New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-12
THE MORMON CONSPIRACY.
REPORT OF THE UTAH GRAND JURY.

IMPORTING DIsoRDERLY WOMEN TO ENTRAP OBJ
NoxfoUs oFFICIALs-PLoTTERs Indicted.
CHICAGO, Dec. IL (SDeciaN. The full text OF
the report made by the Unea States Grand Jury which
has just concluded its abOrs at Salt Lake City, has been
received here and is in many respects n remarkable
document II reviews published charges that Nor.
Church dignitaries contributed money to induce
disordery to visit the Mormon capital cntrap
United States officials, and verihes the charges Tho
port is as follows:
To The Hon. c. s. ZANE. Judge, Third District Court
Your Grand Jury herewith returns two indictments
for conspiracy four indictments for keeping houses OF
famo unaer the Territorial laws, and Indictment
for carrying business fas retail liquor dealer with
out payment OF the special tax therefor under
the law Of Congress. In connection herewith we deem
II our duty to specially report as follows: Since the
year 1876 has statute OF the Territory pro-
hibiting the keeping Of residing in. or resorttng to
houses OF ifame for the purposes OF prostitution or
ewdness. During great part If not all, of the
period, ordinances OF the municipality OF Salt Lake City
upon the subject have been In existence BUnder
these ordinances few weeks ago number Of prosecu-
tions were instituted under circumstances which at
tracted public attention. These proceedings were
summarly brought to because of ruisg OF this
court determining the question OF law I'M
mediately involved adversely to the city.S TIC
attention Of the Grand Jury, well the public was
however. drece to certain matters connected wItn
these prosecutions the discharge of duty
thoroughly as the command would permit.
Officers of the county and city governments together
with private citizens, have appeared before us ana bean
and examined and the present result OF our in-
Quiry Is embodied III indictments herewith returned
We not content, however. to pass the natter over
without further and emphatic expression con scniOry
of the methods AMI practices hereinafter mem
toned. Some time In April or May lass
an officer Of the city government, noe
connected with the police. with orders unknown nc
present to the Grand Jury enerc into conspiracy 10
open houses of assgnaon aud ill fame within the city
limits for the ayOwed purpose OF entrapping weak and
vicious persons into the commission of offences against
chastity and morality. in order that all such might be
exposed punished in the courts. This scheme in-
voyed the renting and lifting up of houses for the pur-
pose employment OF public and private prostitutes,
the cOuvcr ion OF the Police Bureau into nest of spot
ters and spies, the expenditure o; la ge sum Of
money For years there have been weknown houses Of
prostitution in Salt Lake which have been under polica
surveillance and at stated periods have contributed a@
teriay To the revenues OF the Municipality several OF
these houses situated OH the main ana promlnen1
streets OK the city auG Win thelr ke'pets anu pro PU
known IN the community. We do not NJ rsand that
cation OF these places nor the enforcement OF tAe law
against those those WHO resided therein or reslriei
thereto purposes OF PROSTITUTION cwdncss Or tho
contrary, appears by the evidence before ~ the pan
was conceived AMI carried mo eject wi."%9ns %
with the design OUsng the criminal law as snare IOf no
weak and immoral and with the object in part least.
scheme hSlses were rented aud furnished IN West ren.
houses were 90 altered and arranged in their mtcrr
persons could be placed TO observe al that tran
spred within and every member VI the police force OK
salt Lake city with two honorable exceptions. John u
Smith and William Calder volunteered his services as
spy ant inroner IN au OF the conspiracy lHe "oinen
were hired to perform their parts and their exetons
stimulated by the promise O' e6Inn5Rs e59TT.Sas
high officials. One Of these creatures was promised
~ the OF her being able 20 draw TIE Gov
ernor Of the Territory into her tolls IL inc e.te OF
their operations these women conveyed notes oi uytt-
interviews business at places deslgnated Inc tO!-
lowing, leaving the names blank, is sample oL these
notes delivered BY messenger boys:
SALT LAKE CITY, July 95, 1885.
DEAR SIR: II Ifconvenient, would be pleased to have
you call to me this afternoon or about dusk tnis
evening. / want to see you on particular business;
Please send answer by messenger boy when you VIII
We are Informed by persons engaged In this infomaus
po. that their posts OF observation they
place apartments in these houses visited by meh and
women who were weak and depra' ed enough 10 respond
to the opportunities presented 10 them. Their names
taken ard the evidence noted FOR future reference
and use Wien the exposure OF this conspiracy was at
| hand tho houses closed. one woman was sent TO
California upon a ticket furnished her. Another was
driven to Francklyn by police officer who had pre-
viousy purchased her ticket She took the train for
Denver uuderan assumed name one these women was
and the other 500 for her services when the women
warrants issued and tic arrests Nude aud the
munity thrown into state OF excitement anJ ALARM
prime mover, paid by OF tho high Officials OF
| Salt Lake County II is claimed that the money was
ascertain that any part OF came frou the public treas
ury Neither the Mayor. chief OF police. nor other city
Officials except herein stated, far as We can learn
| were ADVISED Of the proceeding until the plot was
| ripe All Ot the police officers engaged IN
H. is claimed performed The services required when or
duty One OF hem states that his services were ren
| dcred for the good Of the cause" -
We have promptly indicted all persons connected with
this Uult " ru and criminal undertaking against whom
could procure violence but we are not sat'net 70
rest here without publicly directing me atteht Ga OF INC
| has been perpertel We do not understand that the
| criminal law OF tho Territory was desiEued 10 aia
scoundrel spies. sucaks and nformers ia cneing and
encouraging well-disposed persons to commit crime.
! laws Tho law is humane and consiicga'c and
| has for its aim the prevention OF crime ana
II does not we think, contemplate the commission or
crimes order that additional crimes may he eonnit
! tod and the last Offenders exposed and punished H.
cannot he supposed that the law oil any clNilaed o,e
permit association OF persons. OlheeFs or private
peoplc to do wroi order that they be punished
80 cause" however good" can justify the use OF
the community demand rigid and satisfactory nlsS
! cation by tho municipal and county authorities S
ths matter We are certain but that every person
engaged In to induce anotherto yloste the
crime so Induced the life OF body is drawing 10
An end we have deemed it advisable 10 pur.ne this
submit the matter now considered to the next Grand
Jury OF this district with such Instructions as the Ia"
may warrant. MORRIS Is. ~, EtANs,d Gd rur,
Tho city official roforrcd 10 In the report was brsn a
bnmds The mn penaty Tor keeping house OF prostitt-
Is six months imprisonment ana nue. OF 9'og 1o
conspiracy 1t is one years imprisonment auu ""' A
! WNsrIxGrox Dec ll--Delegate Calne OF Utah, THIS
sht rSirf usrIcc Zane in the OF Deputy United
States Marshal NandercOok arrested on 20
| hal sustained tho Territorial law. which makes the
offence named misdemeanor lIhls decision Deiesasj
Game has direct bearing upon al9Se H"hOoEo VI
! cases o a similar kind
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