Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-01-27


death of the system of poygamy. Yet
they We're startled to learn in 1898 that
Utah had elected as her sole representa-
tive in the house a polygamist, and that
he was moving upon Washington with
q plurality Of wives and multiplicity
of children.
Mr.. Lands resented as unworthy of
belief the charge made, he said, by Sena-
tor Rawlins that the president had ap-
pointed notorious polygamists to office.
The senator might as we'll accuse the
house of endorsing polygamy since 1t
passed a bill appropriating $40, 900 for the
agricultural college at Logan, Utah.
"The president of that college," said he,
"is polygamist, living in open and
notorious polygamy with three wives.
One of his leading professors is poly
gamist, living with two wives. The
trustee is polygamist, living in open
and notorious polygamy with seven
wives, and they have blessed him with
80 children. The president is innocent
and we are innocent because we put
faith in the pledge and promise Of the
pious covenant breakers"
He further asserted that three of the
| members Of the first presidency and 10
of the 12 apostles who signed the petition
for amnesty were polygamists. "Of
these Is leaders who solemnly pledged
their honor and faith for the future
obedience to the law by the church Of
Jesus Christ of latter day saints, three
have probably kept their pledges, name
ly, Wilfred Woodruff, Franklin D.
! Rogers and Anthony H. Lunn. The two
first named at the time of the signing Of
the petition for amnesty We're over 80
years of age and that, for all practical
purposes, barred them by the statute Of
limitation. George Cannon, first coun-
cillor to the president of the church, is
also morally guilty. On the death of
Elizabeth Hoaglin Cannon, his lawful
wife, and after taking unto himself
three additional wives, Mr.. Cannon now
claims to be legally married to one
Caroline Croxall fifth wife, by whom
he has had two children, and he and all
his wives live in suburb near Salt Lake
City, having no neighbors, and it Is
known as Cannonville.
Mr.. Rawlings might have said that
Joseph F. Smith, second councillor to
the presidency, has three women among
whom he distributes the title Of wife,
Mr.. Rawlins might have stated that
Lorenzo Snow, prophet, president, seer
and reveator, took his first two wives
in NauvOO, Ills, over 40 years ago, by
one and the same ceremony-ir block
of two, as it We're. The older of the two
women has since died and he has since
married, in order named, Sarah, Harriet.
Elnor, Mary, Phoebe Minnie and Caro-
line. Would not you like to sit down to
breakfast in that family? Snow is now
living with the youngest and last wife
by whom he had his youngest child dur
ing the winter Of 1396-97, six years after
the manifesto pledging the faith and
honor of the church had been issued.
Moses Thatcher, one Of the apostles
who signed the petition of amnesty, has
three plural wives, two of whom bore
him children, one on Jan. s, 1899, and tbs
other on Jan. II, 1S99 They just lack.r
three days of being twins.
1.-The gentleman from Utah (Mr
Roberts) has been particularly severe OF
the missionaries. do not wonder at it.
The missionary has given attention 20
the polygamist, has stood in his path,
has scattered thorns along his way, and
for this he is branded as a spotter, an
informer and spy. But the gentle
man says, we took these women in good
faith and We should not abandon them.'
There are 2O0O polygamous families in
Utah. Provide for your plural wives.
Take care Of your plural children, but
refrain, for Gods sake, refrain from
multiplying the illegitimates in the
state of Utah."
The other speakers were Messrs. Pow
ers (Rep., Vt) and Miers Dem.. Ind.)
for the majority resolutions, Snodgrass
Dem, Tenn) and Wilson (Sil.-Rep.,
Ida.) for the minority resolutions Lacey
(Rep., Ia.) for his proposition to expel
without swearing in, and CrumpackeI
(Rep.. Ind.) for exclusion by two-thirds
vote.
The speeches greatly strengthened the
majority resolutions, which seemed in
danger Of falling after Mr.. Littlefield's
speech Tuesday, and Chairman Tayler
was confident that they would be adopt.
ed when the house votes this afternoon.