The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-02-16
THE HOME RULERS
They Are Finding Encourage
ment Among Senator's.
THE PETITION FOR AMNESTY
Causing Comment - Rawlins' speech - The
Fourth Precinct Figures Prominently
Liberal Delegates in Washington.

Home Rule Utah boomers have fallen in
pleasant places. They came on to Wash
lngton with feeling of uncertainty as to
what action Congress might take regard
ing their measure. They were hopeful of
outlook in the Senate was
REGARDED AS VERY UNCERTAIN,
and they did not dare to anticipate that
they would be given more than one hearing
each before two territories committees
As matter of fact they have thus far had
three distinct hearings before the House
committee, and two before the Senate COM
mlttee, the last of these being the hearing
of to-day. Chairman Washington, of the
House committee, has assured them that
Notwithstanding the consideration that has
thus far been granted to them, they shall
have as many more hearings before his
committee as they desire. They now feel
confident that the House will pass their
measure as soon as it shall have been fully
discussed, and they have authority of such
conservative Democrats as Vest, of
Missouri, and Faulkner, of West Virginia
that
All of the delegation are delighted with
the cordial reception that has been given
to them wherever they have gone. And
they are particularly pleased with the ex-
pressions of good will which both Demo-
Gratis and Republicans accord their bill
They appreciate the fact that the more the
situation in Utah is explained to Repre-
sentatives and Senators, the more fully
impressed will the latter become with the
necessity for passing some measure of re-
lief. Tomorrow Mr. Dyer and Judge
Anderson will be heard by the House COM
mittee. 1t is expected that
THE LIBERALS WILL HAVE THEIR HEARING
ON WEDNESDAY,
when an opportunity will be afforded the
Democrats to reply.
The meeting in the Senate territories
committee room this morning was well at
tended. All the Home Rulers were present,
as were also y. w. Powers anu G. E. Allen
OF Salt Lake. Mr.. F. S. Richards made
the opening argument When the hearing
closed on Saturday he had read the mani
festo and interviews Of the first presidency
IN relation to polygamy and to the division
OF The people on national party lines He
proceeded this morning to read some pre-
ample and resolutions adopted by the con-
ference last October, declaring the good
falth OF the people both IS to the abandon
ment of polygaDy and the disclaiming by
the authorities of the cburch's right to
dictate IN political matters. He quoted
from the statement of Judge Zane to show
that conditions were such as to
ENTITLE THE TERRITORY TO ADMISSION,
and said the fact Of the abandonment of
polygamy was now conceded by all the fed
eral officials. He then briefly reviewed the
history of the criminal prosecutions in the
territory under the acts of Congress and
referred to the theory of constructive pro-
hibition and segregation and extreme
agencies employed in producing the condi-
ton Which had resulted in about one thou
sand convictions against the laws of Con-
gress. He claimed that this showed how
few people there were in the territory who
were polygamists. He then insisted that
IN addition to the punishment inflicted on
guilty, the innocent were also being pun
ished. He referred to the seizure of the
church property and the
CONDITION OF POLITICAL SLAVERY
existing in the territory. He claimed that
the people who had endured what these
people had for conscience sake, after hay
ing satisfied all the demands of the law.
could not be declared to be insincere in
promising obedience to them, and he asked
IN conclusion for a measure OF the liberties
that were enjoyed by other people of the
country.
Mr.. Rawlfns followed Mr.. Richards. He
made brief reference to the system of gov
eminent now in force in Utah, showing
that the territory was being treated as if
it were subiugated province with gov
eminent superimposed on her, and whose
officers could feel
NO CONSCIOUS RESPONSIBILITY TO THOSE AE-
FECTED
by their official acts; that it was not neces
sary to consider whether conditions had
beer such as to justify the creation of this
system of government, but It's continuance
could be excused only on the ground of the
most urgent necessity. Conditions which
formerly excused it had passed away. This
had been attested by the conduct and
declaration of the Mormon people; the re-
ports OF the public organs of the territory
and the application for amnesty now pend
ing before the President; the abandon
ment of polygamy and the dissolution of
the church party had come about through
natural influences acting through a con-
siderable space of time. He also gave the
history, as it had fallen under his observa-
ton. of the development of the sentiment
that finally led to the result stated Every
a.
CURED by the nation and by the leaders of
the Liberal or anti-Mormon party in Utah.
Reasons were given why the leaders of
the church would never attempt to resume
control of the political actions of the peo-
pie and why
THE PEOPLE WOULD NOT SUBMIT
to the exercise of such control if attempted,
partisan feeling and enthusiasm once 1ullv
aroused being stronger than even religious
ties or friendship.
Mr.. Rawllns made reference to certain
elections in the county, showing the state
Of feeling of the people upon this subject.
1t had been published that certain things
had trenspired
IN THE FOURTH PRECINCT
OF Salt Lake city at the recent city election
which it was claimed showed the unfitness
of the people for self-government. The
circumstances leading up to the rejection
OF certain persons who attempted to vote
illegally IN accordance with a previous con-
splracy were stated and authorities cited
showing that the exclusion of 'hobos', bv
the judges was fully justified and that
the misconduct was wholly on the
part OF those who resisted the application
OF the people for Home Rule for Utan. The
beneficial effects of Home Rule if granted.
were referred to as showing how much
more satisfactory the result of official
action would be if exercised by persons
who had been selected by the people them
selves. The report of the Utah commits
sion, IN which they held UP to ridicule GER
tain statements in regard to the belief of
tna president OF the Mormon church, was
cited as an act
vIoLATIvE OF THE OFFICIAL OATH
OF the commission. as it was no part of the