Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-04
Judge AndersOn's Decision.

In bis decision Judge Anderson states
the ground OF his opposition to the ad-
mission OF applicants to citizenship to be
that the Mormon church is, and always
has been. reasonable organization in it's
teachings, and it's practices are hostile
to the government OF the United States,
disobedient to it's law, and seeking it's
overthrow; that the oath administered to
it's members in the endowment house binds
obedience IN all things temporal, as well as
spiritual to the priesthood. and to avenge
the death OF the prophets, Joseph and Hi
pie OF the United States.
The judge reviewed at length the evidence
submitted by the government regarding
the endowment house cersm onies, teach
ings OF the church, etc. Referring to tho
testimony OF witnesses for the Mormons,
he said all of them testified concerning the
endowment ceremonies, but declined to
state what oaths we're taken or obligations
or covenants entered into or penalties at
tached to the violation, while some stated
they had forgotten what was said about
avenging the blood OF the prophets. These
evasions, the judge says, rendered testi-
mony of little value, and tended to con.
firm the evidence offered by the obiectors
to the applicants. The evidence estab.
fishes beyond any reasonable doubt that
the endowment ceremonies are inconsist-
ent with thu oath of citizenship.
The application OF John Moore and
and Walter Edgar, both OF whom went
Al. 10 Iouio1
As to the admission OF the other applicants
bers OF the Mormon church, large mass Of
evidence was introduced, consisting mostly
of sermons and the writings of Mormon
rulers and leaders published under the
direction OF the church.
The Judge continues: 81 think there can
be no question but that the church claims
and exercises the right to control the MEM
hers in temporal as we'll as spiritual
affairs. The evidence also shows that
blood atonement is one OF the doctrines OF
the church."
The Judge quotes Brigham Young at con-
siderable length and refers especially to his
denunciation OF the government when. in
1872. United States troops were sent to
Salt Lake City.
In summing up he says: whether the
Language of Brigham Y Young, ,Heber Kimball,
| Orson HYDE and others instigated the
Mountain Meadow massacre or whether
that horrible butchf ry was done by the dl-
rect command OF Brigham Young will pro-
bably never be known. The evidence, j udge
Anderson SAYS, does not sustain the claim
of counsel that the feeling OF the people
toward the government has undergone a
change, and that in later years the feeling
OF hostility has disappeared or become great
ly modified. The evidence shows that the
church has, in the most determined man.
per and with all the means at its command
opposed the enforcement OF the laws OF the
United States against polygamy and un-
lawful cohabitation. Not word OF evil
dence was introduced showing that any
nreacber that the church ever, in g. single
instance. advised the obedience OF laws
against polygamy. On the contrary the
evidence showed it has persistently refused
obedience to, at least a portion OF the laws
of this government; has insulted and driven
limited States officers from the territory;
has denied authority OF the United States
to pass laws prohibiting polygamy as an
unwarranted interference with the Mormon
religion. Undoubtedly there are many
members OF this church who feel friendly TO
the government and would gladly break
the shackles that bind them, il they dared
| but with an OrgdnlZSGlOu uOi on"A ooA
| imagined which can be welded against
!, them, they remain in the church rather
than take the risk of financial ruin and
social ostracsm.
After reciting the teaching of the church
at length the judge says: ut has always
been and still is the policy OF this govern
ment to encourage aliens, who in gooc
faith, come to reside in this country to be
come citizens, but when a man OF foreigr
birth comes here and joins the organiza
tion which, professedly religious, require!
OF him allegiance paramount to his al
, legiance to the government: an organlza
tion that impiously classes to be tn
, kingdom Of God; to control its member
3 under his immediate direction and ye
. teaches and practices a system OF moral
q sho wing to the christian people everywher
| IL ia time for the courts to pause and IN
ouire whether such men should be admit
ted to citizenship. The evidence in this cas-
establishes unq lestionably that the teach
ipes, practices and purposes OF the Mormo
!, church are antagonistic to the goverDmen
D OF the United States; utterly subersive G
. good morals and the well-being OF society
and that its members are animated by tn
feeling OF hostility toward the government
and it's laws; therefore, an alien who is
+ member OF said church is not fit perso
to be made citizen OF the United States