The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-03-28
OPEN LETTER
ISSUED BY
VIC. T.U.
MORMON CHURCH OF OGDEN AO-
DRESSED BY ORGANIZATION
Appeal Made for Cooperation In Work
for Civic Improvement and a
More Moral City.

The following open letter was ad~
opted by the Woman's Christian Tenn
Derance Union at a meeting Friday;
ITO the members OF the Mormon
church in Ogden. Dear Sisters and
Brothers: We appeal to you because
your church is the largest one here.
and because 1t, therefore, should have
and does have the most influence In
civic affairs.
Are you satisfied with the present
conditions In Ogden?
DO you approve OF the things that
are being done under the sanction OF
tho city government
1T is common knowledge that about
90 saloons are In operation in Ogden,
and that the majority of them keep
open all night.
you should know that there are
half dozen gambling houses which
are licensed Tor fined) by the city.
"If you hayo read the reports or
proceedings In the police court, you
have noted that from 40 to 6O lewd
women pay monthly fines into the city
and In return are given permits TO
continue their vile traffic.
DO you approve of these things
1T is said that these are necessary
evils. Do you consider them neces-
sary7
1T Is said that If these evils are
abolished and the city's share of the
profits of these traftics are lost, that
taxes will be higher
Does that have any influence with
you?
1T is said that II these evil-doers
are driven out or the town. then much
business will be lost 10 the city.
Even IL that were true, are you
willing to weigh the business inter
ests of the city in the balance against
the welfare Of your boys and girls!
Every Catholic and Protestant pull
pit In the city has gone on record
against these evils and the members
of these churches contribute OF their
financial and moral strength against
them.
why Is there 80 little activity In
the Mormon church.
is it because you have considered
that the responsibility for these con-
ditions rests exclusively upon the
Gentlles.
IF SO, has not the day gone by
when that can be said?
Are there no Mormon saloonkeep-
ers and wholesale liquor dealers?
Are there no Mormon barkeepers
and gamblers?
Are there no Mormon property
owners who rent their buildings Tor
evil purposes2
Are there no Mormon patrons or
these places.
Finally, are there no Mormon busi-
ness men and property owners who ap-
prove OF these things as money max
ers for the city,
1T is said that at least half the
population of Ogden is Mormon.
THE mayor is Mormon.
1.-THE chief OF police is a Mormon.
and so are three,fourths OF the police
force
"Two-thIrds OF the city council are
Mormons.
1t looks as though the city's policy
regarding these evils is being carried
out by Mormon city government.
Who dictates that policy
who sanctions and approves or
1t?
What do you say. you presidents
Of three stakes, which includes Og-
den City,
What do you say, YOU bishops oil
eight wards in Ogden
What do you say, you Sunday
school suDerintendenS and teachers?
What have you to say, you young
men and women of the Improvement
association?
Finally. what have YOU to say, you
women Of the Relief societies.
rs your silence, the silence oil con-
sent or disgust?
I'VE believe that your answer is
that YOU disapprove.
Can you not make that answer as
loud and strong that every citizen in
Ogden will hear 1t and that no city
official Will dare TO ignore 1t?
we await your action and assure
you OF our hearty cooperation.
yours for cleaner city.
(SiGned)
The Ogden Woman's Christian
Temperance Union"