Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-05-19
MORMON SINCERITY.

The Tuscarora 1imss-Repiew, whose
editor is better posted OH Utah affairs
than any other outside newspaper man
in all this Western country, has the fol-
lowing to say anent the insincerity Of
Mormon professions:
Caleb W. West, the new Governor of Utah,
IL evidently the right man in the right place.
He came to the Territory with his ears filled
with the versions of the condition of affairs
there as related by the representatives of
the two elements at Washington, and he
has, during his brief residence at Salt Lake,
eyinced determination to ascertain for
himself how far each is entitled to credit,
and to act in accordance with the result OF
his investigation, without fear or favor and
with an eye single to fair and impartial
administration of the laws so far as pertains
to his executive functions. Persecution
on account of religion" is the principal
stock in trade Of the polygamists in their
Efforts to secure for themselves favorable
consideration at Washington and elsewhere
1t with such effect; aided by the grossest
Misrepresentation, rs to inspire oon-
siderable doubt in the East as to
whether they are not unjustly discrimn-
ated against in the administration OF
the Federal laws. They claim that
theN iiNb Witnil tut luWb anu tlht tl6 many
convictions for unlawful cohabitation arc
owing to prejudiced judges and jurors, per-
jured testimony, and the vindictive manner
in which the prosecuting officers conduct
the cases. Governor West doubtless arrived
in Utah somewhat impressed with the idea
that the persecution cry was not entirely
without cause, and determined il such was
the case, to 30 exercise his executive power
AZ to insure for them such fairness and
impartiality as all persons charged with
criminal offenses are entitled to at the hands
of the Federal authorities. He has recently
given the Mormons in the Penitentiary, CON
victed of unlawful cohabitation, an oppor-
tunity OF proving the sincerity of thsir
professed willingness to obey the laws and
at the same time verify the truth of their
assertions that they were the victims of the
malice and prejudice of the Federal
officers of the Territory. The late
decision Of the United States Supreme
Court, having blasted the hopes of
those sentenced for more than a single
term, of speedy deliveranoe from that quar-
ter, Governor West determined to test their
sincerity by the interposition of executive
clemency, conditioned upon their simple
promise to hencsforth yield obedience to the
Federal laws. How the Governors
overtures were received Is thus related by
the Salt Lake DEMooRAT''-
Here the Timcs-ReuieW sets forth the
overtures made by the Governor to
poiygamist Snow, and after quoting from
the DEMOCRAT to show the answers re-
turned by the convict Apostle, concludes
by approvingly quoting as follows: at is
Just such experience as he tGoyernor
West needs, since it will serve, better
than aught else we can think OF, to
4
help him in arriving at an early and full
understanding of the situation as il actu-
ally exists in Utah to-day, and thus make
clear the way to intelligent action on his
part as the chief magistrate OF this priest
ridden Territory"