The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-11-23

enacted for the express purpose OF sup
pressing polygamy, and was Justified
alone upon the grounds that the pro-
rerty and funds would be used in the
support and aid of that unlawful in
stitution. The church has abandoned
the practice of polygamy and no
longer teaches it, or permits its men,
bers to enter INTO the relation. There
is left neither reason nor excuse, in
my judgement, for taking from the
Mormon church and people this pro-
perty, and it ought to be restored to
them The courts should no longer
be numbered with the question of its
disposal and the fund consumed in
costs Of litigation. The Mormon peo-
ships and privations of pioneer frontier
life through many weary years
by their voluntary subscriptions created
this fund.- and when it is beyond all
question that 1t would be devoted to
no unlawful purpose, but to commen-
dable and charitable uses, it ought to
be returned to them. Such fair and
just action by Congress would give
great satisfaction to the people Of
the territory and encourage and
strengthen the constantly growing sem
timent Of cordiality and good feeling
among the people. I earnestly urge
that Congress be recommended to
promptly pass the desired relief, be-
cause HE gives twice who gives
quickly"
STATEHOOD FOR UTAH.
This territory has been settled for
almost a half century. The pioneers
came to the site of the present city
of Salt Lake on July "a, 1S47 Our
state of probation has been long Our
schooling for statehood full and COM
pIete. AS illustrative of our proba-
tionary period I quote as follows from
an article on the subject of statehood
for Utah. by the Hon. George Q. Can
non, in the May number of the Utah
Monthly Magazine:
We are today passing into the fourth
generation-not of time, but of people-in
teal observation what the glories of our
free institutions in America mean. l have
in mind the case of a man who came to
Utah very soon after he had reached his
majority. Almost his sole relation to the
political affairs of the United States has
been through the medium of territorial
government. which is merely a form of
political slavery for the inhabitants. His
son was born in Utah in 1S4S or 1S49 and
has dwelt here all his days. That son s
son was born in Utah in 1870. And that
grandson's son is here to grow into boy
hood and eventually into maturity If he
shall live-without experiencing in himself
one throb of the mighty exultation which
comes to the free born, unless Utah shall
receive her rights or unless he shall re-
move from kindred and home to find a
larger sphere for the exercise of ability
and patriotism.
We now have a population of about
240, 000 An assessed taxable valuation
of Sos, 000, 900. It is scarcely necessary
to dilate upon or go into particulars as
to Utah's population, wealth, stability,
and material development emitting her
to statehood.
It is fully covered and established by
the favorable reports made to the
House of Representatives from its
committee on territories at the first
and second sessions of the late Con-
gres, and indeed it is now conceded by
all as indisputable. Our population is
active, enterprising, Industrious, and
thrifty and will compare favorably in
all the elements of good citizenship
with any people
Our Improvements, both public and
private, are upon a liberal and gener-
Gus SCALE commensurate with our
wealth and ability. Educational and
school advantages are good and con-
stantly being improved. We have an
enlightened. well ordered. strong, self
sustaining community, enjoying all the
advantages and comforts of modern
cultivation ana clVlllZdllOH-
I suppose it will not be disputed, but
for the teaching and practice of polyg-
amy, and as commended. the existence
and rule of a political party in the ter
ritory under the direction and control
of the Mormon church and its priest
hood, Utah would long ago have be-
come a sovereign state. AS hereinbe-
fore stated the practice of polygamy
has been absolutely abandoned. The
Peoples or Mormon Church party has
been Dissolved and no longer has either
an organization or membership. The
highest authorities of the Mormon
Church. their chief men and leaders,
upon all proper occasions have pub
licly denied that they claim the right
to-, or do, or will attempt to exercise
any church influence or power to con-
troll the political action of its members.
1t would seem that with the removal
of the only causes heretofore hindering
and obstructing admission, and a con-
slant increase in population, wealth
and development of the territory, that
none should now be found to oppose
Utah's entering the Union.
It is true, however, that a small min
ority continue to interpose objections
to the comforting of this great boon
upon the territory. Those composing
it found their opposition upon a doubt
as to the sincerity of the Mormon peo-
pie in the action they have taken to-
ward the settlement of the old ques-
tons of disturbance. Compelled to adj
nit the actual occurrences which have
taken place within their own know
ledge, they take counsel Of their pre-
judice and fears, and deny to the Nor
mon people the common justice OF
being judged according to their decla-
rations and deeds. ascribing to them