The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-17

MORMONS AND POLYGAMY.
Dew. DR.. 5. e. Wishard, of Utah, Talks
of the Roberts Case.

Rev. DR.. S. E. Wishard, superintendent
of home missions for Utah for the Presby-
terrain Church, is in the city the guest
of his brother, DR.. w. II. Wishard, on North
Capitol avenue. DR.. Wishard is a man of
great intelligence, dignifed presence and en-
thusiastic in his work. in which he has made
a great success. While not East for that
purpose, yet he is improving each oppor-
tunity of bringing before the public the
question of the seating of Brigham H.
Roberts, the polygamous representative
elect from Utah. In speaking of the case
last evening DR.. Wishard said:
rRoberts, or Elder Roberts as he is known,
IS graduate of the university at Salt Lake
city and has some gifts of oratory. He
was prominent member of the cOnstitu-
t1onal convention, spoke for the constitution
there formulated, voted for it and signed it.
In that constitution is one clause which
prohibits polygamy, and another that pre-
vents the church from interfering with the
State. He never abandoned polygamy and
went from the convention to his wives. He
has three wives now and we collecting
proof that he has four. All of these wives
are bearing him children, and it was but
a short time ago that one of them presented
MIN with twins The Republicans NOM
mated a Mormon bishop who has but one
WlIe, ana the Democrats nominated Roberts.
There was much opposition to Roberts, but
he was elected by over 5000 plurality. One
lady delegate objected to him on the floor
domestic duties required him to stay at
home The Salt Lake Tribune attacked him
on account of his plural wives, not on ac-
count or his religion, fought him consistent
ly through the campaign, but in spite of all
opposition, he was elected by a big plurality.
Mrs. Matte Cannon, q member of the State
Senate pleaded With the women for Roberts.
Roberts does not deny that he has three
wives. and it is the evident intention
to an issue. The feeling in favor
statehood has been attained there is no way
to reach it. Statehood was great mistake
and 1t was attained by trickery and political
influence. Both parties expected to gain
something from it, and the Mormons
| claimed to have a revelation that polygamy
| should be abandoned, so the Washington au-
thorities believed it. Roberts is not entitled
to his seat, because he is not a citizen. He
was confined in the penitentiary for polyg
| amy under the Edmunds-Tucker law, and
| thus disenfranchised. The proclamations
| of both President Harrison and President
| cleveland enfranchised those who had been
| imprisoned, only on condition that they
would give up polygamy This Roberts has
never done: There are about about two thousand
| We investigated twenty-one precincts, and
| from the returns received and comparison
of the population of the State, we arrive at
| those figures. All Mormons believe in it, as
! 1T is a part of their religion, although they
do not all practice it. The ministers of all
denominations have sent a protest to WASH
ington against the seating of Roberts, and
to meet the evil of polygamy we are en-
deaVOring to get an amendment to the Con-
n.onogamy shall be the only legal marriage
In this way it can be brought under the
law. There is law in Utah against it, but
it is an old territorial law which was slipped
in by the codifying commission, and which
Roberts himself says it was intended to
leave out 1t is ineffective, as there are
10000 Mormons in the State to 10000 nom
mormons, and they control the courts and
oil offices. Roberts is one of the seventy"
The Mormons believe all the officers are a
part of God, and he is so regarded One of
his books has been approved by the council,
and so has become part of the Scripture,
which they accept as | do my Bible. The
case of Roberts is the first step of the Nor
mons toward defying the government to see
what it intends to do about it. :"
At the Methodist preachers meeting at
Meridian-street NJ. E. Church, Monday
evening at 10 o'clock, the Mormon question
will be the subject of the hour Rev. DR..
Wishard will address the meeting in the in
terest of the movement against polygamy
and polygamous congressman: All the min
listers of the city and vicinity have been
asked to attend and make this meeting a
united protest against Mormonism.