sympathy. We hold
the right Of those workingmen who de- /
sire 10 do so TO form labor unions for
the advancement of their interests as
we hold the right of individual labor
ers. who prefer to do so, to seek the !
control of their own labor The church |
and the trades unions should seek each |
others help for the uplift of mankind" |
The reading of the address was inter
rupted frequently by applause when |
the bishops voice reached some telling !
point in the document.
Eternal Enmity to Liquor.
When he read its denunciation of the /
liquor traffic. he called upon the dele |
gates to rise here, now and with the !
bishops pledge eternal enmity to this /
foe of man and God" the entire assem- |
blage sprang TO its feet, uttering cheer
after cheer. One OF the delegates started |
10 sing America" The great throng |
caught up the hymn and the hal re- |
sounded with its strains. As the last |
refrain ceased, some one began the /
hymn, GLORY, Glory, Hallelujah, Our /
God Is Marching On"
This new outlet for the enthusiasm. f.
which seemed to grow was seized upon 4
ana TO the tune of John Browns |
Body, the song was repeated several |
times.
Tremendous handclapping greeted the 1