Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-09
A MORMON EPIsTLE,
In Which the Latter-Day Saints State
Their Grievances.

In Which the Latter-Day Saints State
Their Grievances.
SALT LAKE,, October 7.-At the Mormon
General Conference at Coalville, Utah, to-
day. an epistle was read from Presidents
Taylor and Cannon congratulating the
people upon the unity of faith increasing
among them, caused by the present perse-
cution. It urges the continuance OF the
efforts to live lives of purity, that evil
doers and hypocrites may be cast out. The
present troubles are merely the fulfillment
of an ancient prophecy and God is on their
side. The people have been greatly blest,
and their hearts should swell with thanks
giving. Awatchful care should be extended
to the families of those imprisoned or ex-
lied missionaries and the burden borne by
all. Referring to the District Courts OF
Utah, it considers the law perverted and
unjustly administered. The course taken
is extremely vindictive and un-elenting
SOCIAL PURITY AND SOCIAL VICE
are not the object, but the oppression OF
individuals on account of religious posi-
ton. BY the unwarrrntable application
of the Edmunds act men are m ade offenders
because of religious scruples and rendered
criminals when not amenable to law. In
dividuals, according to evidence, living with
only one wife, are presumed to have CO.
habited with another, and convicted when
the presumption is ohliterated by the
proof. In a number Of instances where
parties endeavored to heed the Edmunds
law, indictments were found and husbands
almost invariably sentenced to full penal
ties of fine and imprisonment contrary to
the Jurisprudence of centuries. Legal wlfes
are compelled under threats OF impriLon-
ment to testify against their lawful hus-
bands and divulge
SACRED FAMH SECRETS
by a system of segregation. The offense
according to the law is punishable at the
utmost extent to six months imprison-
men and fine of $500 multiplied into
many offences and a full sentence inflicted
for each fraction. The plan adopted makes
several counts in one indictment, the mum
ber not being defined by law is lett Tor arol-
trarv disposition. The Grand Jury is &C.
i.ctcd for it's known hostility to Mormons
and ia usually the tool of an INSCRIPTIONS
and bitter District Attorney. The petit
Jurors are selected for their known antag-
onism to the Mormon people. IN near'y
every instance finding verdicts as "sked Dy
tne District Attorney, oblivious OF excui
mating portions of the evidence. Strong
anti Mormon jur;sts are selected on an
omen yenire to try Mormons on onepsee
npt included in the Edmunds bill. Courts
dec;dine on questions of law procedure al
desired by the District Attorney, ignorlnf
the deiendant's couusel's request for lega
;nstructions to the jury, the victims neloi
entirely at the mercy OF their prosecutors
It refers bitterly to the injustice OF com
pelling ..
WIVES AND CHILDREN OF TENDER YEARS
n testify in the courts, becoming lns!ru
,nents =" of their parents incarceration
Menv old men who nave contracted no new
% marital obligations but are merely engagee
~ caring for their families honoraoiy' ar arr
the ~ victims Of the courts malevoience. I'M IN
Sae Sae rtless severity with which the ylc'lml a.
. 20 nursued is not for the punlc osnenv 4i',
are are 70 vreak vengence on members OF tn NJ
M",~,on ULS W. Church. Obedience to the law, al
nnnatrned @ by the courts, is difficult !.n OF con-
cpeSsnsion Swing to the numerous d,yGrc i,;ao
Pasr.t; PPasn,t;ons. No being OF hnmane iee,lns
u." unmiJ AK that wives and children oe ';n auan
xou.J Io"aJ an an1 families broken upon, caus.s as
% sotrov and anguish With no p"Dne p'n''