Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-09-12
NOW OR NEVER.

Very soon the courts will open again.
and then will begin the prosecutions Tor
polygamy and unlawful cohabitatloh. 1t
is well to note the fact that during the
interim since the courts last adjourned
those who have been in hiding have not
reappeared at all, as at times heretofore
they have done, and this fact, too little
considered, goes long way to prove
that there is much fear and trembling
among those who are liable to
prosecution, and that they have
no assurances from any quarter
that the enforcement of the law will cease,
or at least become lax. If the coming
winter passes without any cessation OF
prosecutions for violation of the Edmunds
and kindred laws, the people of Utah will
loose hope as they never lost hope before,
and they will be greatly predisposed to
come within the law and ask for the in
diligence of Executive clemency. That
the Peoples party, or church, will make
every effort at Washington this winter to
get stay Of the enforcement of the laws
in Utah all may rest assured. The
Peoples party are also indulging
the hope that the Government will get
tired OF trying to enforce the laws against
polygamy and unlawful cohabitation, and
so will rest for long while and allow the
people here to continue to do as they
choose in the future as they have in the
past The people OF Utah have con-
cluded that the situation here has settled
down to pure contest OF endurance, and
they believe that the Government will
wear itself out and get tired OF prosecut-
ing before the people here are worn out
and are tired OF prosecution. They ar
rive at this conclusion thus: During the
past year there have only been some
fifteen or sixteen convictions throughout
the whole Territory for polygamy and un-
lawful cohabitation, and at this rate if the
courts were to be run exclusively for the
trial OF such cases, the total number of
such convictions for any year would not
exceed two hundred, and, as prominent
Mormon said to gentleman of the bar a
few days since, the polygamous marriages
for any year will exceed that number
considerably. On this theory, then, there
will be an overproduction of cases for
prosecution, and eventually the supply
will be so great that the demand will en-
tirelv cease. What, then, is to be done
to meet the case? Congress should pro-
vide the Territory with additional courts
and sufficient number of Assistant
Prose- '.- attorneys to attend to all
the - n>5s that may arise. At the
sam ime Congress ought 10 repeal the
statute Of limitations so that there should
never be time when men may boast
OF their violations of the law and DEFY
it with inlpunity. The repeal OF the
statute OF limit ons is justifiable on the
ground that in th $ Territory it is the COM
mon practiye for zen to live it down,
either by resi- H. on side the Territory
on missions or else bv never divulging
their plural marriaga until the statute has
run against the oifense. Polygamy in
Utah has assumed such magnitude and
has so long enjoyed immunity that now
while the Nation and every one else is ar
oused concerning it is the time to finally
settle the matter either by suppressing ii
or by allowing it TO continue unmolested.
The vindication Of the law has reached
that point at which success may be had
if success is sought for; it now only needs
determination and persistence to do away
with polygamy Win the Government
be determined and persistent? That is
the question. Ii the laws against
polygamy are ever to be enforced they
should be now, for to postpone the day o.
their enforcement is but to augment the
evil and increase the burden of the laws
vindication. If the Government is not il
earnest in its efforts to suppress polygamy
then it should order the cessation of the
prosecutions for polygamy and unlawful
cohabitation, for they are otherwise but
an annoyance and harassment. But i
it is in earnest, then it should provide
greater facilities for enforcing the law such
as above suggested, together with some
other measures. 1t should be remember
ed that success begins where most meI
fail, and to this point have the courts anC
their officers attained in the suppression
oi polygamy IN Utah. Now or never ii
the time to settle this question in Utah
and the Government should make it