Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-12-13
JOSEPH f. SMITH,
JOHN r. WINDER,
ANTHON Il. LuND.
CONCERNING cLEMENsoN.

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We have received several reports
from Elders in the East and some
newspaper clippings in regard to the
misrepresentation which are being
made by NJ, E, CIemenson OF Logan,
Cache county, Utah, who has been en-
gagged IN similar work to that under
taken by notorious ant-"Mormon'
worker Of unsavory fame formerly in
Mcndon, Cache county, and later in
Salt Lake City, but now In the East
There Is nothing particularly new In
what these persons tell to their hear.
ers at religious meetings specially ar
ranged for them, but their purpose is
to arouse the preiudices Of the public
against our missionaries, to influence
the constituents Of members of Con-
gress to urge them in favor OF anti
Mormon" legislation, and to take up
cash collections.
In some Instances the Elders who
have listened to Mr., Clemenson have
asked the privilege Of replying on the
spot to his untruthful statements, but
his has been denied them. OF course
the chief burden Of his harangues is
the polygamy question, and his object
Is TO make the people who listen to
him believe that plural marriages are
still being solemnlzed In Utah, notwith-
standing the official denials made by
the authorities Of the Church the abb
sence Of any charges of the Kind In the
courts, and the general understanding
throughout this region that there have
been no such marriages since Utah be-
came State, Stories to the contrary
have been promptly met, but this
makes no difference to scandal-mong-
ers. or to persons who are making
money by the PRONUNCIATION OF ISLANDERS
against the 'Mormons" In religious cir
Giles at distance,
We should not, perhaps have entered
Into particulars concerning the tour of
Mr. Clemenson on this business, but for
statement which he made In a meet
ing In the auditorium Of the West
minister Presbyterian church at Min
neapolis, and which we understand he
has since repeated elsewhere The
Elders who listened to his remarks say
that, He made the emphatic state
ment that he held In his possession let
ers wherein Editor C, w. PEN
Csc conceded three cases Of plural
marriage, solemnlzed since the
Issuance OF the manifesto Of 1890. "
Tie did not produce any such
letter. but told number Of unsupport-
% stories intended to corroborate his
Assertions.
The editor Of this paper never TO his
knowledge met Mr.. Clemenson but
once and that was in the street in I.o-
gan when ne was accosted by that
peIson, who volunteered some pretend
d Information rejecting upon our Ia.
nented deceased President William
Mckinley and stating that he had
proofs In his possession OF the com.
licity OF the President in the polyganiy
question, ana that the latter had know,
nsly appointed rolygamists TO fedora
Ulcers In this State. He also entered
nto conversation in regard to allegct
eases Of plural marriage OF compara
lively recent date, which this wrltel
iissented from emphatically.
\ snort time after this street con,
,ersation We received letter from N
V, Clemonson, IN which the folloWin,
Paragraphs occurred
- have thought good deal abou
Nhat you said 10 ne when ! met you Oh
he street recently, relative TO the ces
iation OF polygamous marriage In Utal
ince the Woodruff Manifesto wa,
issued, September e. 1850
Since ] saw you | have had a tan
With a member of the Mormon Churcl
Who said you are mistaken when SOL
affirm that there has been no polyg
NOUS marriages curing the time spec
led September %, 1880"
He named three persons IN who's
asses he said the proof is absolute Il
his county
Coming 90 soon after our couyerga
ion with you on the subject. | decide,
o Wfite YOU because ] may be laboriu.
'nder mistake J am OF opinion tla
'ou placed the limit of the ccsgatlo,
polygamous marriage at the tin,
the Issuance OF the Woodruff Mani
esto,' Am mistaken In this. ID ha
occurred TO ne in view Of what 1 ha,
written above that YOU may have san
nce Mr. Snow has held the Pres,
ien2N or words u that effect"
In reply to this communication IN
GLOWING letter was written and sem
lated August 49, 1901
Rev f. Clemenson.
Logan, Utah
Dear sir.-I am In receipt Of you
atter dated 10Th INST. In reply I hav
say that YOU we're somewhat mis-
aHen es to the remarks | made In cor
laK4