Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-01-17
MANY WINS.
WHAT A FEMININE LooKsR-oN IN NOR
MoRDoM SEES.
The Disgusting Pr ctices of Eormons-
The Debasing Infiusnce Of
Polygamy in Utah.
SALT LAKE. Dsoember.so, 1881.

l
Polygamy in Utah.
SALT LAKE, December;30, 1881.
Although so much has been said and
written of Mormondom, and the religion
which proclaims polygamy as one of its
principal tenets, the pilgrim in Zion, actu-
ated by the usual curiosity to learn of
mems depravity, can find much that is
curious and interesting yet untold in the
study of its practical everyday life as wit
messed in the family circle. One must dwell
in its midst to understand the thoroughness
of its church organization, the careful sur
veillance exercised over both Mormon and
Gentle, and the strict obedience required
| from its disciples John Taylor, the Presi-
dent is the acknowledged head, and claims
to receive direct instruction from the Deity,
which he communicates to his twelve
Apostles. These Apostles are Immediately
obeyed by their Bishops, and the Bishops
in turn by their Councillors, or the priest
hood, the members OF which are
LITTLE BETTER THAN SPIES.
They employ any and every means to OBJ
tain knowledge of the affairs of each house,
hold. Their vigilance is not exceeded by
that of the well-trained Jesuit. Great care
is exercised to withdraw the rising genera.
tion of Mormon descent from the influence
of the Gentle youth, lest their morals be
corrupted. But with all their careful
training, they have failed to Undue them
with admiration of the tithing system or a
desire to marry according to the Endow.
ment- House rite The Mormon servant.
girl has learned from her Gentle mistress
| that marriage must be performed lawfully
a couple emerge from the Endowment
House, after having been duly annointed,
robed and mumbled over by the priests,
they are given no certificate of marriage,
and have no proof to show to the world
that marriage ceremony has taken place.
Consequently the larger part of the Endow-
ment-House marriages are of parties from
distant settlements or of
THE PLURALITY SORT,
Which are now kept very quiet because of
the strong sentiment against polygamy.
Yet plurality of wives is so universal that
even the houses have double appearance.
They seem to have been started, in their
earlier and purer days, with about four
rooms, built of adobe. Then, as the desire
for concubines took possession of the old
man, he would build on one or two more
rooms, according to his means or liberality.
The idea that man must be possessed of
| worldly goods wherewith to endow each
new woman" he takes" is entirely erro-
neous. The only possessions he needs are
| courage, brutality and lust. One authenti-
Gated case has been observed where man
brought to his one room, already occupied
by wife and four children, second WIFE
The women counted the boards of the
rough, unpainted floor, and divided the
house and its contents, barring the off.
spring, equally, each owning half of the
cooking stove, etc. In that almost incom.
prehensible manner lived that barbarian
until the two women had borne him six
teen children, and still continues thus to
live with those that death and time have
spared. 1t is not unusual for man to live
with two wives in three rooms, with fam.
| lily of fifteen or twenty children. Under
these circumstances it is not strange that
! VIZ oDoSh A1SC 6tiiObS NLlllbICA IL! bDiS Clt1
is something startling. When a Mormon
on short margin he looks about for some
woman who is willing to
HELP HIM UP
A little by becoming his mistress, Or
"going in second wife. If the first wife
consents to indorse his celestial ambi-
tion, it will be all the better for her
soul, and perhaps he can drag her up
little nearer his own pure spirit; if che
objects it don't matter the soothing infu-
ence of the holy oiling will relieve his con.
science, and he has right to exact obedi-
ence from her, even if it takes violence to
do it. Occasionally there is woman who
don't care If the old man does not get any
higher than she expects to go, and makes
her refusal uupleEssntly emphatic. In one
| case of the latter sort the aspirant for celes-
tial honors found such hornets nest
about his ears at the mention of a second
woman, that he concluded strategy would
be the wiser course go he walked through
the Endowment House one day with bis
inamorita, and did not mention the fact at
home. As often as possible he was COM
PEELED to visit the "lodge" or was de-
tanned "on business" That state of af-
fairs continued several months, until finally
THE sHARP-wITTED WIFE
Was convinced that her husband was play.
ing false, and followed him one night.
Finding him in the arms of the "second, :"
she inspired the movable furniture of tie
| room with such reckless and dashing
spirit that the occupants didn't take much
time to consider the order Of their leaving.
Marching the somewhat bewildered spouse
to his home, she found well. sharpened
kitchen-knife, and holding it above his
cowardly heart made him take such oaths
of faithfulness that he never more dared
seek higher seat in paradise. Perhaps the
most revolving form this disgusting religion
exhibits is that which teaches women that
adultery is holy and secures reward from God.
| II lecherous old Bishop covets the wife
of his neighbor, he directly begins to work
upon her religious sensibilities, and infuses
| her mind with the desire to secure for her
self greater favor in Gods sight and
higher position near the great white throne.
This can be accomplished by marrying, or
being "sealed," to him in the secrecy of
the Endowment House. She consents at
last, believing him to be one of Gods
chosen, to sit upon His right hand through
eternity The lustful old wretch knows
his arguments would not avail with the
wronged husband. and binds her to perfect
secrecy. The poor woman must live life
of infamy and deceit from that day forth,
and bitter must be the price she pays for
her belief. The most devoted Mormons
of this city are loath to admit that pclyg-
amous marriages are performed, or that
I" SEALING"
Is permitted, the Gentle element having
made their disgust so pronounced but
there are many outlying settlements in the