The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-05-16
MORMONS ABROAD.
The Penalty for Disturbing
One of their Meetings.
A VERY INTERESTING CASE.
The spats Between the Barristers-
What One of the Lawyers Saw
In salt Lake.

MeSSrS. ,. DAN. WITS ana j. LySaBnt
VIM. Ratcliff. a respectfully dressed
young man. of 81 Bridge Street. Bar
ton hill, was summoned for having dis
turbed a certain meeting and congrega-
ton OF Protestant dissenters assembled
in the Latter-day Saints Mission Hall
Barrow lane, St Philips. on the 18th oil
April Mr.. ] II. Clifton appeared foI
the complainant, and Mr.. II. r. Vans
brougb for the defendant
Mr.. Clifton, in staring the case for the
complainant. observed that having re-
gard to the number Of books with which
his learned friend was armed one would
think that they were going to discuss a
matter OF international moment, or
some subject OF equal gravity. whereas
The question in that case was one OF ex-
treme simplicity, for there could be no
doubt that the language of the statute
was very comprehensive, and took in
every class of public worship. The Act
provided that any person guilty OF
riotous, violent, or indecent behavior
in any cathedral, church, parish or dis
trict church, or in any chapel of any re-
ligious denomination, or in any place
duly certified under the 18th and 18th
Victoria, whether during Divine service
or at any other time. should be guilty
of an offense. 1t was not necessary to
travel into any theological discussion.
for the only question which could arise
was whether the place in question was
duly certified for Divine service.
Mr. WASsBRoCGH--Tne statute says.
Any place of meeting for reli, us
worship."
Mr. LYsAGHT-Do you contend that
this IS not religious Worship
MR. WANsBRoUGH-Most certainly |
do.
Mr.. GoRE-Might not it include devil
worship?
Nh. WASsBRoUGH-No; that would
not be religious worship. / shall show
that the doctrine which these people are
teaching is pernicious one.
Ma LYsAsHT Some people think the
Roman Catholic doctrine pernicious.
Mr.. Wans5rough said he should show
that the Mormons taught what was re-
pugnant 10 English law.
Mr.. Clifton. continuing his statement.
said the worshipers at this licensed
place on Barton Hill were STYLED the
Church of Jesus Christ's Latter-day
Saints, and they had large number of
followers: and whether right or wrong.
they were entitled TO their own convic-
tons. They must assume that people
who submitted TO a large amount of
personal priyation and ANNOYANCE must
have a firm belief in the tenents which
they held. HIS learned friend sought
TO appear in a new capacity. that OF a
theological lecturer, and 70 tell them
what was religion and what was not.
He (Mr. Clifton) had simply to show |
that the place was licensed as a place |
for the holding of religions worship.
He cared not what their religion was :
II might be sun worship-they were en-
titled to be protected. In this case the
parties were holding n service. and on
the Sunday afternoon in question. the
defendant came in, ami II was d byious
that il was his intention to make a di-
version of some kind. Defendant.
stood up and commenced annoying the 1
and that. too, after a no
ice had been read by the complainant
hat it was certified place OF worship.
md persons creating a disturbance
would be elected and ultimately perse-
,uted. His friend had gone through
he remarkable farce of giving him no
ice 10 produce the Book OF Mormon,
.opy of the Mormon book of hymns
md all other books and documents re-
ating to the doctrine of Mormonism.
( he had been summoning the leaders
themselves from Salt Lake City, he
ould not have asked for more.
Nh. GcRE -Supposing this had been
iahommedan place of worship. the
would not be asked to bring
he Koran.
Mr.. Clifton said be could not produce [
II the BOOKS relating TO Mormonism.
ut his clients did not wish to hide what '
Tere the principles OF the Mormon faith
IN the contrary, The object of hold
az their meetings was to disseminate !
nd eIpound the articles of faith in
Thich they believed. and which he felt {
ssured they found consolatory and {
omforring in the highest degree. The '
efendant having gone into the Mission 8
Iall yentured. upon his own response I
ility, 10 tell the assembled multitude
hat the place was not licensed, but the 5
cens~ was ~rodnced and read, and he 5
NJ Cttbonl now prod esd it. The !
Mt, Mr., Geof : Webb, went q
u ciuuCldlluB Ills VIEWS. OUT was OIIcn-
yely interrupted on many occasions I
y the defendant. who ordered the win {
ows 10 be thrown open. The persons a
ear them opened the windows. and it 7
hen became evident that the defend Z
Ut had some sympathizers outside, o
no had evidently come there for the @
lIrpoSe of interfering with the Latter o
az Saints. Defendant shouted out q
lat the service was not religious wor- a
nip. sud that those who were there Z
ere murderers, seducers. and cut b
lroats That was language which b
louid not be used, toward any one; $
ley must have respect OF persons. 5
zen il thew we're Agapemonites, and v
le Lstter-day Saints were as much en- !,
lied 10 protection as any other body. S
he defendant vas requested 10 leave q
le place. and q police constable was "
.iled, and he suggested that defendant
I'd disturbed that congregation. The a
however. had no yindic- q
we feeling, aad all he desired was .
ace Z,
George Webb. cabinet-maker, living
80 Bridge Street. Barton Hill. said he b
a President III the Bristol Branch Of n