Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1888-10-24


Person Can b. Of Good Moral Char.
acter who Upholds Polygamy Hence
None Such Will be Given Citizenship
The Territorial Supreme Court
Therefore Opposed to Mormonisn.
As there has been considerable
anxiety in this community in regard
to the stand likely to be taken by
Chief Justice Weir on the Mormon
question, a TINES reporter sought
him out, to day, and found him at the
Alturas hotel, just as he came out Of
the dining room.
After few moments conversation
on general topics. during which HIS
Honor expressed himself as greatly
pleased with our splendid, and even
romantic surroundings, Justice Weir
paid our local bar quite a handsome
compliment by saying that it was
quite a superior one.
The reporter conceded, adding that
the bar included some able lawyers
among whom was Judge Rosborough
who was admittedly eminent in
his profession by reason OF his age
and attainments.
"Yes," replied Justice Weir; "and
believe that he feels very strong ",
that he entertains a very decided
opinion, on at least one question of
great interest here"
This could of course be none other
than the Mormon question; and as
that was just what the reporter de
sired His Honor to talk about, he list
ened expertantly, without as much as
daring to ln,ccpolate a word. His
Honor then continues:
81 have been a Democrat from
birth, might say, and have always
entertained the highest regard for the
freedom of religious belief. But
when church or any other organiza,
ton formulates a creed or advocates
measures which are in contempt Of
law or which are likely to lead its ad.
heren,s to defy the law OF the land,
then it is time that something should
be done to compel obedience to the
laws. Congress has been very leni'
ent heretofore with these people, but
they must be given to understand
that the time has come when they
must obey the laws"
The reporter does not quote His
Honor's exact words; but he is salts
fed that he has stated the learned
gentleman's meaning. But wishing
to be more fully informed the reporter
told Justice Weir that it was current
ly reported that Mormons had this
morning applied for admission to cit
izenship.
"Some 20 persons applied, believe y
responded His Honor. "But none OF
them were Mormons. The matter hav-
ing been preached, they were inter
rogated as to their belief and practises
in regard to polygamy, in order tc
satisfy myself as to their right OF
admission to citizenship. The act OF
Congress upon this subject, amongst
i, other things, declares that it shall be
made to appear, to the satisfaction OF
the Court admitting such alien, that
he has resided in the United States
FIVE years at least, and within the
State or Territory where such Court
is at the time held, one year at least
and that during that time he has be
haved as a man of good moral charac
ter, attached to the principles of TIT
:, Constitution of the United States, ane
well.disposed to the good order ane
happiness of the same. 1t may b.
seriously doubted that persons win
uphold and practise polygamy, which
Il is forbidden by the laws of the land
f under pretense that they do so b.
l. an authority superior to that of tn
Government of the United States, i
o a person Of good moral character, at
|
y tached to the principles of the Con
stitution of the United States, AM
we'll disposed to the good order ant
It happiness of the same. 1t was l.
e satisfy myself as to whether person
. applying fer admission as citizen
. came within the provisions of the Law
upon this subject that l interroyate
them as to their practise OF polyg;
Ia my"