The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-04-17
IS MoRMoNISM INTERFERING?
A Former South Dakota Editor Shows the Probability that the Wealthy
Mormon Church is Seeking to Defeat Senator kitt'edge.

1t is far from the purpose of the author of this preface to what follows to
or modes of worship for it is realized hiatt the stability of this gat republic
must rest upon the utmost freedom with respect ito religious affairs, not only as to
the manner o worshippng, mt also as to the form of appeal to the Al[wise
Father for the bestowal of spiritual blessings
mon church inmattersa affecting the interets of the people If South Dakota 1t is
alleged that opposition on the part of Senator A. B. Kithedge to the retention
caused a installing Of Mormon forces to encompass tn defeat of Senator Kit
redge for reelection Whether this suspicion be well founded must. for the
1t is known that two elders of the Mormon church-Emer William Redo
and Elder j. c. Russle-arrved in Sioux Falls about March 25, 1905. Respond
ing to newspaper interviewen, they admitted that they came here to arouse in
teret in Mormonism, N that within the near future at least twenty other
elders of the church would likewise engage in PROSECUTING in South Dakota, and
that these would probably be Joined by at least one of the apostles of the church.
The two elders mentioned have been holding streetm meetings in Sioux Fanr In
justice to them, however, it should be satedt that they disaaim any political
significance attaching to their visit in the state.
But the presence IF so large a number of Mormon missionaries in South
Dakot at this time naturally attracts more than usual attention. Senator Kit
sideution md which e sncoinct1v s, fotb in tha snaeahn hins' NJ " 1890 sm
made at Mitchell o. January 81, 1908. After briefly reviewing the act that
Utah var admitted into the union Of states through a compact entered into be
tween the territory, which wasu under Mormon control and the United States by
which Utah bound itself to Danish polygamy forever, the church, having issued a
manifesto to this effect, and agreeing to abolish pdygamou' practices, sena
against smoot:
st.; +, s; rs S: ); :: y 'Ss $ ,$ {; IT, 4s :: :: :s ~, 1, ~; e; ;sss q g :ss e.: s% ;::. J: 81: s;
tho the R Rate%e States ta e sSernn t %s. r sb.oGatav vh nene ha openly t% nlsv eetn rs severed Drrsas. m n
s ss'ss::T' It T! es sss ,; ssi & .t &; g mi 4, s e.. ss = :, i! 3 s' a isss !: ' sss;s r. III "a :: :
ae% sn ss fssa r.: !, lawn; ;s "a ass to 'f fss en- T s@s ;a that Ss It 4s ssss subject TO state and
that the only rem remedy d the 1 United States s go .s s%a had ID in n that Sse eass~ a, s ss , %y
until I tSs:. e sSe@ib saEs /, ssss ts,, ts. floor # this senate for one of your apostles
,n,. nBa ut t Saa t,a hs this to do With smoot' YOU TASK: Why, smoot became a
epessss = ss%ty Hs %o%sn, S% sna Mr. an s% nc "a 5y si ss Te sy s 1sn %a's sn if%s tine p ss's%
| e i've OF wives is ss a"S tie sf fat Sst u i sssS'ai2s s t' ase ~" an tfs %S1s 4. T seas sss 1sss "s,
to him y his fifth wife the forythird child in ALL twelve after he had signed
sat here chanting the Mormon hymns which revhe the Gentles and their faith
terms of hich the blood Of thu prophets were prayed to be visited upon this ma
came IN h must choose between his duty under his oah to the Mormon church
tor he would leave the country. It occurred tt m that Reed smoot was not the
best qualified nan that the state of Utah might have sent to that great bov to
enact law for the people of this country TO observe.
There is pending before congress- a proposed constitutional amenlmen
through the operation of which, if adopted, poygamy may be punished through
federal authority: Senator Kittrsage favors such amendment; the Mormon
church opposes it.. This suggests another reason for Mormon oppostiont TO
Senator Kittedge. t
=. az. -.-.. .... ~
Ii tms connection attention is called to the article which follows. 1t is
rom the pc OF MI. w I. Bowen, formerly the editor Of the Sioux Falls Press,
now the editor of the Idaho Scimitar published at Boise, Idaho Mr. Bowen can
nt consistently be charged with frendiness towards Senator Kittredoo for az
q eou'n DaKota eator he was not numbered among the sepatorss upporter His
vigorous eo'toHal printed IN the last issue of the Scmitr my therefore be con
sidered all the more to the point. 1t is as follows: