National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-01-12
THE MORMON QUESTION.
Cannon 10 Bc Probably seated sentinhei
Of Members on the subject.

Of Members on the subject.
Notwithstanding there Is Nh evident disposition
among members Of the House TO take some action
in reference 10 the Mormon question, IL Is almost
settled fact that nothing will bc done at this Sos
sion of Congress That there is great need OF legs-
latOn IN this matler all admit but there is not
member IN the House willing to take the lead
where such an imGorlant question Is concerned
luton TO refer the Cannon Campbell case To
n select committee caused considerable dis
cussion on Tuesday The defeat of his rcsoli-
ton and the reference of the contested case TO the
regular Committee on Elections show the exnct
attitude Of Congress In this matter There VIII be
no hasty action, aud the plan finally adopted must
be ono thatmocts the approval ofthc whole House
Tho proposition 10 make the government OF Utah
similar TO that Of the District of Columbia, only on
a larger scNlc-to give the President the power TO
appoint president and commission TO govern the
Territory--is ftvorably considered BY many NON.
bers but II has not been generally discussed said
above proposition: "This ulan is the best
have heard suggested thus far but Il is quesiiona
bic whether IL would he the best. There are future
events to be considered In this matter. If we at
tempt TO suppress poygamy In Utah by this means,
then the same government must Of necessity be
adopted for Idaho, Arizona, and New Mexico,
numbers, and TO which Territories they will eini-
crate rs soon as they find II becoming unplcas-
antly warm for them In Utah. II Is, therefore, n
matter in which we lsust proceed cautiously, for
too hasty conclusions may bring about disagrcca-
bic results" This was from Republican mem.
Der, but Democratic sentiment on the subject Is
" / believe said General J. W. Singleton, mem:
Der from Illinois, that polygamy is practlsed
nearly as much IN New York city as It is In salt
Lake City, but that Is not saying that II is not u
curse, ON the contrary, am In 1nvor OF any good
plan for supprcssingpOlygamy. viii tell you my
plan, and you may laugh at II Ii you will, but I
know It would work-lust make every Mormon
live with his wives, all in one house. None of
them would look so fat and good. .naturcd as my
friend Cannon after six months of such a
life.' General Singleton defended Smith,
the Mormon leader, when he was on
trial at Carthage Ill, for treason, in
1916, and afterward, In obedience TO instructions
from Governor Ford, took command Of the troops
that drove the MOrmons out Of Nauvoo. lie at
tributes the antpathy to the MOrmons at that time
in great measure to spirit of rivalry between
Carthage and Warsaw, both inland towns, and
Nauyoo, which was located near the banks OF the
Mississippi and was thriving, prosperous little
city all built up by the MormOns.
The sentiment OF the Senate in regard to the
question of polygnmy may be expressed in the
words of Senator Logan, who said recently: ut Is
Il matter demanding the attention of Congress
and the sooner there Is some special legislation oil
this question the better. The curse should be
blottcd out as soon ~ possible"
AS to the result of the CHnnOn-Campbcll contest
there Is not much doubt but that the former Will
be seated, Despite the tnct that he is Il Mormon
he has many warm personal friends in the House
A Republican member of the House Committee
on Elections who had been investigating the mat
ter said before the referred 10 that com
mittee: "The only charge against Cannon !;
that he Is not naturaiZed citizen of the United
States and that cannot be sustained. II Murray
had omitted one little thing III his certificate u
Campbell the result might have been different. bu
as it is no other way of settling the case thar
to seat Cannon"