The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-09-06
THE MORMON QUESTIONS

Mr.. PlerreponJ, OF New York has
just spend sometime in Utah, and on
leaving he went at once to consult
with the president, while on his west
ern travels, as to what he had learned
while there. 1t is known that the
Edmund's law was adopted by the
Republicans, with a great flourish Of
trumpets as to how it would solve the
Mormon question, and commission
was organized and sent to Utah to
enforce its provisions, and to demon
strate to the world what wonderful
wisdom and corrective power there
was in the measure. Mr.. Pierrepont
is Republican, and after close obser-
walton comes to the candid conclusion
that the commission has thrust a
scandal on the Republican party.
When its members made their ap-
pearance in Utah they were captured
by the Mormons, and were treated so
generougly and Hospitality, that they
enfranchised about $4,000 of them and
disfranchised only about $500. Enough
were enfranchised to give them entire
control of this legislature, and every
state and local office. This proceed
ing so Disguised the Gentiles that they
made no effort to elect their candi-
| dates, because an effort was useless.
The Mormons are now in just as good
position for controlling the affairs of
the territory as they were before the
commissioners were appointed. They
have not only got a firm hold on
Utah, but they are reaching out after
the control of the state of Nevada, and
Idaho and other territories. They
are increasing through immigration
at the rate of 5000 year, and they
have any amount of money to further
their plans. They have 1000 votes in
Idaho, and have good share of the
offices there. They have only to i'm
port 5000 voters into Nevada to take
all the offices and the entire legisla-
ture. Even in Wyoming they are re-
ported to be strong. Mr.. Pierrepont
is of the opinion that congress must
deal with the Mormons with
la strong hand, and that
the commission, being a disgraeeful
failure, must be abolished that there
must be no Mormon legislature, and
that the territory must be governed
| by a senatorial commission, strong
enough to resist ali blandish OF
the Mormon leaders. Such is the sub
stance of what the New York con
gresham said to the president, and il
is said the latter promised to give the
matter consideration and report tc
congress. The Mormon question
when finally taken hold of will bt
found to be one of huge proportions
The Latter Day Saints are working
with will to spread their influences
and to strengthen their cause, while
poligamy is a blot upon our country
which is not going to be gotten rid o.
| without a very great deal of trouble
The Mormon leaders grow continual
ly more defiant, and they are nov
sending their agents all over thi
country and Europe, winning con
yerts. The Mormops are a hardy ant
p daring people, and, fearing nobody
are ready to adopt any measures, tn,
most violent and bloody even, to eff
feet their desired ends. They shoy
no sign of giving up their institu
tions, and they fall back upon the de
defense that their religious institu
! tions are being attacked. What tn
method shall be to root out poligam,
is not known. 1t is a vexing ques
tion, and it is one that viii in the emf
t cause war; and religious war-th
: phaze that will be put on it by the Nor
. mons-is a strife that is not governe'
5 by the qsages Of civilized struggles.