The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-02-06
GRANT AND TIE SAINTS.

Utah to be Taken In Hand Next-Our
Relic OF Barbarian TO be no Longer
Tolerated-A Commission of Inquiry
to be Appointed.
Washington dispatch of Saturday, to the
Congress is beginning 10 think that 1t Is
high time TO settle the troubles In Utah. and
by some sort of legislation correct the abuses
which have been 30 eloquenlly depicted before
the House by several oil the territorial dele
gates, who declare that In this eeaRepubllc
there exists the most shameless despotism, q
despotiem more CALLING than that exercised by
a. Pasha In the remotest parts of the Sultan's
domlnlons. General Negley, OF Pennsylva-
MIA, 10 company with Delegates Claggett and
Merritt, called upon tia President to-day to
have an Interview with him upon this subject.
The President received the party at once, and
slynifed his willingness to listen 10 what his
visitors might have 10 say. The conversation
began as tollows:
General Negley. Mr.. President, l nave
called today with the delegates from Idaho
and Montana to draw your special attention
to the terrible condition of affairs In Utah,
with the request that you will give them your
speedy attention.
President Grant. I am willing TO listen 10
'ySi Mr sc scIaggetl. 1t is shame, Mr.. President,
that our beautiful country should have such o
plague spot upon its Wide domain as This gov.
ernment of Otah. Though you live at a lar
distance from It's lawleSsness, Mr.. President,
Won cannot but feel the urgent necessity OF
some Steps being taken to remedy lC.
President Grant. That is very true, Mr..
Claggett. The social, political and judicial
condition of affairs In the Territory OF Utah Ia
rotten and corrupt. Every principle Oh the
government of Brigham Young is In direct
Opposition 10 the principles OF our govern
ment. II Utah we're not within our borders,
Ii 1t were an adjacent province, we might
we'll excuse ourselves from interfering except
by the moral effect of condemllng its prlncl-
pies; but, as 1t 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 con.
fllct between the Mormons and the so-called
tien,iles will become inevitable. 1t Is ques-
lion. Mr.. President, that is not easy of solu.
ton, but nevertheless 1t is one that cannot be
evaded. We are we'll aware, Mr.. President,
of your desire to contribute to the welfare OF
the country, and that 10 you we can conhdent-
ly look for solution of this problem.
After this President Grant sat In silence for
some time, as If he were rejecting; althougn
his face wore no reasonable outward e1-
precision. Finally he remarked, 1T Is SAD
case"
Mr. Merritt. For long time we people OF
the Territories adjacent have waited 10 pa
tiepce for the government to abolish the
despotic and corrupt rule at our own doors,
but there has been delay alter delay until we
feel that the evils of Brlgham's management
should be no longer borne. The demorai,
Izuq effect of this rule, and lts exclusion OF all
others except Mormons from snare III Inc
riches OF Utah, should be abolished.
D.,,idont Grant EYnlu6iOn
Mr.. Merritt. Well, equivalent to that. The
laws discriminate with great severity against
those who do not belong to Brigham Young's
Church, 80 that 1t amounts to virtual exelu-
sion. 60
General Negley. One of the worst features
OF this government is that 1t legallzes, 10
measure, slavery, almost as degrading as that
of the blacks before the war.
President Grant. That Is really bad state
of affairs.
MIR. Merritt. That Is one reason why Brig
ham Young can build railroads and all kinds
of public works 80 cheaply as 10 drive away
all competition.
President Grant. Just 80.
Mr.. Claggett. The whole Mormon system 10
o legalIzlng of what In all other States is pun
ished 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, Presl.
dent with copious statistics In regard 10 tne
afTIirs of Utah.
When the subject was fully stated tne Fles-
ident sa,d. MWeIJ. gentlemen, what ls your
immediate desire In this matter |"
General Negey. The appointments OF
sneciai committee to look into the matter and
prepare basis for future Congressional legis.
lation.
President Grant. Gentlemen, I assure you
that what you have said to-day has awakened
my interest, and l agree with you that some.
thing should be dove to remedy the unhappy
state of affAirs in Utah. ] am inclined to ia
vor your proposition to appoint special COM
mittee.
The delegation than withdrew. General
Negley when outside said that resolution
will probably be introduced In the House on
Monday re questiDg the President to appoint
such q commission.