Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-03-12
THE CURRENT SCANDAL.

The Deseret News has abstalned
hitherto, from taking part in the dis
cussIon which has been INDUCED IN By
the morning papers, occasionod by an
unwlse step taken by young man IN
The SAT- Lake Tabernacle last Sunday,
Il Is due to our readers. perhaps that
some notice should be taken OF the ar
fair since It has stirred up 50 much
commotion
For long time there have been ru-
inors IN circulation about a supposed
plural marriage, said to have been en-
tered into by Judge Henry S, Tanner
and young lady Of this city 1t was
further limited that another young lady
had also contracted plural marriage
With Judge Tanner. Pointed aud spe-
cldc denials were made al the time
when the reports were first IN the air,
and the matter was dropped for the
time being,
On Sunday last, when the contrary
vote If any, was called for, in placing
the names Of the home missionaries
Of the Salt Lake Stake Of Zion before
its quarterly conference, young man
arose and voted against Henry s. Tan
ner He was notified that he could
specify his objections to the Presidency
OF the Stake, ana Monday morning
was named TO him as the time for the
Interview There was nothing IN the
incident to cause any particular stir,
but It revived the old rumors to which
we have referred.
When the matter came TO be investl-
gated, II was found that the young man
was not residing in this stake OF Zion,
and therefore had no right to make
objection In the manner chosen by him
BHt he was heard by the Stake Presi-
fnncy concerning H. ana It was learned
that he had no definite information ON
which to base charge against Elder
Tanner. lie did not accuse him OF
rolygamy. he did not mention the term,
he said nothing about plural marriage;
he ala no. repeat the story that has
been IN circulation concerning Il. He
was shown the improperly Of his ao-
ton ia the Tabernacle, and the proper
course for any member OF the Church
TO pursue II he had Ought against
brother He admitted his indiscre-
ton, and nothing further was done In
the matter, as his course was entirely
out Of order.
II will be observed by careful readers
of the Salt Lake papers which have
announced In naring headlines mat q
"Clty Judge Is Charged with Poly
gamy." and that Samuel Russell made
that charge, as part OF his ground OF
opposition. that MIR. Russell did not
state anything Of the Kind, even to the
papers that resorted 70 the cap-trap
Of those sensational headings. on the
contrary, he has denied making such
an accusation to them or to any one
else.
The statement given by Judge Tanner
10 those papers in response to their In
quirles ought to be sufficient on his
part. The notion that any man, wheth-
er holding a public Office or occupying
a private station. is under obligations
to prove his innocence whenever a
newspaper chooses 20 hold him up 10
public opprobrium is too childish toned
refuiatlon. II there are any charges
against Judge Tanner capable OF proof
there Is an the machinery Of the courts
at the command Of his accusers.
The dragging IN Of the names Of rep-
utable young ladies in the manner re-
sorted 70 by our contemporaries, IS
nothing short OF shameful and the at
tenpts to run them down SO az to force
some statements from them, are 10 be
deprecated and condemned They are
under no obligations 70 satisfy pruci-
ent curiosity, or 20 submit TO reporter.
sal examination. 10 read the comments
OF some papers one would be led 90
euppose that dlslnollnatlon TO rush INTO
print on private matters was In the ma
tuie Of crime.
II ought not to be necessary to rep cat
the euunciauons OF the Presidency of
the Church in regard 10 plural mar.
riages. But we win say once more boy
authority. that no such marriages are
performed by their consent or with their
permission. They declare most cm-
phatically thai they know nothing OF
any such cases as those thai have been
the subject of common rumoc Nethl
OF them has performed or authorized
such contracts or ceremonies. II auy
more direct or emphatic statement ou
that point Is needed, let Il be wordel as
desired and taken for granted The dee
NAL Is positive and complete and covers
the entire ground
II any person or persons have Woe
lated The law against poiygamy they
must abide the consequences They 40 !
so against their own peril They have
not the sanction Of the Church en-
breaking the laws OF the land They
do 80. II at all. entirely on their own
responsibility No one. however should
BE- condemned on common rumor Eyj-
dence s. required to prove a charge
whether IA Church or State. There IL
regular course Of procedure for the
Investigation q crime. Judges Go not
condemn without a. nor DO they make
accusations There are courts in the
Church, governed b. its ruieA. and they