The Portland daily press., 1886-03-19
THE PRESIDENT AND THE NOR
MONS

If it was wise to remove Gov. Murray of
Utah,at all, it was not wise or polite to re-
move him just at this time. Immediately af-
ter President Cleveland was inaugurated
Gov Murray notified the Interior depart
ment that his resignation could be had when
ever it was wanted. The other day he
vetoed the general appropriation bill
passed by the Mormon legislature of the
Territory on the ground that it unlawfully
continued in office the auditor and treasurer,
which he said in his message was move to
curtail the national power in the Territory
and expand the local or Mormon power. The
saints were greatly incensed at the Govern
or's action, and in public meeting de-
nouneed 1t in a series of resolutions, In which
occurred the following:
ResoLued, That the refusal of his excellen-
cy to sign the bills because of his opinion
concerning the official status of the auditor
and treasurer is only pretext, instead of a
reason that the absolute veto power vested
in him is an engine of oppression, partisan
ship and malice; that In giving official utter
ance to the sentiment that the regularly en-
acted and approved laws of Utah are acts of
notification, Eli FL. Murray openly and will
fully insults the patriotism of the various
legislative assemblies Of this Territory by
whom these laws were passed; that he open
w, definitely and for revolutionary purposes
insults the patriotism of the good people of
this Territory, by whom said legislative as
semblies were elected, and whose. represen-
tatiyes we are; and lastly, that he Wilfully
and deliberately insulted the intelligence,
patriotism and devotion to duty OF his prede-
cessors in office, who, while possessing abso-
lutely the veto power, and being equal in
authority to him, the said Eli II. Murray,
and equally responsible with the legislative
assembly, have given their final approval OF
said laws.
1t is in the midst of this controversy, In
which Gov. Murray has the sympathy and
support Of all the Gentiles in the Territory,
that the demand is made for his resignation
1t may not have been intended as rebuke
to the Governor for his veto, but coming at
this time every Mormon will so interpret it,
and new hope will spring up in every
one of them. 1t is said the administration
will appoint a successor who will be less OBJ
noxious to the Saints. If SO then it
will appoint somebody who will enforce the
laws less stringently than Gov. Murray has
done, Tor 1t is his enforcement of the laws
and nothing else that has made him obnox-
ious. President Cleveland In his message
took the strongest possible ground against
the polygamous practices of the Mormons.
and promised very plainly that they should
receive no indulgence at his hands. The re-
moval of Gov. Murray at this time and under
such circumstances will, we fear, somewhat
shake public confidence in that promise
At least it will bring joy to the Mormons,
and that of itself is enough to condemn it.
To be sure Secretary Lamar made the de-
mand, but the President can hardly avoid re-
sponsibility for the official acts of the menu
beers of his Cabinet. Whatever the motive
may have been, the removal at this
time was blunder that will strengthen the
Mormons, and weaken the administration in
the estimation of all the friends of good
morals unless it be retrieved by the appoint
ment of aman who will enforce the law and
maintain the national authority as firmly as
has Gov. Murray.