Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-07
Utah Territory Judge Sinclair.

We have received from TREAT SAT- Like
City, Kirk Andcrson'> Valley Tan OF the
4th and 18th Of January last. The nlted
States District Court for til: 3rd Judicial
District, was adjourned sim die on the 18th
Of that month During the sitting OF the
Court the Grand Jury ignored bill OF IN
dictment against Christanson. charged with
the murder Of deaf and dumb boy. Speak
Ing of this, the Valley Tan says:
Thus ends this chapter of blood and the
crime forever. We understand, however,
that portion of the Grand Jury presented
a memorial to Judge Sinclair, begging 10 be
discharged.
The reason for this, although the memo
rial does not state it, is that they are salts
fed the laws cannot BE- executed i'll this Ter
ritory, and hence Il petition for discharge.
What action the Court will take upon 1t,
remains to be seen The condition OF the
L. 5. Courts, in this Territory is one OF serl-
Gus import, and we feel satisfied that both
Judges Sinclair and Cradlebaugh, will meet
it firmly, let the consequences be what they
may"
We place before our readers an editorial OF
the Valley Tan of the 18th Of January, ana
will also publish, next week, correspon-
dence between the Legislative Assembly OF
the Territory and Judge Sinclair, contained
in the same paper.
Judge Sinclair is a native of this county,
and has in it host of nrdently attached
friends, who appreciate him as .iurist, es-
teen him as a gentleman feel a deep interest
in his welfare, and anticipate for him bril-
liant future.-Eriarc 1'm. DCmocrW.
''DISrRrCr CouRT.-The United States Dis,
trict Court. which has been for some time
past in session in this city, was adjourned
sine die on Tuesday last-all the business
brought before it, concerning the United
States having been disposed Of Judge Sin
clair announced that he was ready to con
slider cases arising under the Territorial laws.
The Marshal for the Territory, being under
strict instructions to incur no expenses what
ever, attending the sitting of the Court, ex-
cept when engaged on business Of the Uni
ted States, the statutes Of the Territory were
looked to for adequate provisions for the
Court, in the exercise of its jurisdiction un
der them. istoniShing. as the fact is. NJ
lar could be found providing, in any man
gagged in Territorial businessmen had any
statute been enacted for the support and dis
position of criminals charged with offence:
against the Territory. Governor Cumming
had in his message. called the especial atten
ton of the Legislature to this anomalous
condition of affairs.
The Judge finding his authority utterly
paralyzed by this apparently studied omis
sion in the Territorial Legislation. and b!
other circumstances which may be more tul
" exposed hereafter, ordered an adjourn
ment IF his Court Sne die.
In this he will be sustained by the genera
Judgment Of the country.
The fact of this forced adjournment Of ;
United States Court, is Il matter OF serious
import to the people Of this Territory.
Nearly nine years have elapsed since the
passage Of their organic act. by which th'
United States retained its jurisdiction in th'
hands of Federal Judges, expecting that iu
risdiction to be respected i'll good faith. lla'
that reasonable expectation been realized
The truth is that Utah is under ecclesiasti
cal government, and despi>eS all attempts a
the exercise of civil authority outside vi thei
peculiar organization. The Church has /"
own lars, its own measure Of punishment
for crimes, and its own mode of sr'rHiinm.-
Obedience to counsel in all things is It's fun
damental requirement.
Our readers will remember in this connec
ton the views of Jedediah Grant upon thu
subject Of j,n'ies, which we published some
time since, from which we learned that II
Utah. ecclesiastical counsel not only made
its way into the jury box, and sought to cor
rupt the fountain of justice, but the act wa,
boosted of in public haranguc in the taber
naclc. Does this look like respect to civi
authority? Is this rendering unit" Caesar
the things that are Caesars, and unto God
the things that are God's?'
United States Courts have never been pop
ular in this Territory. Where Judges az
sumo that inHependeHcc which belongs Il
their position-defy threats, and resist the
seductions of studied fatteric,-they be
come distastcful to the leaders of Zion, whc
want to have every thing their own way.
Failing to win them over to their purpo
ses--the course of some has been to assal
the motives and impugn the character Of
Federal officers, ANNOYING them by concealed
insult. and endeavoring to fatigue them int
compliance with their measurcs-surround
ing them with an espionage of which Italy
never saw the parallel.
In the Court of Judge Sinclair lately held
the Chwch had its counscled StcnographlC
reporters, endeavoring to catch every word
that fell from any bodys lips in the Court
room.
What was the object Of this? To make
the meagre report which appeared i'll the
Church Organ? not at ALL but to report for
the Church Hstorian: to make up private
record of the doings of the Court to be
sworn to, and verified hereafter, if necessary
against its open records.
Is this friendly attitude towards the
Courts of the United States? Is there no
distrust and enmity displayed here? But
we opine Judge Sinclairs record will with
stand any misrepresentation. which have
been made. or will be made of it.
His well known character abroad is TAR
beyond the range of any battery that may
be brought to bear upon his official action.
Steam on Canals.
Tho Nay- Work Cnuripr and Enouirer saws