Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-06-25
THE MoRMoNs TOUCHED ON THE
QUICK.

The Mormon Polygamists do not like the
new Utah bill, and for obvious reasons; it
promises 70 be an effective measure The
dispatches inform us that Brigham Young
Jr., and George Q. Cannon assaulted it III the
Tabernacle, and of course held it to be UNI
constitutional. 1t is always the flyoritc
CITY of the criminal when law pinches.
But the most significant news is that Prcsi-
dent John TAYLOR has had from near the
Great " hitc Throne direct revelation that
no man can hereafter be waited to Heaven
except he is a pOlygamiSt not only in be
lief but in practice. This may be taken As
a direct menace Ia the public sentiment
that fortilies Mr.. Hoar's bill 1t is intended
As a Scourse 10 whip the homogeneous Nor
mons into the polygamic traceS-to Solidify
the Saints into one mass of uniform crimi-
nails. Not all Mormons now are polyga-
msts As the law is aimed not at the re
ligion. hut a, the intamy Of the plural wife
system, Taylor realizes the necessity of
uuiyine the membership Of the Church in
the practice Of rolygamy, in order that the
Church may put on more defiant Fl, n
1t is a shrcwd dodge, and Is not the first Of
which religion haS ayailed 10 drive doubt
ing lloCkS into common fold.
in this connection it may be well 90 re-
call and briefly outline the new measure
that has 50 stirred up the bile of the Church
of Jesus Christ If latter Day Saints Il
provides that either husband or wife may
be compelled 10 testify in prosecutions for
bigamy, poiygamy or unlawful cohahita-
ton. If it Is believed such witnesses will
avoid service of subpenaS, attachments may
first issue, and the witnesses be held to bail.
The bill extends the limitation for prose
cutionS to five years. 1t requires full Ger
ti6cation and record in Court Of ali mar
riagcS, with details as to name of officiat-
ing minister or officer. ages. residence. etc.
Ii provides that women in Utah shall not
vote. and sets the seal of condemnation
upon the infamous poll registry system Of
the MormonS, and the ballot-numbering
induiSitjOn The jurisdiction of the Pro
bate Court, heretofore the chief stronghold
on the law side of the Mormon priest
hood, and through which it managed to
- legalizc IS crime. is narrowed to embrace
only the charge OF estates of deceased per
sons, and the guardianship of minors and
lunatics The laws of Utah comforting
rights of inheritance on llcgitimatc chill
dren are annullcd. as also the law provid-
Ing that prosecutions for adultery can only
be based on the complaint of husband OF
wife. The law is declared of no more
effect that provides for the incorporation
of the Mormon Church. 50 far rs it pre-
cludcs the appointment of Trustees by the
United States The significance of this
provision is made more Strikingly apparent
by recalling the fact that the Church holds
vast properties. and that great numbers Of
the people of Utah have been tenants at will
only Of the Church. which. through them,
acquired title IL public lands. and then held
them rs a landlord. and determined when
ever the stewardship of one of the
faithful should cease over given tract. Thus
the Church could GUST when and whom
/ pleaseS The hill gives the President of