Chicago, Nov. 23.--wilfred Woodruff

president ui tte Mormon church, hag made the following statement in regard to the investigation in progresa at Salt Lake City: Salt Lake City, Nov. 23. This is the periodical anti-Mormon sensalion which we are accustcmed to expect in November. Congress meets in December and it is presumed that the usual efiortg will be made to secure legislation again.-t the Motmong. Of coursu this cannot be accomplisbed unless the public mind is prepared for it. In addition to this I might explain that we are on the eve of an important municipal eleotion here in which the auti-Mormon party, by preventing the naturalizaron of Mormons and in olher improper wayn, hopes to be succeasful. I uan truthfully sav that there is absolutely nothing in the Mormon religión that is not consistent with the most patriotic devotion to the government of the Uoited States. The revelation and commandmeats to the church require that the conetitution and laws of the land shall be upheld. It is also ■ part of our belief that a time will come when this country will be detracied by departure9 from the spint and letter of the constitution, ar d when general lawlesaness wül prevail, acd when that coodition shall arrive the Mormon people -vrill step forward and take an active part in rescuiog the Nation from ruin. As a people, the Mormons have the highe8t veneration for tne institutions of the Republic. In regard to the claim that the priesthood or chief authorities of the church assen or usurp the right to control the Mormon peopla in all their temporal, including political affairs, I would ssy I am the present liead of thechuroh and I do not muke any such claim. It would be impossible to exercise it if 1 did. All the management of elections down to the smallest details is in the hands of the officers of the United States government and their appointees. Trut-, the Mormons are to a considerable degree united in their political affairs. This is largely due to their being constantly and vindiciively assailed by small minority in Utah, who have sought to wrest the conirol of public atfairs from the hands of the mejority. Concerning the cry about blood stonement there is this: The foundation of our religious faith is belief in the atoniDg blood of Chnst through whioh the resurection will be brought Bbout. We believe in the scripture doctrine "Who so sheddeth man's blood by man shall his blood be shed," but also believe that all executions for murder should be under the law of the land and by itg officeri only. Statements made by two or three apostate Morraon witnesses to the effect that E idowment cenemonies involved the dea'h penality upon those who leave the church and disobey the priesthood are simpiy untrue. The Mormona on the stand decline to disclose the formula of tb eodowments becati8e secret religious rites and ceremonies are the property of thp individual citiZtin and do not belong tofthe state. You might as well ask why 8 Mason, if he were, plaued on the witnets stand, should refuse to reveal the rights and signs of that order.