The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-26
Statement Of United States Dis
trict Attorney Bates.
THE GOVERNMENT PROBLEM SOLVED.
Result Of an Interview with
President Grant.
MODERATION TO BE THE RULE.
Punishment for "Lewd and LasciviOus Con-
duet" with Zone Of Ones Wives" De-
clared a "PerversiOn Of Justice
MODERATION TO BE THE RULE.
No Danger Of Outbreak by
Either Side.

There was in the city yesterday Colonel George @.
Bates United States District Attorney for Utah,
recently from that Territory and still recently
from washington. And now that he ls returning to
the field OF his ociai duties he made the following
declarations touching the existing conditions in
Utah and as to the governments programme OF
action by which polygamy is to be destroyed peace
maintained and lasting harmony and prosperity
ensured to both Mormon and Gentle throughout
the realm OF Brigham Young.
The United States District Attorney declares as
follows THAT
BOTH GENrILEs AND MORMONs
there are perfectly willing, ana frankly declare
to submit absolutely to the decision OF the Supreme
Court as made In the of Peter Clinton W.. En-
glebrecht, which does but reiterate the law regu-
lating the judiciary of the Territories for more than
fifty years, and which was anticipated by every well
read lawyer In the country, and especially by the At
torney Generals OF the United States, whose views
on the course Of the in Utah have been freely
and frankly expressed ever since the decision of
the 10th Of January last. Indeed this late decision
but reiterates the
LAW UPON THE sUBJECr
OF Territorial courts their powers and uries, as
peatedly announced by the Supreme Court Of the
United States, and also by those of Iowa and Min
nesota. 1t Is also in full accord with the published
opinions of the Attorney Generals Of the United
States, from
FELIX GRUMPY TO CALEB CUSHING.
But this most important decision goes even fur
ther than this and lays down the doctrine founded
upon the constitution that while the United States
may acquire Territories and hold them for settle
ment they do not as under other forms OF govern
ment, hold them as
MERE COLONIES
but that whenever there are q sufficient number OF
people In the Territories to organize local govern
ment the people thereof are entitled to such local
government and when organized by Congress
rial rights or laws, they are as
INDEPENDENT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT :
rs are the people OF the several States; and that
the right OF trial by ures, selected In accordance
with local statutes, is an inalienable right.
one ever rendered by the United States Court upon
the rights privileges and powers Of the Territories
All that Is now necessary to give
PERFECT PEACE TO UTAH
and to bring to punishment all who have been
guilty OF violations of laws is to provide SIM
pie legislation for the enforcement OF the act OF Con-
gress against p0lygamy, passed In 1862 and which,
up to the present time, has been dead letter, no
attempt whatever having been made to enforce It's
provisions by the courts In Utah or by the officers
OF the government there.
With such legislation polygamy win soon end In
Utah, and this done nothing Is required to main
tain and enforce the laws and powers OF the federal
government.
But4n addition to this the vast influx of Gentle
bankers, lawyers, miners and business men, with
their famlnes, and their Importation OF the ex-
travagance In dress and ornaments, and the other
expenses OF Gentle ladies, Is fast
WEAKENING THE CHAINS
which Brigham Young bound around them. Then,
railroads. teegraphs and commerce have al
ready entered the doors Of the sacred Mormon
temple, and Fashion, with her mighty power, will
soon render 1t impossible for any man In Utah to
maintain more than one wife,
WITH THESE TROUBLES ENDED,
Utah Will soon prove to be the richest mining State
in the Union, and cheap labor, cheap transportation
and all the comforts OF home and civilization for
those who dig In the mines will render peace and
prosperity the rule. Perfect security to life and
property will hereafter exist there, whatever may
have been the crimes and violence in the past, and
when these people were shut out from all the world,
like those in Japan, and had no one but themselves
to care for.
Under the statute OF 1852 polygamy could have
been arrested and broken up within two months by
simply empanellinga
GRAND JURY THE UNITED STATES
and arresting and trying few OF the more pr0mi-
nent cases. Then after conviction as test cases,
the President might have pardoned them and issued
proclamation declaring that thereafter the law
would be rgdly enforced.
II Is no fault OF President Grant that this was not
DONE FOR his orders were to enforce the laws but 1t
was the fault Of the Territorial officers, who either
did not know the law, or else
SOUGHT TO PERvERT 1T.
There being no law regulating marriage In the
Territory OF Utah, but only the religious law OF the
M0rmOns, In which they claim that they are pro-
tected by the constitution all attempts to punish
them for lewdNnd lasciyious cohabitation with any
one OF their wivee Is mere perverson OF justice.
Brigham Young has always avowed himself per-
fectly willing to subnAt to the laws OF the United
States when administered according to law. But
ne Is very old man now very much weakened by
these troubles, and must soon appear before a
higher tribunal
All statements OF danger OF an outbreak or vo-
are absolutely absurd. They will say with the
President, "Let us have peace.o