Mormons

Michael Kent Winder explores the relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons. Winder focuses on the controversy that arose after the election of Reed Smoot to the United States Senate. Winder writes that Roosevelt decided to support Smoot after receiving assurances that Smoot did not practice polygamy, and he notes that Roosevelt expected Smoot to deliver Utah for him in the 1904 election. Winder highlights Roosevelt’s 1903 visit to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Roosevelt became the first president to speak from the pulpit of the Mormon Tabernacle. Winder traces Roosevelt’s relationship with the Mormons after he left the presidency, noting Roosevelt’s support of Mormons in the face of bigotry and Smoot’s presence at Roosevelt’s funeral.

Five photographs, two illustrations from newspapers, and a political cartoon supplement the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

President Cleveland stands next to a large “Reform Buzz-Saw” labeled “Pat. 1884 by G. Cleveland” at a sawmill, where three members of his cabinet “Manning, Whitney, [and] Bayard” are milling lumber labeled “For the Improvement of the Custom House” and “Props for the Navy.” A carpenter’s square labeled “Honesty” rests against some boards at Cleveland’s feet. A group of newspaper editors, congressmen, and a dog labeled “Blaine’s Pup” have entered on the left. Among them are “Dana, McLean, Vance, Eustis, Reid, Beck, Evarts, Sherman, Medill, [and] Edmunds.” They are standing just outside the “Secretarys Office” where Daniel S. Lamont is sitting. Through the open door is visible a wagon loaded with large logs labeled “Mormon Question, Silver Question, Tariff Ques, [and] Coast Defences.” Caption: Foreman Cleveland (kindly but firmly) “Boys, don’t monkey with the buzz-saw!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1886-02-03