National Republican., 1883-04-24
IMPORTED MORMONS.
Three Hundred and Fifty Recruits Landed in
New York by Steamer Nevada,
Talk with One OF the Numerous Mis-
sionaries-whero They Como From.

NEW York, April 23.-Three hundred and
fifty Mormon emigrants landed at the pier of
the Guion line this morning from the steam
ship Nevada. They were we'll dressed, most
of them, and their baggage indicated the pos
session of moro extensive goods and chattels
than the emigrant usually brings. They were
met by Mr.. ]. II. Hart the Utah emigration
agent in this city, in Battery place. Mr..
King secretary to this company of Latter
Day Saints, told reporter that he "had been
missionary to Great Britain" he said "for
two-and-a-half years. spent sixteen months
laboring In Nottingham, and was rewarded by
1875 converts During the thirteen months
was in London l made only sixty converts,
but then there are many others working in
that city, while l had Nottingham all to my
self. Of the $50 people we have now brought
over, 103 are from Denmark, Sweden, and
Norway, and tho remainder are English,
Scotch, and Welsh. We have not single
Irish man or woman among them.
In September last | was sent to Ireland and
in the north, which is Protestant and Pres
byterian, found a liberal spirit toward Nor
monism; but In tho south and west found
IL unsafe to preach, so great is the devotion
Of the people to the Roman Catholic faith. L
was again called to Ireland in January, but
the political troubles made 1t unadvisablo to
go, as Americans were then liable to arrest as
suspicious persons on account of their nation
ality. We have no mission in lreland--they
would be useless. We have now about a
hundred elders in England and 250 in Europe
altogether. In England there are at present
about 5000 Mormons who have not got tho
means to emigrate Four more companies
are expected to arrive here during tho sum-
mer--by the Nevada, IL possible"
How did you organize this large body on
board ?"
"On leaving port we held meeting and
appointed y captain. Then we divided the
people into three wards, with n captain 10
each ward. Every night and morning we as
sembled for devotions singing hymns from
the Mormon hymn book and having extern
pore prayers and preaching. Tho captain of
the Nevada says that the Mormons are among
the best and most orderly passengers he has.
We had no trouble or disagreement whatever
with the other passengers, many of whom at
tended our meetings and expressed themselves
as disabused Of many erroneous prejudices
and impressions"
"What is the position of people already
married on arriving in Utah"
"a man already married has 10 undergo a
probation before he is allowed to enter into
polygamous relations. He must obtain q GER
tiicate, signed by the bishop and by the presi-
dent of the church, of his good conduct and
honorable character, and of his ability to sup
port plurality of wives and the children
that may be born. There are two parties
among the Mormons. The Josephites or fol-
lowers of young Joseph Smith, reject polyg-
amy, and term the polygamous Mormons
Brighamites.' In England we neither preach
nor practice polygamy. and the authorities
do not interfere with us. 1t has been re-
peatedly urged on Mr.. Gladstone that he ought
TO take measures for our suppression, but he
always gives the answer of true statesman,
that so long as we respect the law no has no
right to interfere. AS to Utah, hardly
know how the Edmunds bill has worked,
Mr.. w. M. Evarts's circular was received with
great contempt both in England and France,
but in Germany we had to disband, although
we were making great headway there. We
were also obliged to desist for a time in Swe-
den, but now that country is our best field.
In Turkey we have had small success, and
but little in France and Italy. Spain we
have not attempted. In America the pulpit
is our worst enemy"
"What are the prospects Of these people in
Utah?"
"Well, they arc mostly mechanics and farm
ers. Very many of them have relatives al
ready in Utah, who will give them or get
them employment. We have had no arrivals
who have failed to get something to do. There
are now about 100000 Mormons in Utah
These emigrants have all paid their expenses
of coming here, and most of them have some
pecuniary resources. The mines and the va.
rious industries of the country are developing
in proportion to the number of newcomers
and there is no fear but there will be enough
and to spare for all who may join us. We
start, l think, for Utah this evening
Good by"
Among the elders who arrived by the Ne.
vada are Messrs David Mckay, David Davies
Alfred DAILY, Charles Lambert, Joseph Sharp,
and N. r. Lindahl. The only Irishman Il
Mr.. Thomas Emmett one of the family OF
Robert Emmett, the Irish patriot. Mr.. Emmett
has been Norman for upward of twenty
years.