The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-06-09
Two Apostles Interviewed in New
York City.
Their Opinions Regarding the Presi-
dents Stand on Polygamy.
Advising the Young Men to Marry
off all the Women.
The Mormon Church Upholds Polye,
amy as Strongly as Ever,
But it is Not as Popular as it Was,
They Say.


New York, May 8.-From the atti-
tude which Garfield has assumed re-
garding the suppression of polygamous
practices in Utah, it has created wide
spread interest. as to the measures to
be adopted to that end, and how the
Mormon people will act if an aggressive
policy is determined upon. In view of
this fact a reporter had an interview
with Bishop Alexander A. Pyper and
Elder James H. Hart, of the Mormon
church, last evening. Hart is mem
Der Of the territorial legislature of Ida
ho. and Pyper is police magistrate in
Salt Lake City. Both gentlemen were
in exceedingly good spirits and talked
about polygamy enthusiastically. A
copy of the revised edition of the new
testament and an old bible were the
only books visible in the room.
Hart said: Our people have conf
dence that Garfield intends to confine
himself 70 the law in dealing with us,
and We are also satisfied that under the
law we can vindicate our cause. The
church upholds polygauy as strongly
as ever, and we preach and advocate it
everywhere. We hold to it as a relig-
ious principle, and whatever influence
the laws and circumstances may have
against its practical adoption, our be-
lief will remain unchanged. The law
prohibits murder, yet it can't prevent
it; 30 the law may prescribe polygamy,
and still be powerless to sweep it away.
In Utah the church will not come to
the front and acknowledge crime. Each
individual must be personally RESPONSE
BILE for his own acts in the future. The
supreme court Of the United States has
decided that tho law Of polygamy is
constituted. We accept the decision
as the law of the land. fil.1
Then why does your church advocate
the commission Of crime as religious
doctrine? l4
We don't think 1t is wrong, but have
to submit to superior force and num-
bers. Polygamy is not practiced to az
great an extent as most people suppose.
presume tnat not more than seven
Por cens' ol 'ne mormon males nave
lore 'nah one "iie each. IL Is an ad-
venturous undertaking 10 provide Tor
Norman families. and one which has
discouraged our young men considera-
bly,. You would be surprised to know
hat In, En- y hos A..
'nat IN o'an tnere are ten per cent. less
women tnan men. Among the young
people the practice OF polygamy is not
10 popular as II was, as the young men
nesitate some time before assuming the
responsibility OF marrying more than
one wife. .F i4si.1
Yes, interrupted Bishop Pyper, before
l came away l advised the young men
there to marry up all the young women
and thus settle the polygamy question,
Tor there would not be anybody left for
those already married. The fact is
that women are SO scarce that l often
quiz the young men in my district, by
saying that l must send them to New
YORK ior wives.
How Is the legislature and governor
on polygamyf NGs
In Utah the governor is appointed by
the president. He possesses the power
of final veto upon any acts Of the leg
islature, and there is no appeal frcm
his decision. Now the governor is
generally selected from some one of the
states, and having no land interests or
permanent residence in the territory.
he has nothing In common with the
people, who are compelled to submit to
his decision. The result Of the last
election shows how unjust this is, and
how Mormon representatives only can
do justice to the large masses. In the
contest over tie election Of territorial
delegate to congress in November, the
democrats and republicans united, as
they always do, against the Mormons.
The opposition polled 1900 votes for
their candidate, while our nominee was
elected on 18, 900 votes. This will serve
to illustrate the preponderance Of our
interests, and is the strongest possible
argument in favor Of letting us have