Morning journal and courier., 1884-05-05
SournaI ana Genrisr.
SINGLE CoRIEs TWO CENTS.
Monday. May 3, 1884.

MEASURES AGAINST MORMONIs1I.
It was not expected that the Democrats
who control affairs in the House would show
any disposition to deal effectively, or even
vigorously, with the Mormon question, and
they have not. Early in the session Mr..
Cassidy Of Nevada, who Is Democrat, in
troduced bill placing the entire legislative
power of Utah in the hands of the governor
and a commission of fifteen men selected by
the President, and approved by the senate,
from among the actual inhabitants of that
Territory. The bill further provides that
this commission shall hold efics
thres years, meet every year 81 . legislature.
and pass laws under the same limitations as
now bind the assembly elected by the peo-
pie. This scheme proposes to strike at once
at Mormonism, and to make its influence of
no avail in the government of the Territory.
The Republican members of the committee
to which the bill was referred have reported
it favorably to the House, but the Democrat
ic members do not favor it. In its stead
they have reported very weak substitute.
Their bill provides that every marriage shall
be solemnized before q justice or
minister, who shall report the same to the
county court to go upon public record. Then,
if anyone shall perform a marriage ceremony
where one of the parties is already married,
he shall be imprisoned not more than twelve
nor less than six months.
This scheme is almost, if not quite, ridicu-
lous. As the minority report says: The bill.
reported by the majority would avail
nothing if passed. for the only marriages
recognized by ths Mormon Church are those
celebrated in the Endowment House, where
secresy is more sacred than oatha or obliga-
tions to Territory, State or nation. It would
avail nothing for another reason, and that is
because there are no officers designated to
execute it who give any allegiance to the gen.
eral government. 1t Ia not legislation that
is needed SO far as the government is con-
cerned, for we have had for more than twens
ty years laws of Congress against polyaamy,
etc., but they avail nothing. We want q
power that shall not only control the legisls-
tion of Utah, but shall provide officers who
will execute the laws when made. We want
legislation in the interest of good govern
ment, instead of legislation such as we now
have in Utah, in the interest of Mormonism.
The bill recommended by abe committee
could accomplish nothing. The only object
it can accomplish is to delay efficient leeisla-
tion and give Mormonism additional time to
import her hordes of immigrants and be-
come more strongly intrenched in her
stronghold which she is now actively
engaged in fortifying. It is time
that the nation should begin to realize the
rapid growth of this deluded people and the
great danger of longer delay. The govern
ment has been patient and forbsaring to an
extent unparalleled in national history, and the
time has now come when it is the imperative
duty of congress to take some decided steps
toward the removal of the difficulties that
have long existed in the Territory of Utah.
All the laws which have been directed |
against the growth Of Mormonisp ia |
Utah have not been elective, be-
cause the Territory has been governed by the |
Mormops, and they have been able to thwRrt |
the efforts of those whom they call their en-
smies. With commission such as Mr.. Cas- |
sidy's bill proposes the laws would have a |
fairer chance At least, the Mormons would |
not have the same power they have now. 1t |
is plain that if the bill reported by the DEM
ocrats of the committee becomes a law 1t |
will amount to nothing.