The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-01-13
THEY TALK OF UTAH.
The Arguments Made in
Washington Yesterday.
RICHARDS AGLTATEs WEST
The Liberals Show The White
Feather, and Mr.. Ferry Only
Has Backbone.

There was an interesting matinee IN
Washington yesterday. The Hoast
committee on Territories mace up the
audience, and several prominent resi-
dents of Utah were the actors. The
dispatches given below shed light upon
the matter:
WASHINGTON, January u. - Ehe
House committee on Territories de-
voted a session this morning to hearing
the argument upon the claims of Utah
for admission as State. The element
seeking admission is represented by
Delegate Oaine, Franklin 8. Richards
and j. M. Wilson attorney. In the
opposition are Judge Baskin, Governor
West, E. P, Ferry and Judge Mcbride.
MR.. RICHARDS OPENED THE ARGUMENT
in an address In which he briefly told
of the settlement of Utah, the hard.
ships and suffering undergone by the
Pioneers. He spoke of the growth of
the Territory, and pointed to the large
proportion of people who owned homes
as compared With other sections of the
country. He defended the patriotism
of the Inhabitants, citing the efforts of
their ancestors in the war. Touching
polygamy, he said that since 1882, there
had been ten convictions for plural new
marriages. All of the other con-
Victions were cases of marriage
contracted before the enactment
of the Law. Richards attacked
ha 81 ho
ing him of disappearing the posi-
tons and intentions OF the Mormon
inhabitants of U ali. and perverting
the facts in general to the interest of
the Gentiles. He characterized IS
absurd what he termed the dime novel
stories of Mormon atrocities. No
general prosperity of the real property
holders OF Utah would be Injured in the
admission of Utah as State. Property
would be protected under the State
Constitution as it had been under the
Constitution of the Territory. He did
not mean to censure all the Gentiles
who signed the petitions as many
DID SO UNDER COERCION,
and were honorable citizens. In con-
cIusion, he set out in detail the claims
OF the Territory for admission. The
patriotism and justice of Congress could
no longer keep her loyal people in po--
litical serfdom- He took up the Gov
ernOr's report to the Secretary of the
Interior, and read effidavits to show
that it was incorrect as to the power
of the Church in civil affairs He
quoted from the Church authorities to
show the perfect freedom Of the mem,
bers to vote as they please. and from
the election Jaws to prove that no one
can discover what or whom an eleotol
votes for. Also, that tithing is an en-
tirely voluntary benefit, determined By
the giver, and that the whole Mormon
theory is based on free agency and it
practice. Everything is done by
common consent" thus making the
Mormon Church the most democratic
on the earth.
he DEPRECATED THE G0VERNoR's PRES
ENCE
here for the vile purpose Of trying to
establish an absolutism in Utah, in
which, with a legislative commission,
he would have the power to appoint all
the local Officials.
THE GOVERNOR SHAKEN UP.
WAsHENGToE, Jan. 12-[5DeciSl to TIE
HERALD Richards made q magnii-
cent opening speech before the commit
tee on Territories this morning. He
created a profound impression and
elected intense interest. The five
Liberals declined to follow. Finally
Ferry agreed to speak this afternoon,
and Game in a few days, on the other
side. Judge Wilson will close. The
Governor is much sgitated over Rich
ards reference to his report and press
dispatches.