The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1904-04-23


Washington few days ago, but that gentle
man positively declined to be interviewed, pre-
ferring TO stick to a resolution made some
time before. AS this correspondent desired
nothing more than general Information, Mr.
Smoot sent the lady to Hon. Joseph Howell
Utah's representative and a native of Cache
county. The interview with Mr.. Howell APP
peared In both the New York World and San
Francisco Chronicle.
According to Kate "the proxy interview
took place in the Mormon Representatives.
private sitting room at the Dewey Hotel. She
says
81 began by referring to the incident of Sena-
tor Shoots mother and the handcart, and
that evoked from Mr.. Howell a little historical
sketch of the Mormon emigrants emerging from
the mountains those red mountains that look
so savage and desoate from the Union Pacific
Ralway-and looking out upon Salt Lake val
ley. That was on July -, lS47 -Utahs natal
day. Brigham Young, who had been sick
announced that he had received revelation
that this was the destined home OF the Latter
day Saints, and raising himself on his cot as nc
surveyed the barren prospect, he said, "Bear
little to the right"
But the Mormonism of ~ was not so much
TO the point as the Mormonsm OF To-Day
gently approached the subject OF polygamy
Mr.. Howell responded with perfect frankness
He has a. vigorous way of emphasizing his
points by humping the arm OF his chair.
This will say" he said: "Thc BEST the
most exemplary men among us, the men of
the most profound moral convictions and per-
sonal uprghtness, the men of greatest intel.
lectual and spiritual caliber-in a word, the
men who were natural leaders-have been
polygamists"
you're an exception to that" interrupted
Mr.. Howell's secretary with smile.
Mr. Howell waived the exception and intro
duced me to the secretary-an agreeable and
intelligent Young man, son of the Mormon
president George Q. Cannon-who thereafter
took part in the conversation.
''There has never been in the history of man
kind" continued Mr. Howell, "a system of
polygamy comparable to ours, unless it was
among the ancient patriarclIs'
IN DEFENSE OF PoLyoAMY.
He thumped the arm of his chair. The
secretary nodded. settled myself to- listen
attentivey-therc was no need for prompting.
"The man entering into polygamy feels that
ha 10 ipu mn
father of two families or more as the case may
be, must be a wise man, Just man, a man of
wholly remarkable virtues and talents. II he is
to succeed-and such were the men that did en-
ter into that state. 1t means life OF self
denial, of entire conservation to others. 1t
means having every step scrutinzed, never
taking an unwise course have never been
in poygamy myself"
'But you had the opportunity" interrupted
young Mr.. Cannon the secretary.
What he meant was that at the time of the
passage of the Edmunds act prohibiting poly
gamy Mr. Howell was old enough to have al
ready acquired as many wives as he pleased.
"Well, was % years old at that time" said
Mr.. Howell, obviously.
AS the Edmunds act was passed in 1882, the
Representative is ~ years of age Senator
Smoot might be anything from 80 to 40.
For my part, never felt that possessed
the commanding moral qualifications for as
Stunning that solemn obligation" continued
Mr.. Howell, "but | can imagine the feeling of
responsibility and sclfsacrifce with which
would approach it. The man who makes "A
failure of a plural marriage-the man who
fails to retain the affection and respect of his
wives and children-loses caste in the commun-
ity"
80 there are failures?" | interposed
81 have known Of such" replied Mr.. Howell,
gravely. Have you not known of failures
among homogeneous marriages."
Have you, gentle reader?
"What do you mean by plural marriage be-
ing successful?' l asked.
III mean happy adjustment of relations
among all parties and the rearing OF large,
healthy and prosperous family: the sons of the