Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-02-16
MORMONS ASK FOR MERCY.
Amnesty Sought for Those Convicted Of
Poiygamy.

WASHINGTON, FL b. .l5.-BitieI denun-
ciaii IN Of Federal -ftice holders in / tah ss
'unscrupulous carpet bsggers" and ''lrre-
sponsible tyrants" marked the hearing on
the UIsh Local Self Government bill be-
fore the Senate Territorial Committee t0dsy.
Incidentally an interesting petition was made
public. 1t is signed by Governor a. L.
Thomas. the president and members of the
Utah commits ION, the judges o. the Terri
torlal courts ard other Federal off 3eholders.
Il asks the President to grant amnesty to
ali members of the Mormon church coz
victed of poiygsmy.
The tirs. speaker at the hearing was c.
c. Kichsrds prominent Salt Lake City
LAWYER He declared that the Federal
ficisls were absolutely unfit 10 admins
ter laws in the territory. Lack OF respou-
sibilIty had caused many wrongs. The
Federal officials were not responsible to
the people and did not perform their duties
fairly and honestly. Lack Of responsible
ity had induced unscrupulous politicians
and fnanciers 10 obtain improper and
slmost absolute control Of the powers of
the executive. II am satisfied" said M.
Richards, chat the presence OF the COM
mission 10 Utah during the past ten years
has done more toward preiudicing the peo-
pie Of the cited States sgsiust the pt ople
Of the territory Of Utsh, and delaying the
solution Of the unfortunate condition Of
aft airs there than all other things combined
The Commission hss lost no opportu-
nifty to speak falsely OF the people of the
territory. II has lest no opportunity Of
irritating them and making ihsm feel that
the fiji aers appointed by the Government of
the | nited .a,es were their enemies rather
than their irleuds 1t mas lost no opp0rtu-
nifty of misconsruing the motives of the
people, of accusing the inaocent with the
guilty, and of making the people OF tbe
country believe the condition of things in
The territory to be much worse than it ever
has been. Congress should feel jnstlt ed
in rot continuing them in oihca.
'Do you mean to say" interrupted Sena-
tor Davis. "ttst Governor Rsmssy and
Senator Paddock sni others. who ware
members Of the Utsh Commission, have
been engaged in ihst kild of business!
II do, most decidedly answered Mr.,
Richards.
j. W. Jutt, an ex District Judge, slso
| protested against the present method OF
government in the Territory. He said that
when he went 10 Utah he csIrred with him
all the prejudices which the people Of the
| States had against the morDons, But he
| fonnd the pre- judiees radically unjust
Judge Just said: Men who do no. live
among the people, who do not understand
them or their ways, are no more capable
| of administering the laws justly than was
| Pontius Plate capable of administering the
| laws Of Judes Governor Thomas, he said,
vetoed everything that did not suit him.
| The members of the L lsh Commission. be
believed, we're honorable men, but they
| frequently acted isnorsnlly through preia-
| dice.
Incidentally the speaker said that the
last poly gsmous marriage urd4r the MOI
mon church took place in 1883. Judge
Jutt informed the committee ths' the sm-
nesty petition hsd been lad before the
| President. when the Federal efhcisls
of the territory" lie said, signed this ps-
per ho. csn il be said thst the people were
nor ready for self government