The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-04-28
JUDGE BENEFITS PLAN.

| the scItle1cul Vi tue AOI4nOu pIOO4clu
which, we understand, are to accom-,
pany the petition of the Gentiles
for further legislation against this Ter
ritory. 1t appears that the Judge is
DESTROYS of having Congress adopt some
measure that would not only increase
the vigorous enforcement of the laws
against polygamy and unlawful cohGbi-
tation, but that would also look to
wards the education and elevation of
the Mormon people; q plan that would
not only suggest vengeance, but breathe
at the same time spirit of charity and
true reform. The Judge pays a pass
ing tribute to the industry and frugal
ity of the Mormon people, and gives
them credit, both priests and people,
for being honest in their religious
convictions, which he of course
calls fanaticism. He refers TO the neg
lect of government which permitted po-
lygamy to grow strong, which fact, he
claims, should induce Congress to be
humane in the measures adopted for its
oppression.
He exposes the folly of The legislation
that created the Utah Commission,
which, with its aids, cCsts the gov
eminent about $40 900 per annum, and
sums up what has been accomplished
under the adverse legislation for Utah
as follows:
Zone hundred polygamists have been
convicted mostly for the crime of IN
lawful cohabitation with their polyga-
nous wives; two or three thousand po-
lygamists have been refused registra-
ton, and the Mormon people in their
blind fanaticism have concluded thst
the government is despotic and have
renewed their allegiance to the church
The provisions of the Edmunds bill
which has already passed the Senate
and is now in the hands of the House
judiciary committee. are discussed at
some length and a conclusion reached
that the bill embraces some good and
some bad provisions, but no beneficent
features" The features in the bill that
are condemned as bad, unwise, ineffec-
fual, or absurd are these:
The lawful wife testifying against her
husband in polygamy cases;
The certifying of marriages, whether
lawful or polygamous;
Prohibiting illegitimate children in
heriting any portion of the fathers
estate;
Authorizing the appointment of trus-
tees to take possession and control OF
the property of the Mormon church;
And continuing the Registration Com
In all the provisions of the new Ed
munds bill, it is claimed by Mr.. Bennett
that there is nothing looking to the mat
ter OF making the Aormons good cit
liens Of the republic, except indirectly
by Furnishing offenders more vigorously.
1t only suggests vengeance, and does
not breathe of charity or true reform.
So much for the Judges .criticism of the
measure enacted and pending enact
ment against Utah. We now come to
the consideration of the plan ne him
self suggests.
He assumes as fact that the priest
hood in Utah absolutely dictates the
political action of the Mormon
masses, and while he regards
polygamY as the most offensive
feature. he claims that the priestly
dictation is the most dangerous and
threatening, and therefore says the sew
GRANGE Of Church from State is most
important; and to the accomplishment
of these purposes he has shaped his
recommendations to Congress. No one
will deny that the leading men in the
Mormon priesthood have had and still
continue to exercise considerable infiu-
ence in the political affairs OF our Ter
ritory. Why is that so? Because the
leading men in the Mormon priesthood
are the leading, thinking men in every
department. of our affairs-business and
social, as well as ecclesiastical; and il is
by virtue of their being leading spirits
generally. rather than by virtue of
their position in the priesthood that
gives them political influence. It is
repetition of what
"Just experience tells in every soil,
That those who think, must govern those
who toll"
These men being the leading minds
among the people have had q great in
huence with them in their political ar
rangements. just as leading men in all
communities have their influence over
their less actiye-minded neighbors. And
though these men hold high ecclesias-
teal positions. We know of no principle
in our theory of government that
requires them to refrain from
giving counsel and advice to their
neighbors. or using their influence TO
secure that political action they shall
deem best Suited to the circumstances
Of :he community That the Mormon
priesthood holds ne extraordinary
power BY which men can be forced into
- .fs.-. -. ,ew 4. l.. .