Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-12
THE SITUATION IN UTAH.
Delegate Gaines Views.


COMPLAINTS OF UNFAIRNESS IN ENFORCING
THE LAws-THE MoRMoNs PROSECUTED FOR
PoLYGAMY, BUT THE GENrfLEs ALLOWED no
PRACTICE THE GROSsESr IMMORTALITY UN.
ToucHED-rnE ''THREATENED OUTBREAK IN
urAH"-A STORY coNcocrEp TO KEEP REPUB-
LICAN OFFICIALS IN PLACE.
representative of THE STAR called upon
Delegate Caine this morning to learn what he
had to say about the situation of affairs in
Utah, and was afforded pleasant interview
with that gentleman. Referring to the recent
sensational statements which had been sent
from Salt Lake City and Omaha, and published
throughout the east, he pronounced the whole
business an outrageous Misrepresentation of
the facts. 1.-THE EdmunG's law" said Mr..
Caine, "has been enforced against the Mormons
with the utmost rigor, more especially the Sd
section of the act, which makes it a crime for
any male person in territory other place
over which the United States have exclusive
Jurisdiction to coha6a with more than one
woman. Under this law dozens Of Mormons
who married their wives many years ago have
been sent to prison. while several non-Mormons
charged with the most heinous sexual crimes
have been set free by the same judge who i'm
prisoned the Mormons for cohabting with their
plural wives, and because they would not
promise prom to abandon them In the future. The
never missed an opportunity to preach from
the bench the great object Of the Edmunds law;
| awful consequences OF polygamy, and that its
be lost sight Of.
"How mas the evidence been obtained in
these unlawful cohabitation cases?" inquired
THE STAR reporter.
"ln the most despicable manner" replied Mr..
Caine. "Spies and spoilers were scattered all
over Salt Lake City. 1nsidious visits were made
to certain marked houses, and in this way, un-
der the guise of friendship, sufficient evidence
men to prison. The Mormons have protested
over and over again in regard to the manner
that ii should be administered impartially; that
II it was applicable to the Mormons, who Co
Wn tn their ha then must be
who visited houses of prostitution. Several
non-Mormons Of Salt Lake City, among them
prominent prosecutors Of the MormOns, were
to cohabit with more than one woman, and
the city authorities determined that such
should be punished. l may state, however,
said Mr.. Game. "that Judge Zane has long since
SO ruled that under the Edmunds act no one
cohabitation. He made the law special in that
respect, but there was local law for the punish
ment of'lewd and lascivious conduct and under
that 1t was decided to arrest, upon evidence in
the hands OF the police, a large humber of nom
MOrmons for lewd and lascivious conduct The
first to be arrested was Deputy Marshal Van
dercOok, . man who had been very conSpicu-
Gus in arresting MOrmons, but on hdbeds corpus
Judge Zane discharged him on the ground that
IL
wife-was not lewd and lascivious. inasmuch as
the crime was not committed publicly! When
Vandercook was discharged there was sigh of
relief given by many who had learned in
some way, or suspected, that their names were
on the list"
ais the list large one?"
"That don't know, but I am assured that
many prominent men OF Salt Lake City are on
it. This proceeding on the part of the city
bic feeling between the Mormons and Gentiles.
The idea Of interfering with non-Morinons for
unlawful cO-habitation! No, no! What was
sauce for the goose was not sauce for the gander
when did all this occur, Mr.. Cainee"
"The arrest OF Vandercook took place
about week before the shooting of McMarrin
by Deputy Marshal Collin; in fact believe that
Judge Zane discharged Vandercook on the
place. The non. Mornons. as I have said, we're we're
greatly enraSed at the trap being sprung upon
them, + was 70 they never antic;
the passage or enforcement Of the Edmunds
..What about the recent threatened outbreak
in Utah?'
81 do not know OF any threatened outbreak.
The sensational statements which have been
Throughout the east, are outrageous misrepre-
sensations OF the actual situation of affairs.
They are Just such statements as are usually
coucocted by the enemies Of the people of Utah
every year, generally about the converting of
Cons ress. They are manufactured this year
for special purpose, and that pur pose UNI
doubtedly to deceive President Cleveland-to
cause him to delay the removal OF republican
federal officials, and to distract the attention
OF the country from the misdeeds of men Who
ii not directly United States officials, have been
very prominent In prosecuting the Mormons
for unlawful cohabitation. These men must
be saved from prosecution OH the charge of
lewd and iascivious conduct hanging over them
at amy sacrifice. The scheme has evidently
been overdOne, and think the administration
feel that, on the strength of statements
made by Governor Murray and other officials, a
good deal OF fuss has been made out of nothing
nf nd In IN
entirely uncalled Tor, and the quartering of
a buttery vi artillery in the city where peace
dangered, is an injustice to the people of the
Territory. believe the President has been de-
ceived by designing men; but the very fact that
troops has given credence to the wild Stories
which under ordinary circumstances would not
have been believed. In consequence OF such
dastardly INTERPRETATIONS not only the
people, but the business interests of Utah are
very seriously injured, and as have stated to
the President, federal officials who would SO
disgrace their position wilfuly and mali
ciously mis.epresent an inotfensive people, and
thus deceive the administration, are certainly
| unworthy the confidence OF the government,
and should not be allowed to represent it in a
territory or anywhere else. Utah, from its
earliest history, has suffered almost irreparable
wrongs at the hands OF dishonest men who
have been sent out from time to time to I'LL
federal positions, the appointing power being
seemingly of the opinion that anything was
good enough for Utah. Indeed the Territory
has been too often the dumping ground for
a class of high toned officials who will admin
lister the law impartially, In spirit OF cOncila-
ton, instead Of one of rancOr and oppression.
Minister Denby's Experiences I'm China.
PLENTY OF HARD WORK, BUT HE LIKES IT.
In letter from Picking, addressed to q men,
Der Of the Alumni society OF Georgetown Uni
versity by Mr.. Charles DENLY, the American
minister to China the latter writes: Nothing In
my career Of some months hospitality and
charming entertainments was more agreeable
than the distinction with with GEORGETOWN
University honored me- and the subsequent
personal attentions shown me by you and your
associates.
ind plenty of law work here. and much
elegant ctvility in the way of dining with my
colleagues and Chinese officials. Our extra
territorial Jurisdiction creates much official
labor. II Is congenial to me, and do not fear
that will fail to properly discharge my duties.
But do not for q moment forget the kind
friends who, all over the United States, were
SO lavish OF courtesy and polite attention."
The Water Works Extension.
MAJOR LYDEcKER REPORTS PROGRESS DURING
THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.
Major Lydecker, In his report to the chief OF
engineers of operations tor increasing the
water supply for the month of November,
| states that the flood resulting from the storm
| of October 29th and 30th did great deal to
| delay the work on the dam at Great Falls, and