The sun., 1898-11-09
THE SPREAD OF POLYGAMY

THE SPREAD OF POLYGAMY
Every Political Party in Utah Has One
Or More Representatives of the
Church on the Ticket.-A
Convert Secured
Here.
The fact that polygamy is again sane
toned by the Mormon church and that
this evil is also on the increase, recalls
the appearance of the four elders OF Lat
ter Day Saints in this State not less than
year ago.
These descendants of Brigham Young
and Joseph Smith first made their ap-
pearance at New Castle. this county.
1t was on November II that four meek.
looking men made their appearance at
that place.
The actions of the quartette led to an
investigation, and when it became
known that they had been endeavoring
to gain number of converts in the vicin.
ity amongst the feminine portion Of the
population, q committee ofangry citizens
awaited on them, and the. result was that
the precious quartette suddenly left the
town under threats Of being subjected to
coat Of tar and feathers.
They concluded to shake the dust of
New Castle from their feet, and later ap-
peared at Armstrong;. Corner, near Mid
dletown. Here they were not found out
until they had converted their boarding
mistress, a Mrs. Thomas Handy.
They later atended the Armstrong
church. of which Rev. DR.. Moore is pas
tor, and as their object was known they
were informed that their presence was
not required IN the vicinity.
II was learned this week that num-
Der OF the followers Of the Latter Day
Saints have again appeared in different
parts Of this State, and the indications
are that If they try to gain any converts,
they will be summarily dealt with.
II is a well-known fact that polygamy
has not been stamped out of Utah.
1t still exists in that State, and there
is abundant evidence that it has the
sanction. practically open, of the Nor
mon Church. There is evidence, too,
that the managers of the church are
quietly seeking to obtain, full political
control of the State. Polygamists are
candidates for office ON each of the
tickets now in the field.
The Utah Presbytery asserts its knowl.
edge that polygamy still fourishes in
Utah, and that there thousand or more
children have been born of polygamous
marriages in the last two and one-half
years, since Statehood was granted.
The present candidate for Congress on
the Democratic ticket, B. H. Roberts, Is
openly charged with having three wives
His friends retort that the Republicans
who are SO loudly denouncing him are
not consistent, in that they have had no
word of condemnation for Republican
candidates who are well-known to be as
persistent and active polygamists as the
Democratic candidates.
These charges led to close scrutiny of
the Populist ticket, and it carried the
name of at least one polygamist.
The unanimity with which this class
is represented on the three tickets has
suggested that the managers of the par
ties had been making strong bids for the
poIygamist vote.
When the Mormons are charged with
persisting in their obnoxious practices
they demur to the charge, but do not
deny the allegation. They say that since
October 6, 1890, no polygamous mar
riages have been solemnized under
church sanction, and this statement is
probably incapable of successful contra
diction, but when asked if members of
the church who were polygamists prior
to the public remuneration of the doctrine
by President Woodruff in September,
1890, are still living unlawfully with
their plural wives they evade the qucs-
tion and declare that mans private
family affairs are his own business.
In December, 1890, the First Presi
dency of the Church, consisting of Will
ford Woodruff, George O. Cannon and
Joseph Smith, together with the full
quorum of the Twelve Apostles ad-
dressed an humble petition for amnesty
to the President Of the United States, in
which they recited that President Wood
ruff had, in September, 1880, "in an
gulsh and prayer to God, received per-
mission to advise the members that the
law commanding polygamy was hence
forth suspended" that this was ratified
at the semi-annual conference, held Oc-
tober of the same year, and that the
Mormons desired to be at peace with the
Government and in harmony with their
not of their religious
faith." Then the signers pledged their
faith and honor for the future good con-
duct Of the members.
So strong an impression did this plea
for relief from disabilities imposed ap-
pear to non-Mormons, and so contrite
was the spirit seemingly expressed by
,he language, that the then Governor
md Chief Justice of the Territory and
numerous other Gentiles Endorsed it.
President Harrison issued proclama-
ion of full amnesty on January 4, 1893
upon ''the faithful observ-
lnce OF the laws of the United States
lgalnst unlawful cohabitation, to all per-
IONS liable to the penalties who since
November l, 1890, have abstained from
uch unlawful cohabitation, but upon
he express condition that they shall in
uture obey the laws of the United
stataS hprainhafore named and not