Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-06-01
UTAH AFFAIRS AT WASHINGTON.


Committee thus far is in the main salts
factory, and if the Edmunds bill is re-
ported and passed in its present condi-
ton, the loyal people OF Utah VIII
certainly have no cause for complaint.
The excson of the clauses providing for
the appointment OF trustees to take charge |
OF the Mormon church property is much
more than offset by the introduction OF |
section repeating the charters granted to
the Church and Emigration Society. In
our opinion, the Importance OF the former
provision has been greatly overestimated
by some of the friends of the bill. Before
the Act could take effect the greater por-
ton OF the property would be con-
veyed to the leaders OF the church,
and but little of that which could
be rendered available for objectional pur-
poses by the Mormons, would be found
remaining in the name of the organiza-
ton, which, although ostensibly relin-
gushing its title, would continue its
actual control as absolutely as under the
present law. The practical results OF the
provision would not be commensurate to
the trouble and expense it would entail
while its elimination will materially
lessen the opposition to the general bill.
We infer that what the dispatch desig-
mates as the "Church and Emigration
Society,"" is the Perpetual Emigration
Fund Company, chartered by the Terri
torial Legislature of 1850, granting special
privileges to the Church authorities, and
under which the missionary and immi-
grafton work of the Mormons has been
conducted since that time. Under its
provisions, proselyting among the lower
classes in Europe has been greatly
facilitated, and to them is the Ter
ritory mainly indebted for the
greater portion OF its present Ignorant
and priest-ridden population. The nulli-
iication OF this perncous Territorial Act
was u happy thought of the Judiciary
Committee, and it is somewhat surpris-
ing that it was not engrafted by the
author in the original bill. Some minor
amendments have also been made, the
purports of which have not been reported,
but it is not probable that the principal
features OF the bill have been or will be
materially changed by the Committee.
1t was thought that the bill would be re-
ported to the House to-day and placed
upon the calendar, although doubt was
expressed in the dispatch as to whether
motion could be had upon it during the
session. From the general feeling in
Congress, as indicated by press and other
reports, we are inclined to the
opinion that the doubt is not well
founded. Congress evidently realizes
the necessity OF immediate and efficient
action upon Utah matters. The subject
has been thoroughly ventilated at Wash
ngton, and Notwithstanding the powerful
efforts OF the Mormon lobby and the
lavish expenditure OF gold wrung from
the wretched dupes and serfs at this end
OF the line, the Gentle cause has beer
steadily progressing throughout the ses
sion, and there is scarcely the shadow o.
doubt, if the bill was to come up upon
its final passage to-day, OF its indorse
ment by at least two-thirds OF the mem
bers of the House, with the probability
OF n proportionate majority in the Senate
1t seems scarcely possible under the
circumstances, that parliamentary tactics
can prevail to defeat the efforts
OF so pronounced and earnest
a majority as evidently backs the
Edmunds bill, and the DEMocRA1
will hazard the prediction that before the
adjournment of Congress it will be en-
abled to gladden. the hearts OF its loya
readers with the joyful tidings OF the en-
actment OF law which will wrest from
traitorous hands the local government o
this Territory, and place it under the con
troll OF those who will conduct it in har
mony with the higher authority TO whicl
every true American owes and acknowl
edges his first allegiance. The bill in
troduced in response TO the President Is
message, authorizing special session o
the Territorial Legislature, is a measure o
trivial Importance compared with the
momentous issues involved in the Ed
munds and Woodburn acts. 1t is nov
on the calendar e. the House, but Will
what chances Br5assage can hardly b,
estimated. Weeoniess that we cannot dis
cern the causefo the violent opposition
eyinced by aportion OF the Gentiles agains
this bill The passage OF the Territoria
Appropriation bill is desirable for tn,
general interests of the people. Th,
Supreme Court will meet on the 10th o
this month, and the contested claims t,
the Auditor and Treasuryships will b,
decided before the time the Legislatur
would convene. This will remove TIN
well-founded objection urged by ex-Goy
ernor Murray to the bill at the time of it
former passage. With the present guber
material safeguard, no Objectionable legis
lation could be rendered effectual, an,
there appears no foundation for fears q
damaging results. The opposition III fac
seems factious and frivolous, and vii
certainly not add to the strength of tn
more important measures now pendin
in Congress. Antagonism to q recon
mendation OF the President, withou
greater cause than can be shown in thi
matter, is the worst kind of policy for til
Gentiles of Utah to DIlrSllp at this iunf