Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-11-03
PECULIAR PROCEEDINGS,


A meeting was held In the Grand
Theater on Sunday afternoon at when
n large number of people Of various
nativlties, languages and beliefs assem-
bled, some out OF curiosity to see ana
hear what was TO be done, others I'M
bued with the idea that the matters 70
be presented were Of great Importance
and some who were not connected win
the Mormon" Church, 10 aid by their
presence, sympathy and applause any
thing that might be said or done antag-
onistic to that Church, A synopsis OF
the proceedings will be found In another
part Of this issue Of the News"
The person who figured as the leader
IN the movement and who made the
principal address, IL not recognized as
member OF the Church, ne having
been communicated by the High
Council of the Cache Stake of Zion more
than five years ago. The reference
made at the meeting to the then presi'
dent Of that council AZ having cut that
person on the Church was entirely mis-
leading, as was the reference In the
same manner to the president OF the
Salt Lake stake Of Zion as having de-
clded the case against Otto Rydman,
because no one man can do anything
OF the kind, II was the High Council OF
twelve men, presided over by three
presidents, who In each case, acted
unanimously after hearing the evidence
and Judging II impartialy.
There Is no fairer or more righteous
tribunal on the face OF the earth than
High Council In the Church OF Jesus
Christ OF Latter-day Saints 1t is COM
posed OF twelve High Priests presided
over by three Presidents, all Of whom
are chosen for the purpose, and sus-
tanned by the body Of the Saints at q
conference OF the Stake In which they
are called to act. All parties to a case
before that body are given ample OPP
portunity TO present anything bearing
upon the matter In dispute.
In an appeal from Bishops court
there are two modes OF procedure,
either of which may be followed as the
council decides, after hearing the min.
utes of the Bishops court. One is to
take the minutes OF the trial, and after
they have been canvassed and accepted
by both sides as correct, TO pass judy
nent as TO the justice and wisdom or
otherwise Of the decision OF the Bishop
and his counselorsi to affirm It, or re-
ject II, or modify II as the council may
determine. The other course IL. n the
minutes are objected to by either Of
the parties, TO hear the case do novo.
on Its merits, going over the whole case
from its beginning.
In the Rydman case the minutes Of
the Bishops court were acknowledged
TO be correct. for number OF sessions
had been held, and at each succeed.
ing meeting the minutes OF the
former meeting were read and
accepted, by all parties and correc-
lions made in one instance before ac-
tcptance. The accused had full oppor.
tunity TO present before the High Coun.
ell everything he had introduced In the
bishops court. He read yolumlnous
manuscript, commented upon all the
testimony that had been given. read
from his paper, the Korespondenten, a
number Of extracts and at the close
OF the proceedings made the final
| speech, In his own behalf, going over
the ground OF his defense, and using
strong language TO enforce his opinions
and express his anger against his ac-
cusers. He aided strongly In proving
the charges against him which were OF
unchristianllke conduct In assaillng,
misrepresenting. and cartooning a num-
Der of his brethren, OF causing Olsen.
sion among the Swedish Saints. and OF
acting contrary TO a decision rendered
by the Presidency and High Council OF
this Stake at his former trial
The people who at the mass meeting
signiAed their support Of his course.
and thus sat In Judgment upon the
Bishops court and the High Council
that acted on his case, did so simply
on one-sided presentation, made by
him and his associates, without know
ing anything OF the evidence adduced
gainst him, much Of which he virtual
~ acknowledged and emphasized at the
trial They therefore showed great
lack o. wisdom and consistency. They
were also led astray by the introduce
hon of q matter which Is separate and
distinct from the subject OF the decision
ngainst him.
The petition adopted by the meeting
contains a number of grave errors Of
faet and the appeal to the First Presi-
kcncy in reference to the case OF Otto
5sydman is entirely out Of place, Sc -
1g that he has expressed his intention
I asking the First Presidency to re-
iew the proceedings OF the High Coun
u. and has the right TO do so, while
rec !ng OF the character disclosed In
he utterances OF the speakers is ep-
irciy ont OF order, is unnecessary and
bikes up subjects that are Irrelevant
nd that have nothing to DO with th'
ase In point
The First Presidency may order up
Ne minutes Of the High Council in
be Rydman case for review, but that
BODY does not sit as a tribunal to hear
Inc decide such cases. The Presidency
Iovld &C, just as quickly and justly