The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-09-17
PROMPT ACTION DEMANDED.

AT their convention in Bingham county,
Idaho. on Friday the Democrats declared
themselves in favor of the speedy restor-
alton of sll law-abiding Mormons to the
rights of citizenship" and pledged them
selves to an early test in the courts of the
oonstltutionality of the state law whereby
the Mormons have been unjustly deprived
of the rights of franchise. That was emil
nently proper and to the point. 1t was
also in line with the declaration on the
subject in the state convention. 1t is now
suggested that something more is needed,
and that prompt action must be taken if
anything is to be accomplished previous to
.he forthcoming election.
Two or three weeks ago the Republicans
made bluff as il they were going to test
the law. A Mormon presented himself for
registration, refused to take the test oath,
and the registrar thereupon declined to
place his name on the voting list. It was
said the case would at once be
taken before the court on a peti-
ton for mandamus to compel
the officer to register the applicant Since
then nothing has been heard of the matter
It may also be mentioned in passing that
the proposition was to take the case before
judge who is on record as most pro-
nounced and unreasonable anti Mormon, a
man who fought the Mormons as an official
and as private citizen, aud who is now
holding iudgeship because of his activity
in depressing the Saints. The Republicans
have recently professed a desire to undo
the vicious work Of which they have been
guilty against the Mormons, and they are
probably sincere in this desire, to certain
extent That is, they are willing to repeal
the law, but they are not willing that the
They do not want the Mormons to vote in
November. believing that il the Saints can
be kept away from the polls on this occa-
sion the party viii retain two years.
lease of power, and viii have time to make
it's peace with those il has oppressed.
THE HERALD does not believe the Repuh-
licans Of Idaho are honest in their profess
sions Of consideration for the Mormon
people, We Go believe the Republicans
want to make it appear that they are dis
posed to deal fairly with the Mormons,
with the view to gaining favor with the
voters of that faith when the franchise
shall be restored, es it certainly win be,
either through the repeal of the infamous
test oath law or the declaring of that law
unconstitutional by the courts.
Assuredly there must be a way by which
decision can be reached in time for these
tabcoed people to act inteiiigently and
within the law at the coming election, and
that way should be found and followed.
otherwise one-third of the voters OF the
state will be denied for two years more the
privilege OF the franchise. 1t may as well
be understood thai no risks will be taken
by the Mormons, no defiance OF the law in
the expectation or hope that they viii not
be prosecuted Some of them took chances
once, with rather disastrous consequences.
and they are not likely TO give their enc
mics another opportunity to pursue them.
If their right to vote is not clearly estab-
lished, we believe they will net attempt to
exercise the franchise. but wilt patiently
endure the deprivation until the wicked IN
hibitlon has been regularly and unmistaka-
bly, removed.
The Democrats will thus understand the
Importance of prompt actica in this matter.