[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Alexander Badlam Pres[iden]t of the Bankers and Merchants Mutual Life Ins. of California called on me and expressed the desire for me to accept their agency. I asked Mr. Badlam a number of questions and from his own admissions I could not have any confidence in him or his company. ... By accident I have learned that Badlam is one of "our friends" as George Q. Cannon calls them that is doing so much to get us admitted as a state. I have less confidence than ever of success since learning this. It is one of the untold mysteries to me that George Q. Cannon will employ such men as Alexander Badlam to work in the interests of our people in the efforts for Statehood, and trust him with the secret workings of our efforts and not be willing to trust the members of our Quorum. W. Woodruff, George Q. Cannon and Jos[eph] F. Smith are a committee having in charge the expenditure of all moneys for Statehood and from my information Badlam is the head man in spending money to secure the influence of the leading newspapers of the country in our behalf. I would give almost anything if Badlam had inspired me with his honesty as my hopes for the freedom of the people would be greatly increased. I shall hail the day with unbounded delight when the members of our quorum shall be of such a character that their will be perfect confidence so that the combined wisdom of all may be had in each and every effort for the advancement of the people. Meeting Badlam has made me sad and disheartened on the state movement. I would to heaven we had some strong honest men marking for us instead of such a man I think he is.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
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