Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-30
miscellaneous.
Mormon immigrants.
THE METHODS OF THE MISSIONARIES
THE AGENCY IN New YORK.

The Mormons maintain an Office and
agent of immigration at Battery place
and in the emigrating months a good deal
of business is done. Just now the agent
is at the west, probably preparing for
spring colonies. the first of which sails
from Liverpool about the 10th OF April
They have contract with one of the great
ocean steamship companies for ocean
transit, and with leading trunk line for
railway transportation to the west. Last
year the number of Mormons landing in
New York is said to have been about
25O0. This year it is thought that the
emigrants from Switzerland may number
less than usual. as it is rumored that the
vigorous action of some of the Swiss can
tons against their missionaries has had
considerable effect; but it is possible that
the immigration from Sweden and other
parts of Scandinavia may compensate the
falling off in the south
These parties are always accompanied
by travelling elders who are careful to see
that the peculiar spiritual views of their
charges are not corrupted by contact with
the Gentiles. At Castle Garden they are
isolated as much as possible, and as
soon as circumstances admit they are put
on a special train and started for the de-
lectable valleys OF Utah. Now, all this
shows the excellent business sense of the
Mormon church. Does it not also show a
curious Indifference of others who indulge
in sentimental walls about the Mormon
evil Right here in New York the stream
flows on to swell the flood in Utah, but
nothing is done to check or divert it.
What can be donep This is a free
country. and the Mormons have the rights
of other immigrants. Exactly, and if
they have rights, the public has duties,
and one of those duties is to give these
poor immigrants who especially need in
struction, little education in our laws.
Why not have tract in the various Euro
pean languages. enbodying our laws on
polygamy and the recent convictions UNI
der them, circulated at Castle Gardenp A
little tact could get these into the hands of
the Mormons in New York. by prearrange-
ment have the wholesome dose repeated
at Chicago, and then again at Kansas
City or Omaha. BY the time that car load
of saints rolled into Salt Lake thew would
have one or two notions in their minds
not included in the programme of their
travelling elders. At any rate, the elders
would be kept in pretty lively state of
mind oy such tacticts. and if they were
Systematically repeated with each succeed,
ing colony. they would have wearing eff
feet not to be laughed at. The recent
efforts of the marshals and courts in Utah
give value to this suggestion, never felt
before. 1t is a happy time to try the ex-
pertinent. Persecution only increases
| fanatcism. Prosecution and agitation
and obstruction have healthier results.
Why was not this done before? Because.
what is everybody's business is nobody's
business. We all talked. but no practical
worker put his hand to the task. Perhaps
it was just as well. for before the recent
convictions in Utah. precious little good
would copy of our laws have done a
Mormon immigrant except to show him
how successfully he could fly in their
face. The recent action of the courts put
| a new look on all this. and the cheerful
Mormon grin" is fading into ''sad and
sickly smile" Some Boston citizens are
forming company to colonze in Utah.
Whether their plan be feasible or not. it
is possible that they may hoist flag that
will serve to rally many other agencies.
| What is wsrted on this Mormon matter is
organization, and action in harmony with
our modern commercial methods Dos
ton AdrertiSer.