The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-02
Brigham's DespOtism, Immoral
Rule and Exclusive Policy.
IDAHO AND MONTANA DIsGUsTED.
A Congressional Committee Will Prob
ably Dive Into MOrmOndOm.
Passage of Bill Appropriating
$4,000 for Heroism.

WASHIN0rON, req l, 1873.
Utah To BE Taken In Hand Next-Our
Relic OF Barbarian To he No Longer
TOleratcd-A Delegation Comforting
With the Presidential Commission OF
Inquiry To BE Appointed.
Congress is beginning to think that it Is high
time to settle the troubles in Utah. and by some
sort OF legislation correct the abuses which have
been 80 elOquently depicted before the House BY
several Of the Territorial delegates, who declare
that In this free Republic there exists the most
shameless despotism, despotlsm more CALLING
than that exercised by Pasha in the remotest
parts OF the Sultan's d0mini0ns. General Negley
of Pennsylvania, in company with Delegates Clag
gett and Merritt, and q HERALD correspondent
called upon the President to-day to have an inter
view with him upon this subject. The President
received the party at once, and signifed his will
ungness to listen to what his visitors might have
to say. The conversation began as iollows:-
General NEGLEY-Mr. President, have called TO-
day with the delegates from Idaho and Montana
to draw your special attention to the terrible
dtion Of AFFAIRS in Utah, with the request that you
will give them your speedy attention.
President GRANT, am willing to listen to you,
gentlemen.
Mr.. CLAGGETT-It Is O shame, Mr.. President, that
our beautiful country should have such plague
Utah. Though you live at far distance from It's
lawessness Mr. President, you cannot but feel the
urgent necessity OF some steps being taken to
remedy 1t.
President GRANT-That Is very true, Mr.. Clag-
gett. The social, political and judicial condition
OF AFFAIRS In the Territory Of Utah Is rstten and
corrupt. Every principle OF the govern
ment Of Brigham Young is in direct opposi-
ton to the principles Of our government. II
Utah were not within our borders, II 1t were an
adjacent province; we might well excuse our
selves from interfering except by the moral erect
OF condemning Its principles; but. as it is the final
issue with Utah cannot be avoided.
General NEGLEY-As the country. becomes more
and more settled by immigration along the line Of
the Union Pacific Railroad the conflict between
the Mormons and the so-called Gentles will become
inevitable. 1t Is question, Mr.. President that is
not easy Of solution, but nevertheless 1t is that
cannot be evaded. We are well aware, Mr.. Presi-
dent, OF your desire to contribute to the welfare OF
the country, and that to you we can confidently
look for a solution Of this problem.
After this President Grant sat In silence for some
time, as II he were rejecting; although his face
wore no reasonable outward expression. Finally
he remarked, at Is a sad case"
Mr.. MERRTrr-For q long time we people of the
Territories adjacent have waited in patience for
the government to abolish the despotc and cor
rupt rule at our own doors; but there has been
delay after delay until we feel that the evils of
Brigham's management should be no longer borne.
The demoralizlng effect OF this rule, and its exclu-
sion OF all others except Mormons from q share in
the riches Of Utah. should be abolished.
President GRANT-ExclusionR
Mr. MERRTrr-Well, equivalent to that. The
laws discriminate with great severity against those
who do not belong to Brigham Young's Church, so
that 1t amounts to virtual exclusion.
General NEGLEY-One OF the worst features of
this government Is that 1t legalizes, in measure
slavery almost as degrading that OF the blacks
before the war.
President GRANr-Tnat is really bad state Of
AFFAIRS.
Mr.. MERRITT-That Is one reason why Brigham
Young can build railroads and all kinds of public
works SO cheaply as to drive away all competition.
President GRANT-Just so.
Mr.. CLAGGETT-The whole Mormon system is
legazing OF what In all other States is punished
with Imprisonment as felony It stamps the brow
OF every child born In the Mormon creed with the
name OF bastard.
Then followed very interesting statements from
the delegates, who furnished the President with
copious statistics regard to the affairs in Utah.
When the subject was fully stated the President
said, ''Well, gentlemen, what is your immediate
desire In this natter"
General NEGLEY-The appointment OF special
to look into the matter and prepare
basis OF facts for future Congressional legislation.
President GRANT-Gentlemen, assure You that
what you have said to-day has awakened my in
terest and agree with you that something should
be done to remedy the unhappy state OF affairs in
Utah. l am inclined to favor your proposition to
appoint special committee.
The delegation then withdrew.
General Negley when outside said to the HERALD
correspondent that resolution will probably be
in the House on Monday requesting the
President to appoint such q commission.
Passage OF the Bill ApprOpriating
$4,000 Of the Japanese Fund TO De.
serving Sailors.
In tae House to-day warm debate sprang up
on a bill reported from the Committee on Naval
Affairs. 1t was Short but while it lasted 1t was
pretty sharp. The bill appropriatcs $4,000 out
OF the Japanese Fund, now in the hands OF the
secretary OF state, as prize money for the officers
and men Of the two United States vessels who in
in conjunctionwlth several European vessels war
bombarded the japanese forts in 1853. Mr.. Archer
introduced the bill and explained Its nature. Mr..
Wood spoke against the bill, believing that the
money would not go to the sailors and that it should
be used for purposes OF educating. General Butler
showed the money would 20 to the sailors and
their heirs, and warmly advocated its passage.
General Hawley, OF Connecticut, who seems to
relish opposition to Butler, opposed the bill. He
declared that the sailors had no Just claim on the
fund, neither had the government any right to
keep it, and that 1t should be given for educating
Japanese scholars, as recommended in petit
ton presented by him a few days ago
to Congress from the leading scholas-
TIC institutions Of the country. william
r. Boberts favored the passage OF the bill He
said it was wrong for Congress to pay few days
ago out OF the Treasury nearly $3OOoo to nine
for the destruction OF the Albermarle, and now re-
fuse $4,000 to the ofcers and men who fought for
this fund.- He said .he sailors whs risksd their