Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-06-17
THE SITUATION DEFINED.

In their official report TO the Sec
Rotary Of the Interior for lsS7, the
Utah Commission said:
1.-The majority Of the Morinons arc
a kindly and hospitable people. They
possess many traits Of character
which are well worthy OF emulation
by others. In their local affairs they
strive 10 suppress the vices which are
common 10 settled communities. In
matters Of religion they are intensely
devotional, rendering a cheerful
obedience 10 Church rules and re-
qui7ements. They possess many Of
the elements which under a wise
leadership would make them a useful
and prosperous people"
Because OF this ami other con-
siderations set forth, Hons. 4. b.
Carlton and J. !. McCleruand, the
minority Of the Utah Commission,
refused IN 1sSS to concur in the
recommendation that many Of the
local officers now elected by the peo-
pie should be appointed 10y the Gov
ern0r, and in their report for that
year remarked:
I; is obvious that the laws Of Con-
gress and Of the Territorial Legisia-
turs, the officers in charge Of the exc
cUuon % the Federal statutes. the
people Of Utah including the Cen
tiles and the homogeneous MorInons,
with many o.her benefcent influences,
s Icn As railroads teIcgraphs, schools
colleges, AID the invinci5le progress
OF civilization, are rapidly and surely
working on, a reformation Of the in
hibitei sexual oIenses IN Utah; and
there aces no; R0J7 scc71 10 De anu
necessity orprQprie,y for further Ecgis-
la,i0a restrictive Of psli.ical rights in
that Territory.
We are thoroughly satisfied that
the work Of reformation in Utah is
Progressing rapidly and that it will
soon result III successful issue
withyu, "a resort 10 legislation that
is Hr-sc.ip.ivr Of religious opinion.
UuE view may be epitomized in n
few words: PltniSb criminal actions:
but rsiig5yzs ere. ds, Heucr.
In his separate report for 1859
Gen. MCClernaDd saws:
Il have already said tina. existing
laws are working well and have cited
accumulated proofs OF the fact. To
lie. well enough alone i a wise aud
s5t5 rule. I would therefore recon-
mend general adherence TO it. Further 4
aggressive Legislation ;rcnching fur
ther upon civil and political privi- |
leE=s would be injurious rather than
beneficial. It would be regarded by I
tie people affected rs revolutionary |
and despo.ic. SlvorinG under the
circumstances Of persecution for re-
l!=ious opinion, :. would provoke a
saiien and Teac,ionary mood. Such
mas been sEe eaec; OF like legislation.
NJ re- sion was ever finally DESTROYED
ei,he- py armed or uuarmed proscrip-
zion. The blood Of the martyr IS the I
seed OF the church.
Gen. NcCIe-nauf appends the
correspondence:
F-sa. H.7. Cia-'cs s. zaae.
osTlc- OF THE UTAH COMMISSION.
Sal; Lake City, August 10, 1857. I
Dear sir-Iu view OF your Erel: ox- /
pCuCnrs and eminent service rs a
judge in this Territory, I beg leave 10
ask = You a-i.' answers, as matter OF
useiu. Information, 20 the following
questions:
+ Whether, III your opinion, the
existing laws. diligently enforced. may
be reasonably relied or 10 work the
cessation II poiy=amy Is a practice?
% Whether any case originating in
the commission Of the crime Of poly
Samy since the date OF the Edmunds- {
Tucker act mas come under your judi
cial notice?
3 Whether, IN your opinion. the
alternate provisions OF That act. ex-
lending the electoral franchise TO those
complying with their conditions and
denying 10 10 those not complying
wiki them Tor who ars otherwise dis
Iualihsdr have materially prompted
he present movement Tor a consti,u-
ional inhibition Of p8lygamy?
Your obedient servant,
JoHN 4. MoCLEHHAxD. :
Hon Charles :. Zane.
Uaiiei states JudSe Third District. G
Tlah Territory.
To the frs, question prnpounded /
within / answer yes. c
To tine second question ! answer no. \
To the third question I answer yes.
C. :. ZASE.
From H7s. Wl.tang Z. Bg,gT4n. Il
'FFICE OF TIE UrAu COMMISSION.
SslJ Lake City, August &c. ISL. :,
Dear Slr-PermIt me to inguir. >
he-iiar' from personal and official
ossrya;ion, You are Of opinion tbar :
he laws ofihe United States are work %
* with increasing aud encouraging
-irct a reformation Of the practice OF 81
olysamv in This Territory? II
Your obeiIent servant. II
JoHS A. MCCLERxASD. te
SAT- LAKE. CITY, UTAH, 70
August II. 1857. til
NV Dear Generality answer 10 %
'ove interrogation is a decided YES. Al
he change in Mormon sentiment in ~
e last year has been marked and en- u
on the question Of the sup
e~si1n and abandonment, OF poIvr- -
ny. Truly. your friend, :.
VIZ. G. BOWMAN. :,
L. :. Surveyor-General. ="
on. William G. Bowman. 10
SIrveyor-General United States pr
Utah Territory. vi
the Territorial legislation t =
iieh Commissioners Carlton an !"
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