Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-04-24

pollucal slavery without hearing,
without conviction, a quarter OF a
million white American citizens,
most of whom are not even ac-
cused Of any crime. This kind of
suasion has been tried upon people
by the British government for CEN
turles, and we all Lnow the result.
and 1t will fail wherever il may be
attempted"
Mr.. Game referred to the legisla-
tive commission scheme of years
ago and quoted Senator Edmunds'
views upon it as published in the
New York Independent, and claimed
that they we're equally applicable to
the bill now before the committee.
He quoted from the debates in the
Senate during the passage of the
Edmunas- Tucker bill and cited
Senator Edmunds as saying chat
upon a universally recognized prin-
ciple we would not undertake TO in
Ierfere with anybody's faith, doe
trine and worship" and added:
Vow, will any person presume 10
say 10 me that am not interfered
with when l am DISTINGUISHED be-
cause l am member Of certain
order, organization or association?
think not. / am not a lawyer, but
hold such interference to be a
violation Of the Constitution because
prohibiting the free exercise Of re-
ligion. 4 man who is disfranchised
is not free in the exercise Of any,
thing"
The speaker then referred to the
efforts made by the non-polygamous
Mormons 10 place themselves in
harmony with the rest Of the nation.
He showed that the constitutional
convention Of Utah had placed an
anti-polyamy clause in the cOnsti-
tuition which the people ratified. |
The marriage law passed by the leg
islature and the resolution of the !
same body favoring "the enforce |
ment Of the anti polygamy laws as
other laws are enforced, and that I
all such ofIenses be prOhiliiel." He |
quoted statistics which showed that 1
only six convictions for polygamy |
or bigamy had occurred in the |
whole territory Of Utah during the |
year 1859, which included non-MOr- |
mon bigamists as well as pOlyga-
mists. and this, too, nOtwithstand- |
ing the fact that the juries are
especially charged TO use great 4
diligence in making inquiry into
the ollenses Of pOlygamy |
and unlawful cohabitation. Thus |
United States marshals and their /
deputies resort to all means, legal I
and Illegal, TO hunt up Mormons 1
suspected Of polygamOus offenses.
Many arrests Of innocent people are 4
made, and though the niafshals fail /
TO secure convictions, they never fail /
TO secure the fees. OF course deputy /
marshals must live, and Mormons
have no rights and they have few |
friends, so they become an easy prey
TO the fee fiends.
Gentlemen" the speaker said,
tear from this proposition the vail Of
pretense. IL is not TO punish polyg-
amlsts for every such Oaense, suffer-
ing all the pains, penalties and dis
abilities intended TO be inflicted by
this measure. The only persons af-
fected by il are those who have
obeyel every law OF their country,
who have subscribed 10 every re-
quired test, who have given and are
daily giving evidences Of their love
for this government. The title OF
this bill should lie changed 10 read,
"A bill TO punish loyalty for it
seeks TO condemn TO perpetual serf-
dom class Of citizens who
have transgressed no law and whose
political fault, if any, has been trust
fulness in the national government.
When this era Of prescription for
Utah commenced, the loudly pro-
claimed intention was 70 bring the
younger generation into accord with
the government. In good faith they
accepted the governments regula-
tons. They subscribed TO the oaths
and Obeyed the laws, and disfran-
chisement is the proposed reward.
1t is breaking faith without the poor
excuse, doing evil that the good
may come. Mormon prisoners when
before the courts charged with Pc
lygamOus offenses have repeatedly
been told by the judges that all the
requested was that they
should promise TO obey the law, that
the government. did not desire 20
wreak vengeance upon them but TO
correct their morals; that il they
would promise to obey the law in
future they would escape with a
nominal punishment. How differ
ent the spirit of the measure under
consideration Not only are men
to be disfranchised who have never
broken any law but who nave regis
tered an oath they would not do so
hereafter.
"An astonishing element in this
matter is that the measure is seeking
enactment without the endorsement
of any party in Utah or the other
territories. Who wants such legis-
lation? Who asks for it? No one
who has any direct interest in this
question. A few days ago / enquired
Of the governor of Utah, who is here,
and he stated emphatically that he
was taking no part and would not do
50 one way or another. Prominent
men here from Utah equally are
reticent-"
At this point Delegate Dubois in
terrupted the speaker and said that
Governor Thomas, Ex-Governor
West aud members Of the Utah COM
mission who were here all favored
the bill aud thought ii should be-
come a law; that Governor Thomas
had made such a statement before
two or three members Of the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Game replied he would only
repeat what Governor Thomas had
said 10 him, that he (Thomas) had
talked the matter over and had de-
cided 10 take no part either for or
against the bill and then remarked:
"The committee have now both
statements before them and can
judge what kind Of a man Governor
Thomas ISIS
81 have heard this bill originated
with certain Utah Liberal, whose
hatred for the people Of that Terri
tory has doubtless been increased
because his own party, now partial
ly in power there, has seen fit TO
ignore him. 1t is said that he con-
templates leaving Utah and wants
to fire this poisoned arrow that he
may be remembered. This man re-
presents no other but himself. He |
has been recognized for years as
bitter, bigoted and fanatical enemy
of the Mormon people. Is this a
proper source from which 20 re-
ceive inspiration for Legislation?
would you strike down n whole
people at the suggestion OF their
M ost pronounced and bitterest enc
my? For over forty years the peo-
pie Of Utah have enjoyed popular
self-governrnent. VIII it not prove .
a great damage to the Territory to
the bone and sinew Of
It's inhabitants To deprive a man
Of the franchise dries up his aspira-
tions; he has little left 10 excite his
he becomes a political