Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-04-28
NOW HE is UsaAsKED.
The Governor FaVors Further Rob-
berry OF '.Mormons.v

Now that the double-dealing Of
fetal who has 60 long been imposed
on the people Of Utah, and who now
holds the position Of Governor, has
been unmasked in his hypocrisy, he
comes out square on one point-his
desire 10 have the entire ''Mormon''
people robbed Of their franchise be-
cause Of their religious belief. His
mendacity having been made
known, he was compelled TO state
his position; otherwise he might
have gone on in his efforts to injure
the people, while at the same time
pretending to have n friendly feel
ing for them. The following Hesusd
special gives details Of Saturdays
events on this subject:
Washington, April 2s.-In the
House committee on Territories this
morning Judge Jere Wilson made
a powerful Argument against the
Mormon Acknowledgement bill. He
gave history Of the anti-Alormou
legislation from 1862 TO the present
time, showing tho. the object and
intent were 70 suppress polygamy
and not TO interfere with the faith
or religious opinions of members Of
the Mormon Church. He said the
present measure stripped Of its ser
pentine verbiage, was simply a bill
TO disfranchise all the members of
that Church.
Delegate Dubois admitted that
such was the intention. "Then,"
said Mr.. Wilson, ',yOu should amend
the bill by striking all out after the
enacting clause and insert That no
member Of the Mormon Church
shall hereafter hold Office or serve
as a juror,;o He then proceeded,
and for nearly an hour punctured
the proposition from every possible
standpoint showing that il was
contrary 70 the genius Of cur Ann
erican institutions, unnecessary and
unwise. The Judge showed that
even II Mormon took the pre-
scribed test oath there was no pro- |
vision which gave him a right TO |
vote. III he voted he was liable to \
be arrested for perjury, tried and
convicted by jury Of his enemies,
and he had no recourse. He sug-
sested in the event that the COM
mittee should conclude 10 report the
bill favorably, that a provision
should be inserted that II any voter
was convicted CT perjury he should
have the right to appeal to the sup
rene court Of the United States,
said court TO be given Jurisdiction ts
hear and determine all such ap-
peals.
Chairman Struble, before Judge
Wilson had concluded his argu-
ment announced that ex-senator
Saunders, Of the Utah commission,
was present and he wished to give
him a few minutes time. The
chairman also said: Il am requested
by Governor Thomas TO say in reply
TO Delegate Gaines remarks at the
previous meeting, that while he Is
not here for this purpose, but in
behalf Of a public building bill, he is
in hearty sympathy with this meas
ure and earnestly desires its pass
age"
Commissioner Saunders then adj {
dressed the COMMITTEES. Upon be- !
ing asked ifhe favored this measure,
lfter evading the question two or 7
three times and cOnfessing his lack '
II familiarity with Il, Mr.. Springer c
asked him: ado you endorse a (
to disfrSnchise every men, :
Der Of the Mormon ChuIeh.' /
He answered that in his opinion '
his would not do so. @
Delegate Game then nailed the h
question down: "Do you give your +
,fiicial endorsement TO a measure TO &
me and every other
of the Mormon Church
merely for our beliei?''
Saunders answered mo. Then
,fler a few moments Of hesitation n
lie said: 81 am opposed to polyg- :
my; and if this would abolish IL :
10 not know but / would favor it, {
&c said further. 81 felt very hope g
ul at one time that further legisla- a
ion would not be necessary 10 &C
'Omplish the work we have in view
,ut there, because we were led 10 be- v
ieve that many of the stronger e
Tormons were ready to split on their |.
larty and vote at the election. We n
learned The did not state /
howl that they all voted solid and a
hat not one Of them voted with u.s." v
Delegate Game interpnsed: "Ts it Fl
hen because they would not vote q
With you that YOU are anxious TO =
ave them all disfrenchised?' q
AT this point Chairman Struble h
lad the committee adjourned, it
icing very evident that Senator
was not afI0rding much -,
nd to the cause Of Acknowledgement. q
Governor Thomas did not appear o
,efore the committee, as he had g
10 do, but bad very ju- u
sent his message by Chair y
nan Strubie. The comnIittee meet
gain MonJlsy to consider the bill. 2