Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-03-25
CANNON,s EXCESSIVE BAIL"
Mayor Armstrong still Kicking,
HIT Nevertheless the Bond Will
Have to he Paid.

For some reason or other the question
OF the $4,000 Cannon bonds did not
come into court this morning. The pres
ence of lie Grande Young, Esq, Cannon's
principal attorney, was taken as conclu-
sive evidence that the case would be
brought up for some disposition, and
when Treasurer Jack was seen to enter
the courtroom with an attorney sus-
picion at once fastened itself in the minds
OF those present that the Church money
bags would forever end the controversy
over the bonds. In this, as well rs
in every other respect, there was
disappointment. 1t is understood that
Armstrong, while he has not altogether
abandoned his intention Of testing the
question in the Supreme Court OF the
United States, has certainly weakened a
little, and has been heard to express the
opinion that the fight should have been
made on the $25 900 bond, as the other
two are so much less excessive.
Mr.. Eldredge is decidedly averse to
entering upon any contest, and has in
quired, it is understood, whether he may
be permitted to pay one-half of the
amount of the bonds and let Mayor Arm
strong carry on the fight alone. This,
however, is thought to be entirely out OF
the question. The matter will in all
probability be held over until the $25, 900
is paid to the court, when it will be taken
hold OF in earnest.
The attitude OF Armstrong is severely
censured by many of the honorable Nor
mon business men, and not by anyone
more unqualifedly than General Ed
redge, who desires to have the obligation
discharged in peace.
District Attorney Dickson was asked by
a DEMOCRAT reporter whether there was
even ghost of chance for Armstrong to
evade the payment of his obligation on
the bonds.
"No," said Mr.. Dickson, emphatically
che has no chance whatever The talk
about exorbitant bonds is all nonsense,
and haven't patience to discuss it."
SIS it matter OF general practice, u
asked the reporter, "to take into consid-
OF the offense and the extent OF the pen
atty, and gauge the sureties accordingly?''
ooh, of course those matters are moi
ignored by any means; but the true
object in the matter of fixing sureties is
to place the bond sufficiently high tc
secure, beyond reasonable doubt, the
attendance of the party at the time de
sired; but it is provided also, that in fix
ing the bail the same must not be sc
great as to be out OF all possible reach o
the individual, and this is the principa
consideration OF the law, as it is sought t
guarantee means by which parties
charged with violations OF law may
obtain their liberty pending trial; but il
providing this privilege the law does no
in any extent contemplate discstablishin.
or in any wise weakening q courts facili
ties for insuring the attendance OF thu
accused"
"You are aware, though, that in thu
Cannon case the bonds are thought, b.
the Mormons, at least, to be unprece
dentedly high"
'The proposition is absurd in the fac
OF Cannons skipping. His failure to mp
pear for trial is direct and positive evi
dence that the bonds were not higl
enough. Ii the amount had been to-
much for him to furnish it would thel
have been truly exorbitant, and the cour
would have taken cognzance OF the fact
So far as presidents are concerned, re
member in the Sharon-Hill case in Sa
Francisco, several OF the witnesses VIII
were indicted for perjury were held il
$4,000 sureties each, and were only oh
scure individuals, too. The bonds wer
placed high because it was feared tn
parties would be put out OF reach, an
Cannon's were regulated by the sam
conditions. Again, in Illinois, at tn
elections of 1874, some of the partie
guilty of fraud were required to furnis
bail in the sum of 100000, for q simila
reason. Mr.. Cannon or his friend
' should hesitate to complain OF excessiv
bonds when it is evident to everybody tha
, his were not sufficiently large to hol
! him. At all events they will find tha
, the bonds are solid and will stand ever
! test -