The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-07-17

More than lOO presldentS and proml-
nent members of the national councils
of the International Council of Women,
representing every civilized country on
The globe and typifying the highest es-
sence of intelligenc and progress of the
women who lead the world. were vel
coined, entertained. banqueted and bid
den God speed by Salt Lake City, when
they stopped here Friday afternoon and
night on their transcontinental trip
eastward from Seattle.
The party was made up Of the most
brilliant women who have become ia
nous throughout the world in every
line of endeavor for the uplifting and
purifying of the human race, There
were women who were pioneers in the
world wide struggle of the sex for
equality and freedom in church. poll
tics and state; women who fought for
women s rights years ago, in defiance
Of the scoffs and iecrs of men. and in
spite of the shrinking discouragements
presented By the timid members Of their
own sex: women who have led the fight
in European countries for the fran
chise; women who have gained the
highest pinnacle of success through
their achievements in the realms of sci
ence literature and the arts.
They came TO Salt Lake City as the
Mecca of equal suffrage. and paid trlb-
ute TO this state as one Of the first
civilized communities in the world to
grant equal rights politically TO women.
Unfortunate Circumstance.
Their visit was marred by but one
unfortunate circumstance From the
time Of their arrival until they returned
TO their train, the ban Of Mormonism
hung over the affair like a pail. IT
swiftly dawned on all of the eminent
visitors that the Mormon church,
through It's first presidency. had de
tormined to take advantage Of the situ
alton in every possible way, with the
deliberate purpose OF attempting 10 I'M
press them with the power and social
standing in Salt Lake City of that or.
ganization. Ii this was the purpose of
the weli-laid scheme of entertainments,
however. il failed miserably. Instead
of clearing the Mormon church from
the stigma Of polygamy in their eyes,
it intensified the revulslon of these
women for the Mormon system. and
they departed with the expressed in
tentoD of telling their follow workers
in Europe of the manner in which they
were received by the church officials
here
The Gentle and Christian women of
Salt Lake City were prevented from
properly joining jn the welcome and
entertainment by a pre-arranRed plan
under which the programme was ear
ricd out.
The first TO revolt at the attempted
Mormon domination was a committee
of club women, prominent as the lead
ors of progressive thought in Salt Lake
City. who absolutely refused TO par
ticipate in the affair, after il was
nounced by Mrs. Emmcline 3. Wells,
chairman of the reception committee.
that The first presidency OF the Nor
mon church would take part.
Led by Mrs. Allen.
The Gentle women were led by
Mrs Corrine NJ. Allen, of 929 First
avenue. and her committee, consisting
OF Mrs. g. s. Norton. chairman: Mrs.
A. j. Gorham Mrs. \. r. Moon, and
Mrs. 4. s, Starkweather.
Mrs. Allen stated that the announce
ment was made without authority Of
The committee. that the first presi-
dency of the Mormon church had been
invited to participate IN the welcome,
as the honorcd guests Of the local com
inttee
THAT was. the first intimation that
the committee had, sand Mrs. Allen.
We had no intimation that President
smith Of the Mormon church was to be
the. guest of the committee.
AS member Of the Christian
league ] cannot countenance the use
OF my name in any connection with
that Of the first presidency Of the
Mormon church, and there is no reason
why we should as a Christian commit
toe, representing a Christian organiza-
tlon, consider or honor these mem
Letter to Mrs. Wells
Mrs. Allen gave n copy Of the fol-
lowing letter, which she sent TO Mrs
Emmeline Il. Wells. chairman Of the
A committee OF the Women S Relief So
ciety of the Mormon church, which had
been named TO participate in the vel
come but without the sanction or
knowledge of the official welcoming
party,
AT Mrs, HOLSTERS request, I was glad
10 respond to your call chairman OF
the committee 10 meet the delegation OF
women from Seattle. have proved in
the past my respect for you personally
and my recognition of your ability as IL
leader. I would be glad To ignore all
differences of opinion and carry out the
plans for the day, but as In my judgment
tnc honoriug OF a man who stands for
The violation Of the law which the Ma
uona league is organized 10 uphold, puts
my committee and myself IN a position
~ which the only solution OF the question
~ TO withdraw altogether We shall.