National Republican., 1874-06-08
APOSTLE CANNON,

There Is q strong probability that the
Republican members Of the House will still
have the opportunity Of placing themselves
upon the record on the question Of the ex.
pulsion Of the Mormon Apostle Cannon
from his seat in the House as the Delegate
from Utah. II is in evidence before the
committee that Cannon has married his
fourth wife since the passage Of the law
making poiygamy felony in 1892. The
testimony was given by an eye witness to
the ceremony. who was also cognizant OF
his acknowledgment Of this lady as his
vile upon several occasions subsequent to
that date.
1t Is also in evidence that Cannon was
selected by the prophet Brigham Young
as the Mormon Delegate for the ayowed
purpose of testing the backbone Of the Re-
publican members upon the 'fwIn relic"
plank Of their platform. Mr.. Hooper, the
former Delegate, was not a practical polyga-
mist and therefore in his case the question
could not be brought before the House
Mr.. Cannon was selected as the mos, tai
ented. willy and unscrupulous of the leaders
of the Church. and the one Of all others
who is looked upon as the probable success
sor Of Brigham Young.
The dodging Of the question under these
circumstances Is nothing short of extreme
cowardice. The Republican members of
the House cannot afford to follow the ex.
ample Of their committee and do it. The
vote few days since upon Judge Poland's
bill shows the strength Of the House upon
one phase Of this question. But this mat
ter of sitting with man and acknowledg-
ing him as their peer who is q confessed
felon, and boasts loudly In Utah that he
will retain his seat in spite of them, that
the gold of the Saints" is too potent to be
withstood by the members of the Forty
third Congress, Is Of graver moment than
the other The dignity and morality of the
House in Its collective character is at stake.
Is there enough Of moral strength. of vir,
tuous pride, Of jealousy Of the honor Of
American representatives inherent In that
body TO stimulate it to the act necessary TO
the Vindicstion Of its good manner If SO, it
will not hesitate to spurn him from its pres
ence with scorn and coDtumely as moral
leper whose very contact is pollution.
Political consistency alone demands this
course of Republicans. Those who decline
TO act in the mstter should not demand or
expect reelection at the hands of their
present constituents. A refined moral sense
Of the Fitness of things" demands it of
members Of all parties.
o. Sound reasons for declining to act upon
this question do not seem to US possible
How can any Representative excuse him.
self to q moral and religious constituency
for consenting to belittle his Office by
consorting upon equal terms with bign-
mist an unblushing and avowed felon 7
What can any member of Congress expect
TO gain In any community outside of Utah
by screening the culprit or by shirking the
question till after the next electionf Il
may be all easy enough for those who do
not expect TO be candidates for reelection
either to their present or any other posi-
tons. or for those who have ceased 10 care
for the good opinions Of others But such
persons are already degraded to leyelwith
the polygamist Apostle of Latter-day
Saints There is no need for lower depth
and less hope for resurrection.