The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-05-18

Fred Simon, Joseph Geoghegan
John W. Donnellan, Arthur Brown
Joseph B. Walden, C. r. Barratt
ID. l.. Anderson. Harry A. PrebendeSch,
Charles E. Theron, James A. Williams,
Louis Cohn, II. A Davis,
W. Il. Gibbs, George A Lowe,
q. M. Forbes, William Burke,
A. q. Norreu, j. w. Farrell & Co..
Samuel j. Nathan George Cullins
w. L. Packard, IT., Thomas K. Stevens,
M. ElSmon, w. o CarbiS.
L. A. Hook, J. A Sanborn.
w. h. Abbott, George Spencer,
j. 5. Gard, Joseph II. Segbers,
d. ID. Cliff, Henry G. Balch.
Henry Siegel, Christopher Dehl
George Arbogast, Arbogast &Trumbo Co.,
a. B. Jones, w J. Paine,
Cyrus L. Hawley, E. T. Taylor,
John Hall, jr., r. Kletting
From thorough study of the mass Of
the Mormon people and an intimate knowI-
edge of them, l do not believe that any such
legislation is called for or justifable at this
time, nor do L believe such legislation to be
in harmony with our American govern
ment. J. w. JUDD.
Commenting on the above, the Euening
Times says:
1.-The Cullom bill, now under considera-
ton in Congress, was framed for the pur-
pose of DISTINGUISHING the Mormons OF
Utah by the wholesale. Since its intro
duction it has of course been the main
u
first it was hailed with delight and
enthusiasm by large number of the
gentiles, who did not take the time to care
fully read and consider the contents of the
bill. Its sweeping character, however
soon became apparent TO the thinking ele-
ment, and then great many gentiles be-
gan hesltatlng aboLt signing the petitions
OF endorsement that were sent out for
| signatures. a counter sentiment gradually
hPpQn N lae
are Of the opinion that the laws provided
for the punishment of polygamy-which is
the main offense against which national
legislation i'll regard to Utah is directed
are rapidly suppressing the evil. Polygamy
Is defined by law as crime, and there is
a punishment provided for it, just as there
is for other crimes. The Times does not
hesitate to say that so far the polygamists
have been very leniently treated. The
punishment is very light indeed. 1t has
evidently been the intention of the govern
ment, owing to the peculiar circumstances
OF the situation, to deal mercifully with
the polygamists of Utah.
'They have been given fair opportun-
lty to reform to abandon their practices
to obey the law. If, in the future, they per-
sist in their practices, the punishment for
this crime should be greatly increased, and
then with rigorous enforcement of the
jaw this detested practice will be as rare
as 1t Is In any eastern state.
Taking this view of the matter the
| question naturally arises whether the pro-
posed wholesale Acknowledgement Of the
Mormons at this time is wise and just
measure. 1t is an undeniable fact that
there are many Mormons who not only do
not practice polygamy, but also who do not
believe in or countenance it. Some of these
Mormons are among our best and most en-
terprlslng business men, and are good citi-
zens. Now, is it fair to disfranchise such
men! We hardly think So Yet there is no
doubt that a large portion of this very
class could be shut out from the privilege
OF suffrage if the Cullom bill becomes law
Utah is emerging from long night of
despotic sway, and it will require united
action on the part of all her citizens to
hasten the dawning Of the daylight that
! will place her in a position of usefulness
that will finally clothe the territory with
the sovereignty of statehood. The Cullom
bill is not expected to do this. 1t will
widen the breech between Gentiles and
Mormons just as the gap was beginning to
narrow, and when there was a near pros
| pect OF its closing entirely. DISTINGUISHED
men are not desirable class of citizens in
any community; and when such men are
| large owners Of property and heavy tax
payers their lack of voice in government
creates a soreness not to be overcome by
concessions made in their favor by the
governing power.
'The object to be arrived at by the pro
| visions of the bill is laudable in itself, but
there are surely other methods to accom-
plish the end than that of wholesale dis
Establishment, under certain conditions
1t does not speak well for the wisdom of
Congress that no other mode suggests it
self to bring into line recalcitrant citizens
whose teachings have led them into errors,