The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-02-29
MOrmOnism and the Schools.


it knows how to say itself, the Boise Capital News
reproduces the following from the columns of the
Soda Springs (Idaho) Chieftain:
It is understood that the public school at Black
foot Idaho, is in charge of Methodist minister.
Blackfoot is the home of Fred 7. Dubois, the cham
pion Mormon fighter, who objects so strenuously to
church dictation. Wonder what he thinks of this
action of his home school board? Would he stand
for the placing of a Catholic priest in the
position? We know he would yell himself hoarse if
the principal happened to be Mormon bishop, but
it is probably all right for Methodist minister to
fill the position.
If the Methodist divine breaches the doctrine of
plural marriage or lives in plural marriage both,
it is probable that Mr.. Dubois would consider him
an unfit person to be placed in charge of the educa
ton of the children of B1ackfoot or of any other
community.
If he advocates the control of the state by the
church to which he belongs Mr.. Dubois would TN
doubtedly look upon him as a dangerous to
trust with the training of the young
The Blackfoot community, composed largely of just
and careful people, evidently sympahizes with the
champion Mormon fighter" Blackfoot is the home
of the officials of stake of the Mormon church
the president and other stake 1eaders-and about
half it's population is Mormon Of the Gentiles fully
one-haf are Republicans. But they understand
fully the Mormon question in its relation to the pub
lie schools that they refuse to permit one Nor
mon to have place the school board
The Scimtar takes advantage of the opportunity
to discuss the subject of Mormonism and the public
schools placed in its way by the Soda Springs Chief
tain and the Boise Capital News in collaboration, tor
it has some facts to place before the public that
should be given to the parents of the children OF Ida
no.
1t asks attention to the evidence of serious inter
ference with educational methods-methods that are
everywhere outside the Mormon states jealousy
guarded from UNCONVENTIONAL interference.
In his testimony before the Smoot investigating
committee beginning page 1O5 OF volume two)
Arthur Morning stated under oath that ne was
teachr at Co11inston, Utah, and had taught there
sixteen months That the school taught by him was
public school, supported by state taxation under
the general school system-a district school, The
examination then proceeded:
O. Have YOU ever been called upon to conduct
what is called religion classes" in your school!
o. And how did that request or direction come to
you?
A. 1t came by letter.
O. What reply did you make to these nStruc-
tons you received?
A. I made no reply to them at all.
O. But you did not follow the nstructins therein
contained?
A. No. sir.
Q. Do you know who is the stake presidency OF
that stake?
A. I believe Fred J. Holton, Nels Madsen and
George w. Watkins.
Q. You are not Mormon?
A. No, sir.
The letters in which Mr. Morning was directed
by the officials of the Mormon church to conduct
religion classes" were submitted in evidence (pages
1O7, 1OS and 1O9-1O volume of the testimony ana
verified by the witness. These letters read as follows
Office of the Stake Board of Religion Class work