| Show PRESIDENT WOODRUFFS VIEWS 1 thim THE following account of an interview between president woodruff and an associated press reporter who was in this city a few days ago to is published in the eastern papers SAM SALT LAKE CITY feb 11 president woodruff the head of the mormon church today gave to the associated press the only statement he has evet made upon the political fight which has just fust ended here his interview which is as follows can be understood der stood as the feeling of every mormon in the territory president woodruff I 1 would like to got get your views as to the political campaign here and the questions at issue 11 well sir I 1 consider this as something more than a more mere question of what men shall compose the city belof government and what party they belong to there ir in a deep laid scheme to de erive rive the mormon people of all po E right and privileges su so that the minority here may obtain control of the territory they cannot do this by fair means so they resort to foul by misrepresentation and taking advantage of popular prejudice against the mormon founded chiefly in ig norance they succeeded in securing the disfranchisement of the older settlers who made the country and then of all the women this not giving these schemers a majority they have sought other means the edmunds tucker act has begged helped them somewhat but the test oat oath it provides can be taken by a majority at least as well asb as by their opponents ngow now they want every mormon deprived of the right to vote and hold office no matter bow good and law abiding a citizen he may be at the ogden election a year ago large numbers of the names of resident voters were stricken from the registration lists hundreds of non residents were imported and the election was carried b by the liberals by open araudi fraud and since dan oe then thelby by A fictitious valuation atio I 1 the assessments of property have been raised from three to five times the former amounts of taxes vice has flourished official salaries have been raised public improvements have not advanced and the change is deplored by the best people of both parties 41 boasts were made after the ogden election that salt lake would be the next point of attack and that it would be carried by similar means the result has proved the boast not to have been n made in vain 1 I consider the election has been gained here by striking from the registration gi lists hundreds of legally qualified citizens and by the votes of hordes of now new comers not lawful citizens s 1 I regard the action of the registrars tb their e tr sitting as a court to judge of their own ads acts and the whole course pursued as part of the scheme to capture the city at all hazards I 1 view it with profound regret as prostitution of law and official power that should sadden every lover of fair play and welfare of his country what effect will this change have upon the church and the peoples party oh as to that I 1 cannot see that the church will in any way be affected as an organization it is entirely separate and apart from political matters members of the church belon belong to 0 the peoples party and they adur atur ally feel that they have been robbed of their rights at the polls but I 1 presume that it will not affect their political views or status the church was not in that campaign and the result will have no bearing u upon it at all that I 1 can see t t what at will be the future policy of the church so far as I 1 know it will be to preach the gospel to all the world instruct its members in their religious duties and move forward to its davini ty ordained destiny as the actual living church of christ Is there any probability of the mormon church or people removing to mexico or elsewhere 1 I 1 none that I 1 know of I 1 do not see any necessity of such removal individual members may inay go where they choose to better their condition but there is not nor has there been any contemplation of any such exodus as you ask about what is the mormon idea of its rule as the kingdom of god it is this we hold that this church was set up tip and organized by command of the almighty that it has the right to formulate and maintain rules of church discipline applying to its own members that the extent of its punitive powers is the excommunication of the transgressor that it has no power to punish anyone tion of life liberty or property or pes bonal injury in any form forin that governments ern ments should not regulate the church nor the church seek to control the state that all men should be politically free and equal free to vote as they please and to sustain what politics they please so that they do not infringe upon the rights of others awe we believe this church will prepare the way for the coming of christ to reign as king and that this church will then develop into the kingdom of god which all christians pray will come that the will of god may be done on earth as it is in heaven we believe in the full and free agency of man n and that when that kingdom is established there will be perfect liberty on earth civil political and religious religions ligi li gions ous 11 then you do not feel gloomy as to the ultimate result of bf this election no I 1 believe taxes will be raised that there will be such a looseness of restraint imposed upon immorality and such a striking contrast formed under liberal rule that order honor honesty and consistent progress of the city under the peoples regime that as in ogden the more respectable people of au all classes w 11 soon desire a return to former methods the plotters against the majority will probably be emboldened to pursue their thair plans for the destruction of a republican government in the territory but I 1 should be sorry to believe that congress or the country will proceed proceed to such unconstitutional ans and infamous extremities as those that will be proposed in any eventt event there is a power superior to all men who will overrule all things that happen for the good of those who serve him ly president woodruff appeared to be in good health and not in the least worried over the result of the election he is adow now in his hia year and apparently parent ly as strong and well preserved as the ordinary man at 50 |
