The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1873-12-10
The Stumbling Block of Pot ygmamy.

The stumbling Block of Pol lyemamy.
At tho outstart of Congress the
question Of Utah affairs will arite, on
the admission Of CanuoD, the Mormon
Delegate, to scat in tho House cf
Representatives. Cannon is u rolyg.
amist. He has four wives, and, it IL
said, was selected by Brigham Young
to represent the territory in order at
once to bring Congressional actiun o.,
the subjcct Of pclyga,ny to test.
Cannon is shrewd, keen man, and
known to be one of Brigham's most
trusted advisers. General Maxwell,
who was the commander of brigade
of Michigan cavalry in the Army of
the Potomac, and who is at present
the United States Marshal for Utah
IS here to contest Cannon's seat.
Maxwell is the representative of tie
Gentle element, which is the term for
all tho people in Utah who DO not be
long to the Mormon faith. lie
claims that though he had but be-
tween 1900 and 5000 votes he rep
rcseuts the only loyal and qualified
voters of the Territory that Cam
mons vote of some $1,000 or more was
composed ofiliegal voters, Mormon3,,
who had disqualified themselves BY
trcaSAnabic sentiments and actions
against the general government, un-
naturaiiSed foreigners, Of which tho
larger humber Of the Moemon people
arc formed, women voting under com
pulslon, ani cvvn children. 1t will
also be alleged that Cannon is himsel If
an Englishuian, who hus never for
sworn his allegiance. 1t will be
urged that his admission would be vir.
tuaiiy an endorsement Of the crime of
poiygamy, and that it will be 30
viewed by Bri ,5ham and his followers.
1t will be further alleged that Cannon
Is not free mora! agent, that he has
taken an oath in the Endowment
House, in whloh he has declared that
his allegiance is due to tho Mormon
Church, and sworo to obey the coun-
sells OF is head IN preicrcbno to the
laws of the United S6ates, aud lie 10
therefore direct representative of
thoocfatlc rule now prevailing in
Utoh.
AS it is we'll knoRn among the
friends OF tho administration that the
f!ealdcnt IS very much in earnest
about the enforcement of the laws III
that Territory and to comp!cie the
liberation of its people from tho dcs-
po,ic power OF the Mormon Church,
it is generally believed that tho re
publican meubcrs will all vote
against the admission of The Mormon
Delegate. n memorial setting forth
the GcplurabIc state of affAirs iu that
Territory has been numerously signed
BY rcSid"nrs aud forwarded to Con-
gress, with a re1ies. tina. such laws
VIII be passed rs may be necessary
to corrcc: toe evils and abuses emu
meratod ami give the people the p:o.
lection Of free civil government,
and BRING the erriiory OF Utah into
harmony with the Federal govern
ment and republican institutions.
1t is very probable that the present
Congress will take some decided ac-
tion with regard 10 Utah. Foremost
among the acts proposed will he the
passage of law moro clearly defining
tho jurisdiction Of tho Territorial
courts, the power Of the federal and
territorial district courts TO be spe.
clhcally designated, and the Mormon
probate courts, which have arrogated
to themselves all the powers of civil
and criminal courts, and have claimed
and exercised common law and chan
Gerry Jurisdiction, to be restricted to
tho probate of wills, and the other
duties properly pertaining to such
courts.